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141 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
abiotic
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A non-living (physical or chemical) component of the environment.
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aboral surface
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The surface opposite the mouth (or oral surface) in cnidarians, comb jellies, and echinoderms.
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abyssal plain
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The nearly flat region of the deep-sea floor.
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abyssal zone
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The bottom from a depth of approximately 4,000 m to 6,000 m.
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abyssopelagic zone
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The pelagic environment from a depth of 4,000 m to 6,000 m.
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active continental margin
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A continental margin that is colliding with another plate and as a result is geologically active.
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active transport
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The transfer of substances across membranes by a cell against a concentration gradient.
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adductor muscle
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One of two muscles that close a bivalve's shells.
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aerobic respiration
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The chemical process involved in the release of energy from organic matter. Organic matter (glucose) + oxygen (O2) --> carbon dioxide (CO2) + water (H20)
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agar
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A commercially important phycocolloid extracted from red algae.
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alga (pl. algae)
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Any of several groups of eukaryotic, autotrophic protists that lack the structural features (true leaves, roots, and stems) of plants.
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algal ridge
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A ridge of coralline algae that is found on the outer edge of some coral reefs.
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algal turf
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A dense growth of often filamentous algae.
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algin
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A phycocolloid extracted from brown algae that is widely used in food processing.
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alternation of generations
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A reproductive cycle in which a sexual stage alternates with an asexual one, as in the case of a gametophyte alternating with a sporophyte.
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ambergris
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Undigested material that accumulates in the intestine of the sperm whale.
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ambulacral groove
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Each of the radiating channels of echinoderms through which tube feet protrude.
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amino acid
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One of the 20 nitrogen-containing molecules that make up proteins.
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amphibians
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Vertebrates that lay their eggs in fresh water: frogs, salamanders, and allies.
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amphipods
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A group of small, laterally compressed crustaceans that includes beach hoppers and others.
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ampulla (pl. ampullae) of Lorenzini
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One of several sensory structures in the head of sharks that detect weak electric fields.
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anadromous
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Marine fishes that migrate to fresh water to breed.
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anaerobic bacteria
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Bacteria that do not need oxygen.
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anaerobic respiration
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The breaking down of organic matter by organisms in the absence of oxygen.
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anal fin
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The last ventral fin of fishes.
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animals
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Members of the kingdom Animalia, which consists of heterotrophic, eukaryotic, multicellular organisms.
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anoxic
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Lacking oxygen.
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antenna
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A sensory appendage on the head of arthropods.
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anthozoans
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Cnidarians whose life cycle consists of a complex polyp and no medusa.
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anthropogenic impact
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Disturbance to the natural environment caused by humans.
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apneustic breathing
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Breathing pattern shown in many marine mammals that involves deep breaths followed by exhalation.
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aquaculture
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The farming of marine and freshwater organisms.
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archaea (sing. archaeum)
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Prokaryotic, unicellular microorganisms in the domain archaea.
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Aristotle's lantern
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The set of jaws and associated muscles used by sea urchins to bite off food.
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arrow worms
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Planktonic invertebrates characterized by a streamlined, transparent body.
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arthropods
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Invertebrates that have jointed appendages and a chitinous, segmented exoskeleton.
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asexual (vegetative) reproduction
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The type of reproduction that takes place without the formation of gametes.
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asthenosphere
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The layer of upper mantle that lies below the lithosphere.
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atoll
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A coral reef that develops as a ring around a central lagoon.
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atom
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The smallest unit into which an element can be divided and still retains its properties.
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ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
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A molecule that stores energy and releases it to power chemical reactions in organisms.
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autotroph
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An organism that manufactures its own organic matter by using energy from the sun or other sources.
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auxospore
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The resistant stage of diatoms that restores the maximum size characteristic to the species.
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back reef
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The inner part of a barrier reef or an atoll.
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bacterium (sing. bacterium)
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Prokaryotic, unicellular microorganisms in the domain Bacteria.
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bacteriophages
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Viruses that infect bacteria.
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baleen
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The filtering plates that hang from the upper jaws of baleen whales.
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baleen whales
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The filter-feeding whales.
