flowering plants
plants that produce flowers
non-flowering plants
plants that don't produce flowers
vertebrates
animals with a backbone
invertebrates
animals without a backbone
morphological features
the shape and structure of the body
scientific name
a universal name for organisms
morphological adaptations
structural adaptations of the organisms either internal or external
interspecific competition
competition between different species
intraspecific competition
competition between members of the same species
biodiversity
the variety or number of different species in a given area
alien species
a species that is introduced to an area that it would not usually be found in order to control specific pests
SSSI
sites of specific scientific interest where are designated areas that are protected
seed/banks
a place where seeds/sperm are stored to preserve genetic diversity for the future
CITES
convention on international trade in endangered species
biological control
the use of living organisms to reduce the population of a pest species
quadrat
a square frame is used to sample a measured area by being placed randomly and the individuals inside are counted and recorded and then used to calculate the population in an area
transect
a set of samples taken along a set line to measure how population changes along a gradient
capture recapture method
used to estimate the population by capturing and marking species and then taking a second sample after some time and using the marked species to calculate the estimated population
chromosome
a long coiled section of DNA usually found in pairs that contains genes
gene
a section of DNA found in chromosomes that controls a particular characteristic
mitosis
the normal form of cell division that is used to produce cells for growth and repair, each division produces two genetically identical cells with the same number of chromosomes as the mother cell
meiosis
this type of cell division produces gametes, each division produces four genetically different cells with half the number of chromosomes as the mother cell
differentiation
when cells multiply and develop to be specialised for a particular purpose
cancer
a disease that is as a result of cells with uncontrolled growth where the cells are multiplying too frequently because of a fault
stem cells
undifferentiated cells that have the capacity yo develop into specialised cells, these can be either taken from an adult, an embryo or the meristem of a plant
gamete
the proper name for the egg and sperm cells or sex cells
allele
a different form of the same gene
amino acids
small molecules that make up a protein
complementary base pairings
describes how the bases in DNA pair up A+T G+C
cystic fibrosis
a genetic disorder caused by homozygous recessive alleles that results in thicker mucus and therefore a mucus build up in the lungs
dominant
the character which shows in the heterozygote
recessive
the character which is masked in the heterozygote
F1 generation
the first generation of a genetic cross as a result of two organisms interbreeding
F2 generation
the second generation of a genetic cross as a result of two organisms from the F1 generation interbreeding
double helix
the shape used to describe the structure of DNA
DNA profiling
the process that involves cutting DNA into short pieces which are then separated into bands and used to show the similarity between two samples
selfing
self fertilisation
genotype
the genetic makeup of an individual
phenotype
the way the gene is seen or expressed, what the individual looks like
heterozygous
an individual who has two different alleles of a particular gene
homozygous
an individual who has two identical alleles
male genotype
XY
female genotype
XX
genetic modification
where a gene from one species can be transfered to another species
continuous variation
where the individual can be at any point along a scale, usually a bell shaped curve graph, usually controlled by more than one gene
discontinuous variation
where the individual is in a distinct category, usually displayed in a bar chart, usually controlled by a single gene