Ecology

The series of steps by which energy is obtained, used, and transformed by organisms

non-living factors of an ecosystem

living factors of an ecosystem

organisms that use energy the sun to obtain and store energy for themselves

organisms that cannot make their own food; depend on other organisms for food

animals that only consume other animals for energy

organisms that make up the secondary trophic level; only eat producers, often herbivores

organisms that make up the third trophic level; eat the primary consumers; may be carnivores or omnivores

organisms that make up the top trophic level; carnivores

animals that only consume plants

animals that consume both plants and animals

organisms that use other dead or decaying organisms as a source of energy; recycle matter for producers to use; critical in thecarbon cycle

organisms that obtain energy from dead organisms or from waste products of living organisms

Position occupied by an organism in an energy pyramid of an ecosystem

term for an organism that is able to produce its own energy