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bar-built estuary
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An estuary that is formed when a barrier island or sand bar separates a section of the coast where fresh water enters.
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barnacles
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Crustaceans that live attached to surfaces and are typically enclosed by heavy calcareous plates.
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barophilic
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Pressure-loving. Applied to organisms or enzymes that grow or function best, or only, at high pressure.
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barrier island
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A long and narrow island that is built by waves along the coast.
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barrier reef
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A type of coral reef that develops at some distance from the coast.
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basalt
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The dark-colored rock that forms the sea floor, or oceanic crust.
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bathyal zone
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The bottom between the shelf break and a depth of approximately 4,000 m.
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bathypelagic zone
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The pelagic environment from a depth of 1,000 m to 4,000 m.
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beard worms (pogonophorans)
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Tube-dwelling annelids that lack a digestive system.
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benthos
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Organisms that live on the bottom.
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big bang theory
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The theory that a cosmic explosion produced clouds of dust and gas from which the earth and solar system originated.
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bilateral symmetry
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The arrangement of body parts in such a way that there are only two identical halves, with different anterior and posterior ends and dorsal and ventral surfaces.
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binomial nomenclature
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A system of naming species using two names, the first of which refers to the genus.
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biodegradable
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Able to be broken down by bacteria or other organisms.
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biogenous sediment
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Sediment that is made up of the skeletons and shells of marine organisms.
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biological clock
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A repeated rhythm that is synchronized with crime.
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biological magnification
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The increased concentration of non-biodegradable chemicals in the higher levels of the food chain.
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bioluminescence
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The production of light by living organisms.
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biomass
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The total mass of living organisms.
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biotic
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A living component of the environment.
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bioturbator
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A member of the infauna that moves sediment while burrowing or feeding.
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birds
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(class Aves) Vertebrates that have feathers and lay eggs with calcified shells on land.
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bivalves
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(class Bivalvia) Clams, mussels, and other molluscs that possess a two-valved shell, filtering gills, and a shovel-like foot.
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black corals
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(order Antipatharia) Colonial anthozoans that secrete a black protein skeleton.
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black smoker
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A chimney-like accumulation of mineral deposits that is found at hydrothermal vents.
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blade
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The leaf-like portion of the thallus of a seaweed.
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bleaching
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The expulsion of zooxanthellae by reef corals in response to stress.
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bloom
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A sudden increase in the abundance of an alga or phytoplankton.
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blowhole
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The nostrils, or nasal openings, of cetaceans.
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blubber
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A thick layer of fat under the skin of many marine mammals.
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bony fishes (Osteichthyes)
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Fishes with a skeleton made mostly of bone; they also have opercula and fin rays.
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boring sponges
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Sponges that bore through calcareous skeletons and shells.
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bradychardia
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The slowing down of heart rate during diving in marine mammals.
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breaching
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Leaping into the air by whales.
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brittle stars
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(class Ophiuroidea) Echinoderms with five flexible arms that radiate from a conspicuous central disk and tube feet that are used in feeding.
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brown algae
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(phylum Heterokontophyta, class Phaeophyta) Seaweeds with a predominance of yellow and brown pigments.
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bryozoans
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(phylum Ectoprocta or Bryozoa) Small, colonial, encrusting invertebrates with delicate, often lace-like skeletons.
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budding
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A type of asexual reproduction by which a separate, new individual is produced from a small outgrowth, or bud.
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by-catch
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Non-target catch that is taken while fishing for other species.
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byssal threads
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Strong fibers secreted by mussels for attachment.
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calcareous
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Made of calcium carbonate.
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calcareous green algae
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Green algae that deposit calcium carbonate in their thallus.
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calcareous ooze
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A type of biogenous sediment that is made of the calcium carbonate shells and skeletons of marine organisms.
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calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
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A mineral that is the major component of the shell, skeleton, and other parts of many organisms.
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capsid
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The outer protein coat of viruses.
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carapace
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The shield-like structure that covers the anterior portion of some crustaceans; the shell of sea turtles.
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carbohydrate
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An organic compound that consists of chains or rings of carbon with hydrogen and oxygen attached to them.
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carbon (C)
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An element that is an essential constituent of all organic compounds.
