Biology - MYP 5

🧬 Genetics & Evolution 🌱 Ecology & Environment 🧠 Nervous system 🧪 Biotechnology

Adaptive features

Traits that help an organism survive in its environment

Keystone species

A species that has a major impact on the ecosystem if removed

Symbiosis

A close relationship between two species

Commensalism

A type of symbiosis where one benefits and the other is unaffected

Quaternary consumer

A predator at the top of the food chain

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead matter

Neuron

A nerve cell that sends electrical signals

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that carry messages between neurons

Synaptic cleft

The gap between two neurons where signals pass

Dendrites

Branches on neurons that receive signals

Myelin sheath

A fatty layer that speeds up signal transmission in neurons

Nucleotide

The building block of DNA (sugar

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a trait

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a trait

Evolution

Change in the genetic traits of a population over time

Industrial melanism

Darkening of organisms due to industrial pollution

Population growth

Increase in the number of individuals in a population

Effects of pollution on the environment

Harmful impacts like global warming

Acid rain and eutrophication

Rain with low pH + water pollution from too many nutrients

Biotechnology

Using living organisms to develop useful products

Cloning

Making a genetically identical copy of an organism

Genetic modification

Changing genes of an organism for specific traits

Detritivores

Organisms that eat dead organic matter and digest it internally (e.g. earthworms

Saprotrophs

Organisms like fungi and bacteria that digest dead matter externally and absorb the nutrients

Scavengers

Animals that feed on dead animals they did not kill themselves (e.g. vultures

Gene flow

Movement of genes between populations

Genetic drift

Random change in allele frequency

Selective breeding

Humans choosing organisms to reproduce for desired traits

Natural selection

Process where organisms with beneficial traits survive and reproduce more

Mutation

A random change in DNA that can introduce new traits into a population

Speciation

Formation of new species due to genetic divergence

Photoreceptors

Detect light (found in the eyes)

Chemoreceptors

Detect chemicals (like taste or smell)

Thermoreceptors

Detect changes in temperature

Mechanoreceptors

Detect touch

Nociceptors

Detect pain from damage or potential harm

Proprioceptors

Detect body position and movement (muscles