Ecosystems — Chapter Summary

An ecosystem is a self

An ecosystem is a self-contained area made up of all the different organisms living in it and the physical conditions around them, such as sunlight, a

Biotic components are living parts

Biotic components are living parts of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. Abiotic components are non-living parts such as sunli

Green plants are producers because they

Green plants are producers because they make their own food by photosynthesis. They are also called autotrophs, meaning self-food producers.

All organisms other than autotrophs

All organisms other than autotrophs are heterotrophs, meaning differently nourished. Plant-eating animals are primary consumers, while flesh-eating an

A food chain is the linear

A food chain is the linear sequence of organisms in which each organism eats the lower member and is itself eaten by the next higher member. A chain m