NAME: _______________________________ Science Vocabulary flash cards - Cut and staple together to help you study!

Side One - Word Side Two–Definition and Example

ecosystem

Definition = a community of living and nonliving that work together. Ecosystems have no particular size and can range from very small (a puddle) to very large (the Earth).

Example = Our terrariums and aquariums are examples of complete ecosystems. Gardens, farms, ranches, ponds, trees, deserts, etc. are just a few other examples of ecosystems. Ecosystems need light, water, and very little pollutants to survive.

terrestrial

Definition = land-living. Example = The crickets and isopods in our ecosystems are terrestrial animals.

aquatic

Definition = water-living. Example = The mosquito fish and snails in our ecosystems are aquatic animals.

NAME: _______________________________

photosynthesis

Definition = A process that plants use to convert the sun’s energy, water, and carbon dioxide into their own food or starch.

Example = Through photosynthesis, the plants in our ecosystem use the sun’s energy, water, and carbon dioxide to make their own food or starch.

germination

Definition = the sprouting of a plant. Examples = The seeds in our terrarium germinated after just a few days. Most kinds of seeds do NOT need light to germinate because they are underground. The stages of growth for most plants is…. Seed=>Germination=>Plant

exoskeleton

Definition = A hard outer structure, like a skeleton, that is worn on the outside of an organism. It provides support and protection for an organism.

Example = The cricket and the isopod in our ecosystems wear an exoskeleton. The isopod’s exoskeleton provides protection from predators. Most insects have an exoskeleton.

NAME: _______________________________

molt

Definition = the shedding of an exoskeleton.

Example = The isopod in our ecosystem must molt, or shed its exoskeleton, in order to grow.

nymph

Definition =the immature form of most insects. Example = The crickets and isopods in our ecosystems become nymphs after they hatch from eggs. The life stages of these organisms are: Egg=>Nymph=>Adult

producer

Definition = an organism that produces its own food through the process of photosynthesis.

Example = The Algae, Elodea, and Duckweed (green) PLANTS in our ecosystems are all producers because they produce or make their own food. Accordingly they get their energy from the sun.

NAME: _______________________________

consumer

Definition = an organism that cannot produce its own food. Accordingly, it must eat or “consume” other organisms to get energy.

Example = The mosquito fish and the cricket are examples of consumers in our ecosystem. They get their energy because they consume the plants, like algae, for food. Fish, crickets, snails, and people are all examples of consumers that eat plants as a food source.

scavenger

Definition = an organism that eats decaying and dead animal and plant matter.

Example = The isopod and the snail are examples of scavengers in our ecosystem because they dead and decaying plant matter.