1. POPULATIONS & ECOSYSTEM

2. BIOSPHERE The thin upper part of earth’s surface and its atmosphere is capable of supporting life.

3. HABITAT A place where a plant or animal lives that provides the 4 basic needs. Animal life is closely linked to plant life

4. Size of habitat depends on the organism

5. Environment The conditions around an organism and how the organism changes and reacts to these conditions. Is affected by the climate, water, and soil as well as how the plants and animals react to each other

6. Ecosystem Area where living things interact with each other and their environment. Environments can be large as wetlands, Deserts, tundra, or small as a pond, puddle, rotting log

7. BIOTIC FACTORS The living parts of an ecosystem. Ex. Animals, plants

8. Abiotic Factors The non-living parts of an ecosystem. Ex. Weather and sunlight

9. ECOLOGY The study of how living things interact within a community

10. ADAPTATION A character or structure that helps an organism live and reproduce successfully in its environment overtime. http://interdependence.londongt.org/adaptation/index.php?chapter=starter&activity=venusFlytrap &editorialItem=instructions&teacher=false&fullScreen=false http://interdependence.londongt.org/adaptation/index.php?chapter=starter&activity=venusFlytrap &editorialItem=instructions&teacher=false&fullScreen=false

11. BIOME Natural regions with similar climates and vegetation that provides similar habitats. There are many small communities in each biome

12. COMMUNITY Two or more groups of different organisms living together and interacting with each other in the same area.

13. Niche The specific role an organism has in it’s habitat. Includes all the activities and behaviors that satisfy an organisms need for food, water, living, space and reproduction

14. FOOD CHAIN A group of organisms linked together in the order of which they feed on each other. Ex. Sun -> grass-> chicken -> eggs -> You

15. Grass is eaten by Grasshopper is eaten by Toad is eaten by Snake And snake is eaten by Hawk

16. FOOD WEB Is when food chains in a community link together.

18. PRIMARY SOURCE The sun is the primary source of energy

19. Plants Uses the sun’s energy to make (produce) their own food by photosynthesis. Called “Producers” they are the only organisms in the chain that can use nonliving matter to produce (make) food.

20. ANIMALS Are not able to produce their own food, they must eat other organisms Called “consumers” Consumer means they have to eat organisms that make their own food (plants) Broken into groups based on what they eat