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carbon cycle
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The cyclic conversion of carbon between carbon dioxide and various organic compounds.
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carbon dating
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A procedure used to determine the age of recent fossils.
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carbon dioxide (CO2)
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A colorless gas that is required in the process of photosynthesis.
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carbon fixation
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The conversion of inorganic carbon into energy-rich organic carbon, usually by photosynthesis.
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carnivore
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An animal that eats other animals. A top carnivore is one that feeds at the top of the food chain.
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carotenoid
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One of a group of yellow, orange, and red plant pigments.
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carposporophyte
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A diploid generation found in the red algae. It produces non-motile carpospores.
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carrageenan
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A phycocolloid extracted from red algae that is widely used in food processing.
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carrying capacity
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The maximum population size that can be sustained by the available resources in a given environment.
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cartilaginous fishes
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(Chondrichthyes) Fishes with a skeleton made of cartilage: sharks, rays, skates, and ratfishes (or chimeras).
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catadromous
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Freshwater fishes that migrate to sea to breed.
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caudal fin
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The posterior, or tail, fin of fishes.
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cellulose
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A complex carbohydrate that is the main component of fibers and other support structures in plants.
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central nervous system
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The brain (or a similar aggregation of nerve cells)and one or more nerve cords.
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central rift valley
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A depression in the mid-ocean ridge.
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cephalopods
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(class Cephalopoda) Octopuses, squids, and other molluscs that possess a foot modified into arms that surround the head.
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cephalothorax
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The anterior portion of the body of many arthropods, which consists of the head fused with other body segments.
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cetaceans
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(order Cetacea) Marine mammals with anterior flippers, no posterior limbs, and a dorsal fin: whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
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chemosynthetic (chemoautotrophic) prokaryotes
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Autotrophic bacteria and archaea that use energy by releasing it from particular chemical compounds.
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chitin
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A complex derivative of carbohydrates that is the main component of the skeleton of many animals.
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chitons
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(class Polyplacophora) Molluscs that have a shell divided into eight overlapping plates.
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chloride cells
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Cells in the gills of fishes that are involved in the excretion of excess salts.
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chlorinated hydrocarbons
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A group of non-biodegradable, synthetic chemicals. Some are toxic and become pollutants.
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chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
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Chemicals, used in sprays, air conditioners, and other products, that affect the ozone layer.
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chlorophyll
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A green photosynthetic pigment.
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chloroplast
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The organelle where photosynthesis takes place.
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chordates
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(phylum Chordata) Animals that display a hollow dorsal nerve cord, gill slits, and a notochord. Includes the protochordates and the vertebrates.
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chromatophore
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A skin cell that contains pigment.
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chromosome
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The cell structure where DNA is located.
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ciguatera
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A type of food poisoning contracted from eating certain tropical fishes. It results from a toxin produced by a dinoflagellate.
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ciliary comb
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One of eight bands of cilia fused at the base that is found in comb jellies.
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ciliates
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A group of protozoans that have cilia.
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cilium
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A short, hair-like flagellum that is found in large numbers and used in movement, for pushing food particles, and in other functions.
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clasper
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A copulatory organ along the inner edge of each pelvic fin in male sharks and other cartilaginous fishes.
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cleaning associations
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A symbiotic association in which a smaller partner regularly removes parasites from fishes.
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climax community
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The final stage in an ecological succession.
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cloaca
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The common opening for the intestine and the excretory and reproductive systems of cartilaginous fishes and other animals.
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clone
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A series of genetically identical cells or individuals that have developed from a single cell or individual.
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cnidarians
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Invertebrates with nematocysts and radial symmetry.
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cnidocyte
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A cell that contains a nematocyst.
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coastal management
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The use of coastal resources with the intention of preserving them.
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coccolithophorids
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Unicellular, eukaryotic members of the phytoplankton that have calcareous, button-like structures, or coccoliths.
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coelacanths
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A group of lobed-fin fossil fishes. Latimeria was first discovered alive in 1952.
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coelom
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The body cavity found in structurally complex animals.
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coelomic fluid
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The fluid that fills the coelom of echinoderms and other invertebrates.
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