Ecology Flashcards

Front

Abundance

Back

The number of individuals present in each group relative to the total number of individuals in all groups within a community.

Front

Autotrophs

Back

Organisms that can produce their own food, typically through photosynthesis; also known as producers.

Front

Biodiversity

Back

A measure of the variety of life that occurs within an ecosystem, including the number of different species and the number of individuals within those species.

Front

Biodiversity Index

Back

A quantitative measure of biodiversity, often calculated as the number of species divided by the total number of organisms.

Front

Carbon Cycle

Back

The biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth.

Front

Carnivores

Back

Consumers that obtain energy by eating only other animals.

Front

Cellular Respiration

Back

The process by which organisms break down glucose and oxygen to release chemical energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water.

Front

Chemical Energy

Back

Energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds, such as glucose and ATP.

Front

Chlorophyll

Back

A green pigment found in chloroplasts that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.

Front

Chloroplast

Back

An organelle in plant and algae cells where photosynthesis takes place.