Ecosystems Vocabulary #3

1. Ecosystems Vocabulary #3 • Ecosystem: complex, interactive systems that include both biological communities (biotic) and physical (abiotic) components of the environment • Organism: aliving 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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Microbes Vocab 19 1. Microbe - – any organism or near life form that cannot be seen with the naked eye 2. 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, prokaryotic 6. Prokaryotic-organism that lacks a nucleus (has DNA) and other cell structures 7. 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.

5. Infectious Disease Vocab 25 Infectious Disease – disease caused by the presence of a living thing in the body. Pathogen – a microbe that causes disease in an organism Carrier – a PERSON with a disease that they can pass on to other organisms Vector – an ANIMAL/Insect that carries and transmits a disease Vaccine – substance entered in the body to produce immunity (prevent getting sick) Antibiotic – medicines used to kill or slow growth in bacteria that cause disease Anti viral- Medicines used to treat a virus once a person is sick but must be given with a few days of exposure. Epidemic – illness or health-related issue that is showing up in more cases than would normally be expected. (Ex: Malaria) Pandemic – wide spread (usually worldwide) outbreak of an infectious disease (Ex: Influenza)