Ecosystem Vocabulary

Front

What are limiting factors in an ecosystem?

Back

Limiting factors are conditions that restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism or a population within an ecosystem. Examples include predator population, prey population, water supply, and available space.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Front

What are abiotic factors in an ecosystem?

Back

Abiotic factors are the non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems. Examples include rivers, rain, temperature, and soil.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Front

What does homeostasis mean in the context of ecosystems?

Back

Homeostasis refers to the ability of an ecosystem to maintain a stable and balanced internal environment despite external changes.

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an ecosystem can support sustainably without degrading the environment.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Front

What is a feedback loop?

Back

A feedback loop is a process in which the outputs of a system are routed back as inputs, creating a chain reaction that can amplify or dampen changes within the system.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

Front

Define biotic factors in an ecosystem.

Back

Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem that affect the population and community structure. Examples include plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Front

What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?

Back

Biotic factors are living organisms in an ecosystem, while abiotic factors are non-living elements such as climate, soil, and water.

Front

How do limiting factors affect population growth?

Back

Limiting factors can restrict population growth by reducing the availability of resources such as food, water, and space, leading to competition and potential decline in population size.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Front

What role do abiotic factors play in an ecosystem?

Back

Abiotic factors influence the types of organisms that can survive in an ecosystem, their distribution, and their interactions with biotic factors.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Front

Explain the concept of ecological balance.

Back

Ecological balance refers to the state of equilibrium between living organisms and their environment, where species coexist and resources are used sustainably.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5