Ecosystem: All living and non-living things within an environment Biotic Factor: All living things that influence or affect an ecosystem Abiotic Factor: All non-living things that influence or affect an ecosystem Organism: A living thing Species: A group of animals or plants that are similar and can reproduce Population: A group of the same species living together Community: A group of different species living together Biome: A community of plants and animals that have common characteristics for the environment in which they live in Biosphere: The part of the earth in which life can exist Energy Flow: The transfer of energy through an ecosystem through a food chain or food web Producer: Plants that make their own food by using sunlight, air, and water Consumer: An organism that obtains food by feeding on other organisms or organic matter. Decomposer: An organism that can break down dead plants and animals so they they may be reused Herbivore: An animal that eats only plants Carnivore: An animal that eats only meat Omnivore: An animal that eats plants and meat Scavenger: An animal that seeks out and feeds on dead and/or decaying organic matter Heterotroph: An animal that can't make its own food (consumers) Autotroph: A plant that can make its own food (producer) Food Chain: The transfer of energy from a producer through a series of organisms. Energy is being transferred through a SINGLE PATH. Food Web: The transfer of energy from a producer through a series of organisms. Energy is being transferred through MULTIPLE PATHS. Symbiotic Relationship: A close and permanent relationship between two different species of organisms Mutualism: Both organisms benefit from the relationship Commensalism: One organism benefits; the other is neither harmed nor helped in the relationship Parasitism: One organism benefits while the other is harmed in the relationship Invasive Species: Any living thing that is not from a certain place, but causes damage to it. Photosynthesis: The process by which plants produce food energy. Chlorophyll: Green pigment found in plants and algae. Chloroplasts: Specialized organelles found in plant cells that allow them to absorb energy from the sun. Carbon Dioxide: Slightly toxic, odorless, colorless gas needed by plants for photosynthesis. Glucose: A carbohydrate and simple sugar created during photosynthesis. Oxygen: One of the main elements that makes up air. This is a waste product of photosynthesis. Stomata: Tiny openings in a leaf that allows it to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Respiration: Plants convert the sugars back into energy for growth and other life processes. Light Energy: Light produced by the sun and absorbed by the plant's cells. Water: One of the main ingredients needed for photosynthesis.