Chapter 3

Front 1

abiotic

Back 1

Nonliving. Compare biotic

Front 2

aerobic respiration

Back 2

Complex process that occurs in the cells of most living organisms, in which nutrient organic molecules such as glucose (C6H12O6) combine with oxygen (O2) and produce carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and energy. Compare photosynthesis.

Front 3

albedo

Back 3

Ability of a surface to reflect light.

Front 4

anaerobic respiration

Back 4

Form of cellular respiration in which some decomposers get the energy they need through the breakdown of glucose (or other nutrients) in the absence of oxygen. Compare aerobic respiration.

Front 5

aquatic

Back 5

Pertaining to water. Compare terrestrial.

Front 6

aquatic life zone

Back 6

Marine and freshwater portions of the biosphere. Examples include freshwater life zones (such as lakes and streams) and ocean or marine life zones (such as estuaries, coastlines, coral reefs, and the deep ocean).

Front 7

atmosphere

Back 7

The whole mass of air surrounding the earth. See stratosphere, troposphere.

Front 8

bacteria

Back 8

Prokaryotic, one-celled organisms. Some transmit diseases. Most act as decomposers and get the nutrients they need by breaking down complex organic compounds in the tissues of living or dead organisms into simpler inorganic nutrient compounds.

Front 9

biodiversity

Back 9

Variety of different species (species diversity), genetic variability among individuals within each species (genetic diversity), variety of ecosystems (ecological diversity), and functions such as energy flow and matter cycling needed for the survival of species and biological communities (functional diversity).

Front 10

biogeochemical cycle

Back 10

Natural processes that recycle nutrients in various chemical forms from the nonliving environment to living organisms and then back to the nonliving environment. Examples are the carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and hydrologic cycles.