Chapter 3 Biology Vocab (part 2)

4. series of steps in an ecosystem in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten
7. diagram that shows the relative amounts of energy or matter within each trophic level in a food chain or food web
8. step in a food chain or food web
9. organism that feeds on plant and animal remains and other dead matter
10. total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level
11. process by which water changes from a liquid into an atmospheric gas
13. single nutrient that either is scarce or cycles very slowly, limiting the growth of organisms in an ecosystem
15. rate at which organic matter is created by producers in an ecosystem
16. chemical substance that an organism requires to live

1. network of complex interactions formed by the feeding relationships among the various organisms in an ecosystem
2. process in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and form one part of the biosphere to another
3. organism that breaks down and obtains energy from dead organic material
5. conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas
6. an immediate increase in the amount of algae and other producers that results from a large input of a limiting nutrient
12. process of converting nitrogen gas into ammonia
14. loss of water from a plant through its leaves