Energy, Ecology, Genetics, and Evolution Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to energy, predation, ecological interactions, genetics, and evolution from the lecture video notes.

Net Energy Cost

The total energy expended by an organism while hunting or capturing prey, including movement, searching, and pursuit; used to understand predator–prey energy balance.

Energy Available from Prey

Total caloric content or nutritional value contained in prey, representing the potential energy gain from successful capture and consumption.

Net Energy Gained

The difference between the energy obtained from prey and the energy expended during hunting.

Interactions

Dynamic relationships between organisms in an ecosystem, including communication, competition, predation, and cooperation.

Adaptations

Specific physical or behavioral traits that enable organisms to survive and thrive through natural selection.

Phenomenon

An observable event in nature that can be studied scientifically and explained.

Interdependent

A relationship where different organisms or systems rely on each other for survival, growth, or functioning.

Physical Trait

A measurable or observable characteristic of an organism's body structure or appearance.

Behavioral Trait

Specific patterns of action or response exhibited by an organism in response to environmental stimuli.

Adaptive

The ability of an organism to modify or adjust its characteristics to better suit its environment.

Beneficial

A trait that provides an advantage to an organism's survival or reproductive success.

Metabolic Rate

The rate at which an organism converts food and oxygen into energy for cellular functions.

Total Energy Cost

The complete amount of energy expended by an organism during a specific biological process.

Total Energy Available

The maximum potential energy that can be utilized by an organism from its available resources.

Necessary Energy

The minimum amount of energy required for an organism to maintain basic life functions.

Energy Acquisition

The process by which organisms obtain and utilize energy from their environment.

Hunting Strategy

A specific approach or method used by predators to capture and consume prey efficiently.

Inheritance

The biological process of passing genetic characteristics from parents to offspring.

Chromosome

A structured DNA molecule that carries genetic information and determines inherited traits.

Allele

A variant form of a gene located at a specific position on a chromosome.

Chromosomal Characteristics

Specific features and structures of chromosomes that influence genetic inheritance.

Genetic Inheritance

The transmission of genetic material and traits from one generation to another.

Variation

The differences in characteristics among individuals within a population.

Karyotype

A visual representation of an organism's complete set of chromosomes.

Genes

Segments of DNA that encode specific proteins and determine inherited characteristics.

Trait

A distinguishable characteristic or feature of an organism.

Geography

The study of physical characteristics, populations, and interactions within specific regions.

Proximity

The nearness or closeness of organisms or populations to each other.

Geographic Proximity

The physical closeness of populations within a specific geographical area.

Migration

The movement of organisms from one geographical region to another.

Geographic Isolation

The separation of populations by physical barriers that prevent genetic exchange.

Genetic Divergence

The accumulation of genetic differences between populations over time.

Source Population

The original population from which other populations are derived.

Genetic Patterns

Recurring characteristics or trends in genetic composition across generations.

Molecular Evidence

Scientific data at the molecular level that supports evolutionary relationships.

Evolution

The process of change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

Nucleotide Bases

The fundamental building blocks of DNA that encode genetic information.

Phylogenetic Tree

A branching diagram showing evolutionary relationships among biological species.

Shared Ancestry

Common genetic origins between different species or populations.

Evolutionary Relationship

The genetic connections and historical development between different organisms or species.