Types of Ecosystem Interactions - Middle School Life Science
Card 1 of 25
What is a consumer (heterotroph) in a food relationship?
What is a consumer (heterotroph) in a food relationship?
Tap to reveal answer
An organism that gets energy by eating other organisms. Cannot produce their own food and must consume others.
An organism that gets energy by eating other organisms. Cannot produce their own food and must consume others.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a producer (autotroph) in a food relationship?
What is a producer (autotroph) in a food relationship?
Tap to reveal answer
An organism that makes its own food, usually by photosynthesis. Forms the base of food chains by converting sunlight to energy.
An organism that makes its own food, usually by photosynthesis. Forms the base of food chains by converting sunlight to energy.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is decomposition as an ecosystem interaction?
What is decomposition as an ecosystem interaction?
Tap to reveal answer
Decomposers break down dead matter and recycle nutrients. Essential for nutrient cycling in ecosystems.
Decomposers break down dead matter and recycle nutrients. Essential for nutrient cycling in ecosystems.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is an omnivore?
What is an omnivore?
Tap to reveal answer
A consumer that eats both producers and consumers. Has a varied diet including both plant and animal matter.
A consumer that eats both producers and consumers. Has a varied diet including both plant and animal matter.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which interaction is shown when a hawk catches and eats a mouse?
Which interaction is shown when a hawk catches and eats a mouse?
Tap to reveal answer
Predation. Hawk benefits by eating mouse; mouse is killed.
Predation. Hawk benefits by eating mouse; mouse is killed.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which interaction is shown when barnacles live on a whale and the whale is unaffected?
Which interaction is shown when barnacles live on a whale and the whale is unaffected?
Tap to reveal answer
Commensalism. Barnacles get transportation; whale isn't helped or harmed.
Commensalism. Barnacles get transportation; whale isn't helped or harmed.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which interaction is shown when a tick feeds on a dog’s blood?
Which interaction is shown when a tick feeds on a dog’s blood?
Tap to reveal answer
Parasitism. Tick benefits from blood meal while dog is harmed.
Parasitism. Tick benefits from blood meal while dog is harmed.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which interaction is shown when vultures eat leftovers from a dead animal?
Which interaction is shown when vultures eat leftovers from a dead animal?
Tap to reveal answer
Scavenging. Vultures feed on carrion they didn't kill themselves.
Scavenging. Vultures feed on carrion they didn't kill themselves.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is symbiosis in ecology?
What is symbiosis in ecology?
Tap to reveal answer
A close, long-term relationship between different species. Includes mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
A close, long-term relationship between different species. Includes mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which interaction is shown when two lions fight over the same prey?
Which interaction is shown when two lions fight over the same prey?
Tap to reveal answer
Competition. Both lions are harmed by fighting for limited food.
Competition. Both lions are harmed by fighting for limited food.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a carnivore?
What is a carnivore?
Tap to reveal answer
A consumer that eats other consumers (animals). Secondary or tertiary consumers that hunt other animals.
A consumer that eats other consumers (animals). Secondary or tertiary consumers that hunt other animals.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is an herbivore?
What is an herbivore?
Tap to reveal answer
A consumer that eats producers (plants or algae). Primary consumers that feed exclusively on plant matter.
A consumer that eats producers (plants or algae). Primary consumers that feed exclusively on plant matter.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is commensalism in an ecosystem interaction?
What is commensalism in an ecosystem interaction?
Tap to reveal answer
One benefits, the other is unaffected (+/0). One organism gains while the other neither benefits nor suffers.
One benefits, the other is unaffected (+/0). One organism gains while the other neither benefits nor suffers.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is scavenging as an organism interaction?
What is scavenging as an organism interaction?
Tap to reveal answer
An organism feeds on dead organisms or remains. Scavengers consume already-dead organisms they didn't kill.
An organism feeds on dead organisms or remains. Scavengers consume already-dead organisms they didn't kill.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is competition between organisms in an ecosystem?
What is competition between organisms in an ecosystem?
Tap to reveal answer
Both are harmed by competing for a limited resource (−/−). Organisms struggle for the same scarce resources like food or space.
Both are harmed by competing for a limited resource (−/−). Organisms struggle for the same scarce resources like food or space.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is predation in an ecosystem interaction?
What is predation in an ecosystem interaction?
Tap to reveal answer
One organism kills and eats another (+/−). A predator hunts, captures, and consumes prey for energy.
One organism kills and eats another (+/−). A predator hunts, captures, and consumes prey for energy.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is mutualism in an ecosystem interaction?
What is mutualism in an ecosystem interaction?
Tap to reveal answer
Both species benefit (+/+). A win-win relationship where both organisms gain advantages.
Both species benefit (+/+). A win-win relationship where both organisms gain advantages.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the ecological interaction called mutualism?
What is the ecological interaction called mutualism?
Tap to reveal answer
Mutualism: both organisms benefit (+/+). Both species gain from the relationship.
Mutualism: both organisms benefit (+/+). Both species gain from the relationship.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is herbivory as an interaction among organisms?
What is herbivory as an interaction among organisms?
Tap to reveal answer
Herbivory: an animal eats a plant or algae (+/−). Plant-eating is a type of predation.
Herbivory: an animal eats a plant or algae (+/−). Plant-eating is a type of predation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which interaction is shown when both species gain resources or protection?
Which interaction is shown when both species gain resources or protection?
Tap to reveal answer
Mutualism. Both organisms receive benefits.
Mutualism. Both organisms receive benefits.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which interaction is shown when one species benefits and the other is not affected?
Which interaction is shown when one species benefits and the other is not affected?
Tap to reveal answer
Commensalism. One gains, other remains neutral.
Commensalism. One gains, other remains neutral.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which interaction is shown when one organism benefits by harming a living host?
Which interaction is shown when one organism benefits by harming a living host?
Tap to reveal answer
Parasitism. Long-term feeding relationship that weakens host.
Parasitism. Long-term feeding relationship that weakens host.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is predation in an ecosystem interaction?
What is predation in an ecosystem interaction?
Tap to reveal answer
Predation: one organism kills and eats another (+/−). Predator consumes prey for energy.
Predation: one organism kills and eats another (+/−). Predator consumes prey for energy.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the ecological interaction called parasitism?
What is the ecological interaction called parasitism?
Tap to reveal answer
Parasitism: parasite benefits, host is harmed (+/−). Parasite takes nutrients without killing quickly.
Parasitism: parasite benefits, host is harmed (+/−). Parasite takes nutrients without killing quickly.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the ecological interaction called commensalism?
What is the ecological interaction called commensalism?
Tap to reveal answer
Commensalism: one benefits, the other is unaffected (+/0). Like barnacles on whales - no harm done.
Commensalism: one benefits, the other is unaffected (+/0). Like barnacles on whales - no harm done.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →