Africa Lions Unit Topics

Predator

An organism that hunts and consumes other organisms.

Allele

Different forms of a gene at a specific locus.

Karyotype

The number and appearance of chromosomes in a cell.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an organism.

Adaptation

A trait that enhances survival in a specific environment.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a specific gene.

Evolution

The change in heritable traits over generations.

Decomposer

Organisms that break down dead organic material.

Chromosome

A structure composed of DNA and proteins.

Phylogenetic tree

A diagram showing evolutionary relationships among species.

Biomass

The total mass of living organisms in a given area.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms and their environment.

Abiotic

Non-living chemical and physical factors in an environment.

Food web

A complex network of feeding relationships among organisms.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size an environment can sustain.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem.

Fitness

The ability to survive and reproduce in a specific environment.

Ingested

Substances taken into an organism for nourishment.

Egested

Waste materials expelled from an organism after digestion.

Macromolecule

Large molecules essential for life, including proteins and carbohydrates.

Amino acid

Building blocks of proteins, consisting of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Enzyme

A protein that accelerates biochemical reactions.

Apex predator

The top predator in an ecosystem with no natural enemies.

Prey

Organism hunted by predators for food.

Competitor

Organism competing for resources in an ecosystem.

Parentage

Lineage or ancestry of an organism.

Homozygous

Having identical alleles for a specific gene.

Genetics

Study of heredity and variation in organisms.

Gene

Basic unit of heredity, consisting of DNA.

Detritivore

Organism that feeds on decomposing organic matter.

Habitat

Natural environment where an organism lives.

Niche

Role and position of a species in its habitat.

Population

Group of individuals of the same species in an area.

Species

Group of organisms capable of interbreeding.

Community

All populations of different species in an area.

Biotic

Living components of an ecosystem.

Digestion

Process of breaking down food for nutrient absorption.

Competition

Interaction between organisms for limited resources.

Protein

Macromolecule made of amino acids, essential for life.

Carbohydrate

Organic compound providing energy, composed of sugars.

Lipid

Fatty substance important for energy storage and cell structure.

DNA

Material present in nearly all living organisms that carries all genetic information and makes up chromesomes.

Producer

Organism that creates energy via photosynthesis.

Consumer

Organism that obtains energy by eating others.

Herbivore

Consumer that exclusively eats plants.

Carnivore

Consumer that exclusively eats other animals.

Omnivore

Consumer that eats both plants and animals.

Decomposer

Organism that breaks down dead matter.

Food Web

Complex network of interrelated food chains.

Ecological Pyramid

Diagram showing energy flow through trophic levels.

10% Rule

Only 10% of energy is transferred between levels.

Organic Compounds

Essential molecules: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids.

Trophic Levels

Hierarchical levels in an ecosystem's food chain.