Biology- Module 3 Key Words

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species

Back 1

a group of organisms very similar in appearance, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and genetics, whose members are able to interbreed fully to produce fertile offspring

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habitat

Back 2

the place where an organism lives

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biodiversity

Back 3

the diversity of live and range of organisms to be found. Includes plant animal and microbial life. It includes a range of habitats, ecosystems and species that are present in the area, and also the genetic variation that exists within each species

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population

Back 4

the number of organisms of the same species within an ecosystem or habitat

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community

Back 5

the number of organisms of all species within an ecosystem or habitat

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Ecosystem

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All the living and non living components of a specific area and their interactions

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Random sampling

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studying a small part of a habitat and assuming it contains a representative set of species that can be applied to the whole habitat. The sample sites must be chosen at random

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species richness

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number of species present in a habitat

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simpsons diversity index

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a formula used to measure the diversity of a habitat

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biological classification

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the process of sorting living things into groups. Natural classification does this by grouping things according to how closely related they are. Natural classification reflects evolutionary relationships

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taxonomy

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the study of the principles of classification

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phylogeny

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the study of evolutionary relationships between organisms

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binomial system

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uses two names to identify each species. The genus name and the species name

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dichotomous key

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series of questions with two alternative answers to help you identify a specimen

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variation

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the presence of variety and differences between individuals

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genetic variation

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caused by a differences between genes and the combination of genes or alleles.

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continuous variation

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is variation in which there is a full range of intermediate phenotypes between 2 extremes

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discontinuous variation

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discrete groups of phenotypes with no or very few individuals between them

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adaptation

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a feature that enhances survival and long term reproductive success

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xerophytic

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plants that are adapted to living in very dry conditions

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conservation in situ

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conserving a species in its normal environment

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conservation ex situ

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conserving an endangered species by engaging in activities that take place outside its normal environment

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EIA

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a procedure to asses the likely significant effects that a proposed development may have on the environment

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Eukaryotes

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cells that have organelles

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Prokaryotes

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cells that have very few or no organelles. They have 'free DNA' called a plasmid

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Blastula

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a fertilised egg developed into a ball of cells

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taxa

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a class group

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taxon

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a group of organisms which share some basic features

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physiology

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the study of how living things work

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systematic sampling

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sampling at regular intervals

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interrupted or continuous sampling

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gaps or no gaps

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belt transect

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has width one or more quadrats wide

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light transect

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very narrow- light measurement or wind speed

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trent biotic

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a system using presence of invertebrates to rate water quality

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extinction

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when a species ceases to exist