Biotic Components and Niches Flashcards
(16 cards)
Producers
Organisms which produce organic compounds from simple substances such as water and carbon dioxide.
Autotrophs
Organisms that are able to form nutritional organic substances from simple inorganic substances like carbon dioxide..
Cyanobacteria
Division of microorganisms which are related to bacteria but are capable of photosynthesis. They represent the earliest known form of life on the earth.
Glucose
Simple sugar which is an energy source in living organisms.
Organic Molecules
Organic molecules are composed of carbon atoms in rings, to which are attached other atoms of such elements as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Starch
This is an odourless, tasteless white substance occurring in plant tissue.
Lipid
Organic compounds which are fatty acids and are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. Such as natural oils, waxes.
Proteins
Nitrogenous organic compounds which have large molecules composed of many long chains of amino acids and are an essential part of all living organisms, especially as structural components of body tissue.
Nucleic Acids
Complex organic substance present in living cells, especially DNA or RNA.
Consumer
Organism that obtains the organic compounds and energy it needs from the consumption of other organisms.
Heterotroph
Organism obtaining its nutritional requirements from complex organic substances
Herbivore
Feed on producers e.g. zebra, springbok, mice.
Carnivore
Feed on other consumers e.g. lion, cheetah, eagle.
Omnivore
Feed on both producers and consumers e.g. humans, dogs, ants.
Decomposer
Feed on dead organisms e.g. bacteria, fungi.
Saprotroph
Organism that obtains nourishment from decaying organic matter.
