Chapter 3

Energy and Matter in Ecosystems

adaptation – an inherited trait or characteristic that helps an organism

survive

endangered species – a species, or kind of organism, close to becoming extinct

extinction – the death of a species

American Lion

Labrador Ducks

Passenger PigeonCuban Red Macaw

habitat – the natural environment where an organism lives

niche – the role of an organism in its habitat

pollution – harmful substances that have been added to the environment

population – all the members of the same type of organism living in an ecosystem

predator – an animal that hunts and eats other animals

prey – an animal that is hunted and eaten by predators

symbiosis – a close, long-lasting relationship between two species

Oxpeckers eat the parasites off of large animals like this African buffalo. But they're also parasites themselves, keeping wounds open and picking at scabs.

mutualism- when both organisms benefit, but none are harmed

The clownfish benefits from the anemone’s protection. Many fish won’t go near it because of the anemone’s sting. That means the clownfish won’t be eaten. The anemone benefits because the clownfish scares away butterfly fish. They are some of the fish that actually eat anemones .Without the clownfish there, the butterfly fish would eat the anemone.

Parasitism- one organism benefits and the other one is harmed

With ticks and head lice, the host animal can be harmed from disease or weakened.

Commensalism- only one organism benefits, but the other is not affected

This is a cattle egret. They will follow cattle and other livestock. As cattle, horses, and other livestock graze on the field, they cause movements that stir up various insects. As the insects are stirred up, the cattle egrets following the livestock catch and feed upon them. The egrets benefit from this relationship because the livestock have helped them find their meals, while the livestock are typically unaffected by it.

threatened species – a species that may become endangered without protection

Which word means all the members of the same type of organism living in an

ecosystem?

population

Quiz Time!adaptation, endangered species, extinction,

habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator, prey, symbiosis, threatened species

Quiz Time!

Which word means a species that may become endangered without protection?

threatened species

adaptation, endangered species, extinction, habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator,

prey, symbiosis, threatened species

Quiz Time!adaptation, endangered species, extinction,

habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator, prey, symbiosis, threatened species

Which word means an inherited trait or characteristic that helps an organism

survive?

adaptation

Quiz Time!adaptation, endangered species, extinction,

habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator, prey, symbiosis, threatened species

Which word means a close, long-lasting relationship between two species?

symbiosis

Quiz Time!adaptation, endangered species, extinction,

habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator, prey, symbiosis, threatened species

Which word means a species, or kind of organism, close to becoming extinct?

endangered species

Quiz Time!adaptation, endangered species, extinction,

habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator, prey, symbiosis, threatened species

Which word means an animal that is hunted and eaten by predators?

prey

Quiz Time!adaptation, endangered species, extinction,

habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator, prey, symbiosis, threatened species

Which word means the death of a species?

extinction

Quiz Time!adaptation, endangered species, extinction,

habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator, prey, symbiosis, threatened species

Which word means the natural environment where an organism lives?

habitat

Quiz Time!adaptation, endangered species, extinction,

habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator, prey, symbiosis, threatened species

Which word means an animal that hunts and eats other animals?

predator

Quiz Time!adaptation, endangered species, extinction,

habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator, prey, symbiosis, threatened species

Which word means the role of an organism in its environment?

niche

Quiz Time!adaptation, endangered species, extinction,

habitat, niche, pollution, population, predator, prey, symbiosis, threatened species

Which word means harmful substances that have been added to the environment?

pollution