Climate Change & Symbiotic Relationships - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on climate change and symbiotic relationships.

Weather

Short-term atmospheric conditions at a location and time (temperature, precipitation, wind).

Climate

Long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions in a region, averaged over years to decades.

Global warming

The long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature.

Climate change

Long-term changes in climate patterns caused by natural and human factors, including warming and shifting weather patterns.

Greenhouse effect

Natural process where certain atmospheric gases trap heat from the sun, warming the Earth's surface.

Greenhouse gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to warming (e.g., water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane).

Water vapor

H2O in the atmosphere; a major greenhouse gas that amplifies warming.

Carbon dioxide

CO2; a greenhouse gas released by respiration and burning of fossil fuels; a major climate forcing gas.

Methane

CH4; a potent greenhouse gas released from natural and human sources; strong heat-trapping ability.

Sulfur dioxide

SO2; a pollutant not typically categorized as a main greenhouse gas.

Fossil fuels

Energy sources formed from ancient organisms that release CO2 when burned (coal, oil, natural gas).

Coal

A solid fossil fuel used for energy; high carbon content.

Deforestation

Removal or clearing of forests; reduces carbon storage and alters climate.

Renewable energy

Energy from sources naturally replenished and with low emissions (solar, wind, hydro).

Enhanced greenhouse effect

Human-caused increase in greenhouse gas concentrations leading to extra warming beyond the natural greenhouse effect.

Symbiotic relationship

Close, long-term interaction between two different species living in contact.

Mutualism

Symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

Commensalism

One species benefits while the other is unaffected.

Parasitism

One species benefits at the expense of the other (the host).

Predation

Interaction where one organism hunts and kills another for food.

Herbivory

Interaction where an animal feeds on living plants or algae.

Predator

An organism that hunts and kills prey.

Prey

An organism that is hunted and eaten by a predator.

Obligate mutualism

Both species depend on each other for survival.

Facultative mutualism

Mutual benefit, but species can survive separately; not essential for survival.

Remora–shark relationship

Commensalism where remora benefits by hitchhiking and feeding on scraps; the shark is largely unaffected.

Interference competition

Direct competition where individuals actively prevent others from accessing resources.

Exploitation competition

Indirect competition where species compete by consuming shared resources.

Interspecific competition

Competition between individuals of different species for a limited resource.

Intraspecific competition

Competition among individuals of the same species for limited resources.

Predator vs herbivore

Predator hunts and kills animals; herbivore eats plant tissues.

Pollinators and flowering plants

An example of mutualism where pollinators receive nectar while aiding plant reproduction.