Ecosystems Vocabulary #3

• Ecosystem: complex, interactive systems that include both biological communities (biotic) and physical (abiotic) components of the environment

• Organism: a living thing• Population: a group of the same type of organism living in a

certain area• Biotic factor: any of the organisms living in an ecosystem• Abiotic factor: nonliving things in an ecosystem that may be

chemical or physical• Habitat: the non-living things (abiotic factors) within an

environment

Symbiotic Relationships Vocab 12• Symbiosis- a relationship where two organisms live together • Mutualism – a relationship where both organisms benefit

– Example: Acacia tree and ants. The tree get protection from predators and the ants get shelter and food.

• Parasitism- One organism benefits and other (host) is harmed – Example- Strangling fig vine uses trees as a support and way to get

nutrients. It will eventually kill the tree. – Ticks on a dog. The tick will suck the blood of the host making it sick.

• Commensalism – One organism benefits while the other is unaffected– Example Remora Shark and the Whale Shark. The Remora gets

protection and food while the whale shark get nothing.

Ecological Relationships Vocab 12• Herbivore (plant eater) Carnivore (meat eater) Omnivore

(plant & meat eater)• Producer – makes their own food• Consumer – gets their food by eating other organisms• Decomposer – absorbs nutrients from dead organisms• Symbiosis- a relationship where two organisms live together • Mutualism – a relationship where both organisms benefit

– Example: Acacia tree and ants. The tree get protection from predators and the ants get shelter and food.

• Parasitism- One organism benefits and other (host) is harmed – Example- Strangling fig vine uses trees as a support and way to get nutrients. It

will eventually kill the tree. – Ticks on a dog. The tick will suck the blood of the host making it sick.

• Commensalism – One organism benefits while the other is unaffected– Example Remora Shark and the Whale Shark. The Remora gets protection and

food while the whale shark get nothing. 3

Microbes Vocab 191. Microbe - – any organism or near life form that cannot be seen with

the naked eye2. Virus- A tiny non-living particle that enters and reproduces inside a

living cell. They are composed of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) and a protein coat.

3. Host – organism that provides energy (Example: human, dog, tomato)

4. Parasite an organism that is living on or in a host cell that causes harm to the host

5.Bacteria- single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus, prokaryotic6. Prokaryotic-organism that lacks a nucleus (has DNA) and other cell

structures7. Fungi- A eukaryotic organism that has cell walls, use spores to

reproduce, and is a heterotroph that feeds by absorbing its food. 8. Eukaryotic either unicellular or multi-cellular organism that contains

membrane-bound organelles and genetic material within a nucleus.

Infectious Disease Vocab 251. Infectious Disease – disease caused by the presence of a living thing

in the body.2. Pathogen – a microbe that causes disease in an organism3. Carrier – a PERSON with a disease that they can pass on to other

organisms4. Vector – an ANIMAL/Insect that carries and transmits a disease5. Vaccine – substance entered in the body to produce immunity

(prevent getting sick)6. Antibiotic – medicines used to kill or slow growth in bacteria that

cause disease7. Anti viral- Medicines used to treat a virus once a person is sick but

must be given with a few days of exposure. 8. Epidemic – illness or health-related issue that is showing up in more

cases than would normally be expected. (Ex: Malaria)9. Pandemic – wide spread (usually worldwide) outbreak of an

infectious disease (Ex: Influenza)