Bio 1: Chap. 3 Vocab

Biosphere

includes all parts of Earth in which life exists

Ecology

the study of organisms and their interactions

Species

a group of similar organisms that can breed & produce fertile offspring

Population

a group of individuals that belong to the same species & live in the same area

Community

an assemblage of different populations that live together in a defined area

Ecosystem

all the organisms that live in a place together with their physical environment

Biotic factor

any living part of the environment

Abiotic factor

any non-living part of the environment

Atmosphere

all the gases that surround Earth

Hydrosphere

all Earth’s fresh water and salt water, including water vapor & rain in the atmosphere, water underground, & ice

Geosphere

all the “usually solid stuff” - rocks, continents, & the ocean floor. Deep inside the Earth, portions of the geosphere are liquid

Climate

patterns & averages of temperature, precipitation, clouds, & wind over many years

Weather

short-term changes in temperature, precipitation, clouds, & wind from day to day, or minute to minute

Greenhouse effect

gases act like glass in a greenhouse & trap heat

Biomes

described in terms of abiotic factors such as climate & soil type, & biotic factors such as plant & animal life, 12 different types on Earth

Canopy

a dense, leafy covering formed by tall trees

Understory

a layer formed by shorter trees & vines

Humus

a material formed from decaying leaves & other organic matter

Taiga

dense forests of coniferous evergreens along the northern edge of the temperate zone called boreal forests

Permafrost

a layer of permanently frozen subsoil

Photic zone

the sunlit region near the surface of the water where photosynthesis can occur

Aphotic zone

the dark zone in the ocean where photosynthesis can NOT occur

Plankton

floating algae (phytoplankton) & free-swimming animals called zooplankton on which many aquatic ecosystems rely

Wetland

an ecosystem in which water either covers the soil or is present at or near the surface for at least part of the year

Estuary

a wetland formed where a river meets the sea, serve as spawning grounds for many ecologically & commercially important fish & shellfish