Ionizing Radiation and Melanism in Chornobyl Tree Frogs

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the study of ionizing radiation and its effects on melanism in Chornobyl tree frogs.

Habitat Destruction

The process in which natural habitats are rendered unable to support the species present, often due to human activity.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, often attributed to human activities.

Pollution

The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, damaging natural systems.

Ionizing Radiation

High-energy radiation that can remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, potentially causing damage to DNA and other biomolecules.

Melanism

Increased levels of melanin pigmentation, often resulting in darker coloration in the skin of organisms.

Dorsal Skin Coloration

The coloration of the upper side of an organism's body; in the case of tree frogs, may serve protective functions.

Oxidative Stress

An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, potentially causing cellular damage.

Chornobyl Accident (1986)

A catastrophic nuclear accident that resulted in one of the largest releases of radioactive material into the environment.

Adaptive Responses

Changes in organisms that improve their chances of survival in response to environmental pressures, such as pollution.

Biomarkers

Biological indicators of a condition or process, often used to assess the effects of exposure to toxins or radiation.

Metapopulation

A group of populations that are separated by space but consist of the same species, connected through occasional dispersal.

Melanin Production

The process by which organisms produce melanin, a pigment that can provide protection against UV radiation and oxidative stress.

Ecological Functions of Coloration

Roles that coloration plays in ecology, such as camouflage, mating displays, and warning signals.

Eumelanin vs Pheomelanin

Eumelanin is a type of melanin that appears black or brown, while pheomelanin is yellow-red and is often found in lighter pigmentation.

Selective Pressure

An external factor that affects an organism's likelihood of survival and reproduction, leading to evolutionary changes.