GradesUp

Ecosystems and Interactions of Living Things

Science

GradesUp Video: Ecosystems and Interactions of Living Things

Carnivore, Community, Consumer, Decomposer, Ecosystem, and more, explained in an easy to understand way.

an animal that only eats other animals

An animal that only eats other animals

Carnivore

An animal that only eats other animals. Carnivore. A carnivore is an animal that predominantly consumes the flesh of other animals for its diet.

populations that live in the same habitat

Populations that live in the same habitat

Community

Populations that live in the same habitat. Community. In science, a community is a group of different species living together and interacting in the same area.

unlike a plant, cannot make its own food, instead it eats other living things

Unlike a plant, cannot make its own food, instead it eats other living things

Consumer

Unlike a plant, cannot make its own food, instead it eats other living things. Consumer. In science, a consumer is an organism that obtains energy by eating other organisms.

an organism that breaks down dead organisms and waste, like fungi or bacteria

An organism that breaks down dead organisms and waste, like fungi or bacteria

Decomposer

An organism that breaks down dead organisms and waste, like fungi or bacteria. Decomposers are organisms that recycle nutrients by breaking down dead material.

all the living and nonliving things interacting in an area

All the living and nonliving things interacting in an area

Ecosystem

All the living and non-living interacting in an area. Ecosystem. Ecosystem is like a community where plants, animals and non-living things like water and rocks all work together.

close to becoming extinct

Close to becoming extinct

Endangered

Close to becoming extinct. Endangered. An endangered species is one that is at serious risk of disappearing forever.

the diagram of energy loss through a food chain

The diagram of energy loss through a food chain

Energy pyramid

The diagram of energy loss through a food chain. Energy pyramid. An energy pyramid is a graphical representation that shows how energy decreases as it flows through different levels of a food chain.

all the living and nonliving things in an area

All the living and nonliving things in an area

Environment

All the living and non-living things in an area. Environment. The environment is everything around us, including both living things like plants and animals and non-living things like air and water.

the food energy transfer between organisms in an ecosystem

The food energy transfer between organisms in an ecosystem

Food chain

The food energy transfer between organisms in an ecosystem. Food chain. A food chain is a sequence that shows how each living thing gets its energy by eating another organism in an ecosystem.

a model of overlapping food chains in an ecosystem

A model of overlapping food chains in an ecosystem

Food web

A model of overlapping food chains in an ecosystem. Food web. A food web is a network of interconnected food chains showing how different organisms feed on each other in an ecosystem.

the place where an organism lives

The place where an organism lives

Habitat

The place where an organism lives. Habitat. A habitat is the natural home where plants and animals live and find everything they need to survive.

an animal that eats only plants

An animal that eats only plants

Herbivore

An animal that eats only plants. Herbivore. Herbivores are animals that get their energy and nutrients by consuming plants.

a very small organism that can only be seen with a microscope, like bacteria

A very small organism that can only be seen with a microscope, like bacteria

Microorganism

A very small organism that can only be seen with a microscope, like bacteria. Microorganism. Microorganisms are tiny living things, such as bacteria and viruses, that play various roles in the ecosystem, including helping to decompose organic material.

the role an animal or plant plays in its habitat

The role an animal or plant plays in its habitat

Niche

The role an animal or plant plays in its habitat. Niche. A niche is like a species' job or role in its environment, including how it gets food and interacts with other organisms.

can eat both plants and animals

Can eat both plants and animals

Omnivore

Can eat both plants and animals. Omnivore. An omnivore is an animal that consumes both plants and animal matter as part of its diet.

the gas found in air and water that most plants and animals need to live

The gas found in air and water that most plants and animals need to live

Oxygen

The gas found in air and water that most plants and animals need to live. Oxygen. Oxygen is a colorless gas that is essential for breathing and supports life on Earth.

the process by which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make food

The process by which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make food

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make food. Photosynthesis. It is how plants make their own food using sunlight.

adding harmful substances to the land, water or air

Adding harmful substances to the land, water or air

Pollution

Adding harmful substances to the land, water or air. Pollution. It is when unwanted chemicals or trash harm our environment.

all the organisms of the same species living in the same area

All the organisms of the same species living in the same area

Population

All the organisms of the same species living in the same area. Population. In science, a population is a group of the same species living together in one place.

an animal that hunts and eats other animals

An animal that hunts and eats other animals

Predator

An animal that hunts and eats other animals. Predator. In Science, a predator is an animal that captures and feeds on other animals.

an animal hunted and eaten by a predator

An animal hunted and eaten by a predator

Prey

An animal hunted and eaten by a predator. Prey. In science, prey is an organism that is targeted and consumed by another organism, known as the predator, for food.

organism that can make its own food, like all plants

Organism that can make its own food, like all plants

Producer

An organism that can make its own food, like all plants. Producer. A producer is a living thing that makes its own food through processes like photosynthesis.

the scattering of plant seeds

The scattering of plant seeds

Seed dispersal

The scattering of plant seeds. Seed dispersal. Seed dispersal is the process by which seeds are spread from the parent plant to new locations to grow.