Microcosm

Definition

A microcosm is a small, self-contained environment that replicates the characteristics and dynamics of a larger ecosystem. It allows for detailed study and analysis of ecological processes in a controlled setting.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Microcosms are often used in experiments to simulate natural ecosystems under controlled conditions.
2. They help scientists understand complex interactions between organisms and their environment on a smaller scale.
3. Microcosms can include both abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) components of an ecosystem.
4. They are valuable for testing ecological hypotheses without the ethical or logistical constraints of manipulating real-world ecosystems.
5. Microcosms can vary greatly in size but still maintain the essential properties of the ecosystems they represent.

Review Questions

Related terms

Ecosystem: A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Biotic Factors:

The living components that affect the population of organisms within an ecosystem.

Abiotic Factors: The non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms.