Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Genetics, Body Systems, and Evolution Flashcards

Flashcards on Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Genetics, Body Systems, and Evolution

Biotic

Living organisms in an ecosystem

Abiotic

Non-living components of an ecosystem

Producers

Organisms that capture energy from sunlight to produce food

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organisms to recycle nutrients

Biodiversity

The variety of life in an ecosystem

Inheritance

The passing of traits from parents to offspring

Alleles

Different forms of a gene

Dominant Allele

An allele that masks the expression of another allele

Recessive Allele

An allele that is masked by a dominant allele

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment

Circulatory System

The system that transports oxygen and nutrients to cells

Respiratory System

The system responsible for gas exchange in the body

Evolution

The process by which species change over time

Homologous Structures

Structures that are similar in form but different in function, suggesting common ancestry

Natural Selection

The process by which advantageous traits become more common in populations