8.1 Living Systems Word List

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards defining key biological and ecological terms from the 8.1 Living Systems word list.

abiotic

The non-living components of an ecosystem, e.g. air, water, soil

allelopathy

A relationship where one organism produces chemicals that influence the growth, survival and reproduction of other organisms

alveolus

Also known as an air sac, they provide a large surface area for the exchange of gases with the blood

artery

The type of blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart

atrium

The top inflow chambers of the heart

biodiversity

The variety of all living things on Earth

biomass

The total mass of all organisms in a given population or trophic level

biosphere

The sum of all the ecosystems on Earth

biotic

The living components of an ecosystem, e.g. plants, animals and fungi

bladder

The organ that stores urine temporarily

breathing

The act of inhaling and exhaling air

bronchiole

The bronchi divide into many of these tiny tubes; each enter an air sac

bronchus

The two branching tubes from the trachea, each connected to a lung

capillaries

The network of very small blood vessels that connect arteries to veins

carnivore

An animal whose diet consists primarily of other animals

chemical digestion

The chemical breaking down of complex chemicals within food into simpler substances that can be absorbed into the bloodstream

chlorophyll

A green pigment found in chloroplasts that is required for the process photosynthesis

coexistence

Where different species maintain stable populations in the same place and time, despite competing for resources

commensalism

A relationship in which one species benefits, and the other is not affected

community

A group of populations living and interacting with each other in an area

consumer

An organism that consumes organisms to obtain glucose

decomposer

Organisms that obtain glucose by breaking down dead or decaying organisms

diaphragm

The curved muscle that separates the chest cavity and the abdomen which controls breathing

duodenum

The upper part of small intestine that receives bile and pancreatic juice

ecology

The study of the interactions of organisms with each other and with their physical environment

ecosystem

A biological community of living organisms interacting with each other as well as the non-living components of their physical environment

elimination

The removal of undigested, solid waste in the form of faeces

epiglottis

A flap of elastic cartilage that covers the trachea during swallowing

excretion

The removal of metabolic wastes which are produced by cells

habitat

The natural home or environment of an organism where it is normally found

herbivore

An animal whose diet consists primarily of plant matter

introduced species

A non-indigenous species which is living outside its native area

kidney

The organ that filters the blood of wastes

mechanical digestion

The physical breaking down of large food particles by chewing, churning and emulsification

mutualism

A relationship in which both species benefit

nephron

The filtering units of the kidney

niche

The sum of all the interactions between a species and its biotic and abiotic environment

oesophagus

The tube leading from the back of the throat to the stomach

omnivore

An animal whose diet regularly consists of both animal and plant matter

palisade mesophyll

Cell located near the upper surface of leaves which are the primary site of photosynthesis

pancreas

The gland that secretes pancreatic juice into the duodenum

parasitism

A relationship that benefits one species (parasite) and harms the other (host)

phloem

The vessels in plants responsible for conducting organic compounds such as glucose

photosynthesis

The process carried out by green plants where carbon dioxide reacts with water in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll to produce glucose and oxygen

plasma

The clear fluid component of the blood which transports blood cells, nutrients and wastes around the body

population

A group of organisms of the same species who live in the same area at the same time

predation

A relationship where one species kills and consumes another

producer

An organism that creates its own glucose, usually via photosynthesis

pulmonary

The part of the circulation system which involves the flow of blood to and from the lungs

rectum

The last section of the large intestine which stores wastes until they are eliminated

respiration

A chemical reaction carried out by all living cells where glucose and oxygen react to produce carbon dioxide, water and releases energy

stomach

The bag shaped organ which churns food with gastric juices

stomata

Pores in the leaf surface (more commonly found on the underside) which allow the passage of gases and water (singular: stoma or stomate)

symbiosis

Any close and prolonged interaction between individuals of two different species

systemic

The part of the circulation system which involves the flow of blood to and from the body

trachea

The tube leading from the back of the throat to the bronchi. Also called the windpipe

transpiration

The process by which water evaporates from the leaf surface via stomata

trophic level

An organism’s position in a food web, based on its feeding habits

ureter

The tube carrying urine, leading from the kidney to the bladder

urethra

The tube carrying urine, leading from the bladder to outside the body

vein

The type of blood vessel that carries blood to the heart

ventricle

The bottom outflow chambers of the heart

villi

Projections which increase the surface area of the small intestine

xylem

The vessels in plants responsible for transporting water