Ch. 3

organic matter produced by plants

animals that feed on other animals

populations of all species living and interacting in an area at a particular time

organism that cannot synthesize the organic nutrients it needs and gets its organic nutrients by feeding on tissues of producers or other consumers

organism that digests parts of dead organisms and cast off fragments and wastes of living organisms

consumer organisms that feeds on detritus or parts of dead organisms

one or more communities of different species interacting with one another with the chemical and physical factors making up their nonliving environment

series of organisms in which each eats or decomposes the preceding one

complex network of many interconnected food chains and feeding relationships

plant eating organisms

zone of transition between the mesophere and thermosphere

coldest layer, low air pressure, least explored

animal that uses plants and other animals as food

group of organisms of the same species living in a particular area

organism that uses solar/chemical energy to manufacture organic compounds; needs nutrients from single inorganic compounds

all organisms that are the same number of energy transfers away from the original source of energy that enters an ecosystem

boundary layer between the stratosphere and the mesosphere

ozone layer ; planes fly here

the boundary level between the troposphere and stratosphere

life exists here, 75% of atmosphere

boundary layer between the thermosphere and exosphere

very thin air; high temps from solar radiation

natural effect that releases heat into the atmosphere near the earth’s surface