Biology Vocab Word List #5

Front 1

Homologous Structures

Back 1

a body part that is similar in structure and position in two or more species; evolution explains this correspondence by common ancestry, but homologous structures were recognised and named before the theory of evolution was formulated

Front 2

Analogous Structures

Back 2

a body part in two or more species that performs a similar function but has a different structure; for example, the wings of bats and butterflies.

Front 3

Vestigial

Back 3

having become functionless in the course of evolution

Front 4

Symbiosis

Back 4

Interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both

Front 5

Mutualism

Back 5

An association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm

Front 6

Commensalism

Back 6

the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other

Front 7

Parasitism

Back 7

a type of symbiotic relationship between organisms of different species where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the host

Front 8

Predation

Back 8

The preying of one animal on others

Front 9

Competition

Back 9

Interaction between organisms, populations, or species, in which birth, growth and death depend on gaining a share of a limited environmental resource

Front 10

Consumer

Back 10

Consumers are organisms of an ecological food chain that receive their energy by consuming other organisms. These organisms are formally referred to as heterotrophs, which includes animals, bacteria and fungus.

Front 11

Producer

Back 11

organisms that generate the food used by all other organisms in the ecosystem; usually consist of plants making food by photosynthesis.

Front 12

Scavenger

Back 12

An animal that feeds on carrion, dead plant material, or refuse

Front 13

Decomposer

Back 13

An organism, esp. a soil bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate, that decomposes organic material

Front 14

Niche

Back 14

the relational position of a species or population in its ecosystem to each other

Front 15

Ecosystem

Back 15

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment

Front 16

Biome

Back 16

A large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g., forest or tundra