Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
50 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
|
Biotic factor |
Living organism in an environment |
|
|
|
Abiotic factor |
Physical, non-living part of the environment |
|
|
|
Harmful algal bloom |
A rapid growth of algae that can deplete the oxygen dissolved in the water, and block the sunlight required by other organisms |
|
|
|
Algae |
Microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that play a vital role in marine and freshwater ecosystems |
|
|
|
Nutrient |
Any element or compound that an organism needs for metabolism, growth, or other functions |
|
|
|
Biomass |
The dry mass of all living organisms occupying a habitat |
|
|
|
Ecology |
The study of the interactions of living organisms with one another and their environment |
|
|
|
Biological community |
Interacting populations living in a certain area at a certain time |
|
|
|
Symbiosis |
Long lasting ecological relationship |
|
|
|
Mutualism |
Relationship in which both organisms benefit |
|
|
|
Commensalism |
Relationship in which one organism benefits and the other isn't helped or harmed |
|
|
|
Parasitism |
Relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is harmed |
|
|
|
Producer |
Organism that uses light energy to photosynthesize |
|
|
|
Consumer |
An organism that uses other organisms as a source of energy |
|
|
|
Primary consumer |
Organism that eats green plants, algae or phytoplanktons |
Herbivore |
|
|
Trophic level |
Division of species within an ecosystem based on its energy source |
|
|
|
Food chain |
The pathway along which food is transferred from one trophic level to the next |
|
|
|
Food web |
Interconnecting feeding relationships within an ecosystem |
|
|
|
Transpiration |
Loss of water vapour from a plant through its leaves |
|
|
|
Humidity |
The atmosphere's moisture content |
|
|
|
Biogeochemical cycle |
A diagram representing the movement of elements and compounds between living and non living components of an ecosystem. |
|
|
|
Carbon sink |
System that removes more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere then it releases |
|
|
|
Peat |
Feel layers of mosses and plant remains unable to decompose due to lack of oxygen in water-saturated soil |
|
|
|
Ozone |
Molecule comprised of three sons of oxygen (O3) |
|
|
|
Nitrogen fixation |
Process of converting nitrogen gas into ammonia |
|
|
|
Nitrifying bacteria |
Type of soil bacteria that converts ammonia into nitrates |
|
|
|
Nitrifacation |
The process of converting ammonia into nitrates or nitrites |
|
|
|
Denitrification |
The process of converting nitrates in the soil to nitrogen gas |
|
|
|
Primary succession |
The process of changing an environment from an area if bare rock and few species to a complex community |
|
|
|
Climax community |
A stable community that results from the process of succession |
|
|
|
Pioneer species |
Simple hardy plants that first invade or colonize barren ground and change the environment to support new lifeforms |
|
|
|
Humus |
Organic component in soil created by the decomposed bodies if organisms |
|
|
|
Terraforming |
The process of transforming a planet to be for earth-like. |
|
|
|
Secondary succesion |
Return to a stable climax community from an area that has vegetation removed |
|
|
|
Sustainable development |
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations |
|
|
|
Exponential growth |
Rapid growth of a population caused by a constant increase |
|
|
|
Exponential curve (J-curve) |
Distinct shape of graph for a population that is regularly increasing and growing exponentially |
|
|
|
Closed population |
A group of organisms that exists in a natural or artificial setting where immigration and emigration do not occur |
|
|
|
Open population |
Group of organisms that exists in a natural setting where births, deaths, immigration and emigration affect the population numbers |
|
|
|
Carrying capacity |
The maximum number of individuals that can be sustained for an indefinite period in a ecosystem |
|
|
|
S-curve |
Distinctive shape of the graph for a population limited by factors such as diseases, competition and famine |
|
|
|
Morphology |
Detailed shape and form of an animal |
|
|
|
Fossil record |
Record of all life on earth as preserved by all fossils that exist |
|
|
|
Gradualism |
The theory that changes to the organisms in a population occur slowly and steadily over earth's history |
|
|
|
Punctuated equilibrium |
Theory that changes the organisms in a population can occur in rapid spurts followed by long periods of little change |
|
|
|
Mutation |
A chance in genetic instruction |
|
|
|
Theory of evolution |
Theory stating that the nature of a population gradually changes over time |
|
|
|
Theory of natural selection |
Theory stating that evolution takes place because more organisms are produced and can survive in the environment |
|
|
|
Darwinain fitness |
Reproductive success of an organism |
|
|
|
Asexual reproduction |
Production of identical offspring from a single parent cell |
|
