Variation, Homeostasis, and Micro-Organisms

Biodiversity

The total number and variety of species in a specific area.

Sampling Methods

Techniques used to analyze biodiversity in an ecosystem.

Competition

The struggle between organisms for limited resources.

Predation

The interaction where one organism hunts and eats another.

Disease

A condition that impairs normal functioning in organisms.

Pollution

The presence of harmful substances in the environment.

Classification

The process of organizing species based on shared traits.

Kingdom

The broadest classification category in biology.

Animal Kingdom

A group of multicellular organisms that consume organic material.

Plant Kingdom

A group of multicellular organisms that produce their own food via photosynthesis.

Fungi Kingdom

A group of organisms that decompose organic matter.

Protoctists

A diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms.

Homeostasis

The regulation of internal conditions to maintain stability.

Negative Feedback

A mechanism that counteracts changes in a system.

Endotherms

Animals that regulate their body temperature internally.

Enzymes

Proteins that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Metabolism

The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms.

Pathogens

Microorganisms that cause disease.

Bacteria

Single-celled organisms that can be beneficial or harmful.

Viruses

Non-living infectious agents that require a host to reproduce.

Fungi

Organisms that absorb nutrients from decomposing matter.

Protozoa

Single-celled eukaryotic organisms, often pathogenic.

Antibiotics

Medicines that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Vaccination

A method of stimulating immunity against specific diseases.

Antibodies

Proteins that recognize and neutralize foreign invaders.

White Blood Cells

Cells that defend the body against pathogens.

Immune Response

The body's defense mechanism against harmful microorganisms.

Mutation

A change in the genetic material of an organism.

Evolution

The gradual change in species over time due to natural selection.

Natural Selection

The process where advantageous traits become more common.

Antibiotic Resistance

The ability of bacteria to survive antibiotic treatments.

Genetic Variation

Differences in DNA among individuals in a population.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that regulate bodily functions.

Insulin

A hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.

Adrenaline

A hormone released in response to stress or danger.

Diabetes

A condition where blood sugar levels are not properly regulated.

Osmoregulation

The control of water balance in an organism.

Thermoregulation

The process of maintaining a stable body temperature.

Sweating

A cooling mechanism in humans through evaporative heat loss.

Shivering

A heat-producing response to cold temperatures.

Hypothalamus

The brain region responsible for regulating homeostasis.

Microorganisms

Tiny living organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Epidemiology

The study of disease spread and control in populations.

Phagocytosis

The process by which cells engulf and digest foreign particles.

Toxins

Poisonous substances produced by microorganisms.

Quarantine

The isolation of individuals to prevent disease spread.

Gene Therapy

A technique that modifies genes to treat or prevent disease.

Biotechnology

The use of living organisms to develop useful products.

Immune System

The body's complex network of defenses against pathogens.

Antigen

A substance that triggers an immune response by stimulating antibody production.