This document defines key terms related to ecology: 1) It defines ecology as the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. 2) An ecosystem is described as a living community of organisms interacting with each other and their non-living surroundings. 3) Symbiosis, mutualism, parasitism, competition, predation are different types of interactions between organisms within an ecosystem.

1. Ecology & You
{ Can’t we all just get along?

2. The study of home (earth
and the interconnections
of organisms)
{ Ecology

3. A natural unit that includes living and
non-living parts interacting to produce a
stable system in which the exchange of
materials between the living and nonliving
parts follows closed paths; all living things
and their environment in an area of any
size with all linked together by energy and
nutrient flow
{ Ecosystem

4. A close, prolonged association
between two or more different
organisms of different species that
may, but does not necessarily, benefit
each member
{ Symbiosis

5. A relationship between two
species of organisms in which
both benefit from the
association-a type of symbiosis
{ Mutualism

6. A type of symbiotic relationship
between organisms of different
species where one organism, the
parasite, benefits at the expense of
the host
{ Parisitism

7. When two or more
organisms have the potential
for using the same resource.
May be inter- or intra-
specific
{ Competition

8. A predator, typically a larger
animal preys (hunts) for smaller
animals.
{ Predation

9. Student 1:
Draw a line like the one to the
right and place a mark where
different situations would fall
on the scale. Worst
Bad Neutral Good
Best
Ever Ever
Student 2:
Draw a line perpendicular to
Student 1’s line and now the two
of you will place a mark where
different situations would fall
on your scale.
Analyze: Did anything fall in
different squares? The same
squares?
Ew or Yeah?!?

10. Symbiosis review!