Defining Science, Biology, Ecology, and Climate Concepts (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on science, biology, ecology, climate, and biogeochemical cycles.

Science

The effort to understand the history of the natural world and how it works.

Scientific method

A systematic process: observe, ask questions, research, form a hypothesis, experiment, test, draw conclusions, and report.

Scientific theory

A well-supported explanation of natural phenomena based on extensive evidence.

Biology

Scientific study of all living and once-living organisms.

Cell

The smallest unit of life; basic unit of structure and function in organisms.

Monomer

A small molecule that can join with others to form larger polymers.

Polymer

A large molecule built from repeating monomer units.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose) and oxygen.

Cellular respiration

Process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into ATP (energy), with carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.

Genetic information

Heritable information stored in DNA that enables development, maintenance, and function.

Development

Growth and progression of an organism from start to maturity.

Maintenance

Processes that keep an organism functioning and in good condition.

Function

The biological role or purpose of a structure or process in an organism.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable, narrow range of physiological conditions.

Evolution

A change in an organism’s genetic information over time.

Natural selection

Process by which organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce best, leading to adaptation.

Organism

An individual living thing.

Species

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce viable offspring.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area.

Community

An assemblage of interacting populations in a given area.

Ecosystem

A community plus its abiotic environment (nonliving factors).

Biome

Major terrestrial ecosystems defined by climate and dominant plant life.

Biosphere

All living organisms on Earth and their environments.

Ecology

The science of relationships between organisms and their environment.

Climate

Long-term patterns of weather in a region, distinct from short-term weather.

Weather

Short-term atmospheric conditions.

Solar radiation

Energy from the sun that drives climate and weather.

Greenhouse gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, influencing climate.

Milankovitch cycles

Long-term changes in Earth's movement (eccentricity, obliquity, precession) affecting climate.

Eccentricity

Variation in Earth's orbital shape.

Obliquity

Tilt of Earth's axis relative to its orbital plane.

Axial precession

Wobble of Earth's axis orientation over time.

CO2 (carbon dioxide)

A greenhouse gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect and climate change.

Temperature

A measure of heat; a basic climate variable.

Precipitation

Any form of water that falls from the atmosphere (rain, snow, etc.).

Evapotranspiration

Transfer of water from land to air via evaporation and plant transpiration.

Hydrologic cycle (water cycle)

Movement of water among air, land, and sea through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Coriolis effect

Deflection of moving air and water due to Earth's rotation, influencing wind and currents.

Pelagic zone

Open-ocean region away from the shore.

Photic zone

Ocean layer where sunlight penetrates and photosynthesis can occur.

Aphotic zone

Ocean layer where sunlight cannot penetrate.

Benthic zone

Bottom layer of a body of water, including the ocean floor.

Intertidal zone

Area between high and low tide exposed to air at low tide and submerged at high tide.

Neritic zone

Coastal ocean zone from the low tide line to the edge of the continental shelf.

Oceanic zone

Open ocean beyond the neritic zone.

Littoral zone

Zone near the shore in lakes/ponds, with emergent vegetation.

Limnetic zone

Open-water, well-lit region of a lake away from shore.

Profundal zone

Deep, dark zone of a lake with little or no light.

Source water

The origin point of a river or stream’s water flow.

Mouth (of a river)

Where a river or stream empties into a larger body of water.

Wetlands

Areas with saturated soils supporting emergent vegetation.

Estuaries

Where freshwater mixes with seawater; often highly productive nurseries.

Brackish water

Water with a mix of fresh and saltwater.

Nitrogen cycle

Biogeochemical cycle moving nitrogen through the atmosphere, soil, and organisms.

Nitrogen fixation

Conversion of N2 gas to ammonia (NH3) by bacteria.

Ammonia (NH3)

A nitrogen compound used by some organisms; intermediate in the nitrogen cycle.

Nitrite (NO2-)

Intermediate nitrogen compound in nitrification.

Nitrate (NO3-)

Oxidized form of nitrogen used by plants; final product of nitrification.

Nitrification

Conversion of ammonia to nitrites and then nitrates by bacteria.

Denitrification

Conversion of nitrates/nitrites back to N2 gas, returning nitrogen to the atmosphere.

Phosphorus cycle

Biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus through rocks, sediments, water, and organisms.

Phosphate rocks

Primary reservoir of phosphorus in the environment.

Deep-sea sediments

Storage reservoir for phosphorus in the ocean floor.

Sulfur cycle

Movement of sulfur among rocks, oceans, organisms, and atmosphere.

Volcanic emissions

Atmospheric sulfur input from volcanic activity.

Aquatic ecosystems

Ecosystems in water environments; influenced by abiotic factors like light, depth, temperature, and movement.

Littoral/Limnetic/Profundal zones

Lake zones: nearshore (littoral), open water (limnetic), deep bottom (profundal).

Estuaries (again)

Nursery-rich zones where freshwater and seawater mix.

Trophic levels

Positions in a food chain (producers, consumers at various levels).

Primary producers

Organisms that convert inorganic energy to organic energy (usually photosynthetic organisms).

Primary consumers

Herbivores that eat primary producers.

Secondary consumers

Organisms that eat herbivores.

Tertiary consumers

Organisms that eat secondary consumers.

Omnivores

Organisms that feed on multiple trophic levels.

Detritivores

Decomposers that feed on detritus (waste and dead material).

Scavengers

Organisms that consume larger dead bodies; not detritivores.

Detritus

Dead organic matter and waste abundant in ecosystems.

Keystone species

Species with a disproportionate impact on the ecosystem; example: sea stars.

Food web

Network of interconnected feeding relationships showing energy flow.

Species richness

Number of different species present in a community.

Species evenness

Relative abundance of species within a community.

Biodiversity patterns

Patterns described by Time, Area, and Productivity hypotheses affecting species diversity.

Time hypothesis

Disturbed areas tend to have fewer species than undisturbed areas.

Area hypothesis

Larger geographic areas tend to harbor more species.

Productivity hypothesis

Greater plant production supports greater species diversity.

Keystone species (example)

A species with a major ecological impact (e.g., sea stars in some ecosystems).

Ecological succession

Change in community composition over time following disturbance.

Primary succession

Succession starting in an area with essentially no life remaining.

Secondary succession

Succession following a disturbance that leaves some organisms and nutrients intact.

Climax community

A relatively stable, mature ecosystem that no longer undergoes major succession.

Disturbance

Event that changes a community, initiating succession (e.g., wildfire, deforestation, disease).

Population ecology

Study of how and why populations change in size and composition.

Population distribution

Pattern of how individuals are spread in a population (uniform, random, clumped).

Mark-recapture

Method to estimate population size by capturing, marking, releasing, and recapturing individuals.

Quadrants/Transects

Sampling methods to estimate population size in fixed areas or lines.

Carrying capacity (K)

Maximum number of individuals an environment can sustainably support.

Density-dependent factors

Factors whose effects increase with population size (resources, predation, disease).

Density-independent factors

Factors affecting population regardless of size (weather, climate).

Endemic species

Species restricted to a particular geographic location.

Survivorship curves

Patterns of survival over age in a population: Type I, II, III.