Ecosystems

• What are the main groups of decomposer organisms?

  Bacteria and fungi
• How do bacteria and fungi cause decay?

  By releasing enzymes that break down compounds
• What term describes organisms that feed on dead material?

  Saprophytes
• What factors can speed up decomposition?

  Increasing temperature, moisture, and oxygen
• What is an ecosystem?

  A collection of organisms and environmental factors
• What is a community in ecological terms?

  All animals and plants living in an area
• What is a habitat?

  The area where animals and plants live
• What does a food chain or food web show?

  What eats what and energy transfer
• What do the arrows in a food chain represent?

  Energy transfer
• What is competition in an ecosystem?

  Animals and plants competing for survival resources
• What are some resources that organisms might compete for?

  Light, food, water, and access to mates
• What does the term biotic refer to?

  Living factors influencing organisms
• What does the term abiotic refer to?

  Non-living factors influencing organisms
• How do abiotic factors affect organisms?

  They influence growth and survival conditions