BIOL 208 Unit 4 - Abiotic Relationships

Macroclimate

The overall climate of a region usually a large geographic area.

Microclimate

The climate of a very small or restricted area, especially when this differs from the climate of the surrounding area.

Evaporative Cooling

The process where a liquid, like sweat, transforms into a gas (water vapor) and, in doing so, absorbs heat from its surroundings, leading to a cooling effect.

Performance

The growth, reproduction, and survival of organisms.

Psychorphilic

Cold-loving organisms.

Thermophilic

Heat-loving organisms.

Insulation

Adding an extra layer of fur, feathers, or fat.

Conduction

Heat transfer through direct contact.

Convection

Heat transfer though fluid or gas movement.

Radiation

Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves.

Ectotherm

An organism whose internal temperature fluctuates with the environment.

Poikilotherm

An organism whose internal temperature varies considerably.

Endotherm

An organism that maintains a constant internal body temperature through metabolic processes.

Homeotherm

An organism that maintains a constant internal body temperature despite environmental conditions.

Nutrients

Chemical compounds required for life.

Detritivore

An organism who sources its energy from dead organic matter.

Herbivore

An organism that obtains its energy from plants.

Omnivore

An organism that consumes both producers and consumers for energy.

Turgor

A plant adaptation to water where plant cells are kept rigid due to water pressure.

Transpiration

The release of water to the atmospher by plants, generally by stomata.

Guard Cells

Plant cells that open and close the stomata according to water availability.

Cholorophyll and Carotenoids

Pigments inside thylakoids that absorb light.

Photorespiration

A process that occurs when Rubisco reacts with oxygen instead of fixing carbon dioxide, wasting some of the energy from photosynthesis.

C3 Photosynthesis

A photosynthesis pathway that occurs in cold climates, where the stomata opens to let in carbon dioxide, which allows water to escape.

C4 Phtotsynthesis

A phtotosynthesis pathway that involves oxoaloacetic acid and PEP carboxylase, and breaks the Calvin Cycle into 2. This pathway reduces water loss by closing the stomata more as PEP carboxylase has a higher carbon affinity.

CAM Photosynthesis (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism)

A photosynthesis pathway that occurs in arid environments, in which light dependant reactions occur during the day and carbon fixation occurs during the night.