Ecology Vocabulary

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Biosphere

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The portion of the planet in which living things are found.

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Autotroph

Back

An organism that produces its own food supply from inorganic compounds.

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Sunlight

Back

The original source of almost all energy in most ecosystems.

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Abiotic Factors

Back

Non-living components of an ecosystem, such as water, sunlight, dirt, and air.

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Consumer

Back

An organism that needs to eat other organisms to obtain energy.

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Ecosystem

Back

A community of living organisms and their interactions with their environment.

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Biome

Back

A large geographical biotic unit, a major community of plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions.

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Heterotroph

Back

An organism that cannot produce its own food and must consume other organisms.

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Producer

Back

An organism that can make its own food, typically through photosynthesis.

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Detritivore

Back

An organism that feeds on dead organic material, especially plant detritus.