5.9A Ecosystem Interactions

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What is an ecosystem?

Back

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with each other and their nonliving environment (air, water, soil).

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What are abiotic factors?

Back

Abiotic factors are the nonliving parts of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, water, temperature, and soil.

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What are biotic factors?

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Biotic factors are the living parts of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

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What is a food chain?

Back

A food chain is a sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in an ecosystem.

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, showing how different organisms are related through feeding relationships.

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What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

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Decomposers break down dead organisms and waste, returning nutrients to the soil and helping to recycle matter in the ecosystem.

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What is a habitat?

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A habitat is the natural environment where an organism lives, providing food, shelter, and mates for reproduction.

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What is the difference between a population and a community?

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A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area, while a community is made up of different populations of various species living together.

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What is symbiosis?

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Symbiosis is a close relationship between two different species that live together, which can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral.

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What is competition in an ecosystem?

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Competition occurs when two or more organisms vie for the same resources, such as food, water, or space.