Biology - Ecology & Biotechnology Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key ecology and biotechnology terms from the lecture notes.

Water cycle

The continuous movement of water within the Earth, linking living and non-living parts through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, percolation, and transpiration.

Carbon cycle

The circulation of carbon among plants, animals, air, oceans, and soil, involving photosynthesis, respiration, decay, and fossil fuel combustion.

Evaporation

The process by which water on the Earth’s surface is heated by the Sun and becomes water vapour.

Condensation

Water vapour cooling and turning into liquid water, forming clouds.

Precipitation

Water droplets in clouds becoming heavy and falling to Earth as rain, snow, or hail.

Percolation

Water seeping down through soil and rock due to gravity.

Transpiration

Loss of water vapour from plant leaves during gas exchange.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants and algae use light to convert CO2 and water into glucose and oxygen.

Respiration

Process by which organisms break down glucose with oxygen to release energy, producing CO2 and water.

Decomposition/Decay

Microorganisms break down dead material, returning nutrients to the environment.

Storage carbohydrate

Glycogen and starch; forms that store glucose as energy for later use.

Abiotic factor

A non-living factor in the environment that can affect living organisms (e.g., moisture, light, temperature, pH).

Biotic factor

A living component of the environment that affects populations (e.g., predators, pathogens, competition).

Light intensity

A measure of how much light is available; an abiotic factor influencing photosynthesis and plant growth.

Temperature

A measure of heat; an abiotic factor affecting metabolic rates and distribution of organisms.

Moisture

Amount of water available in the environment; an abiotic factor affecting habitats and organisms.

CO2 level

Concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; an abiotic factor influencing photosynthesis.

Oxygen level

Amount of oxygen available in a given environment; an abiotic factor affecting respiration.

Soil pH/mineral content

Acidity/alkalinity and mineral nutrients in soil; abiotic factors influencing plant growth.

Abiotic changes

Changes in non-living environmental factors (e.g., light, temperature) that can alter population sizes.

Biotic change

Introduction or change in living factors (e.g., new predators, pathogens) affecting ecosystems.

Population size

Number of individuals of a species in a specific area.

Habitat

The physical environment where an organism lives, providing resources and conditions for survival.

Community

All populations of different species living and interacting in a particular habitat.

Ecosystem

A community of organisms and their physical environment, interacting as a system.

Interdependence

Dependence of species on each other for food, shelter, pollination, and other needs.

Competition

Organisms competing for limited resources such as light, space, water, and nutrients.

Producer

An organism, usually a green plant or algae, that makes its own food via photosynthesis.

Primary consumer

An organism that feeds on producers (herbivore).

Secondary consumer

An organism that feeds on primary consumers (carnivore/omnivore).

Tertiary consumer

An organism that feeds on secondary consumers (top predator level).

Apex predator

A predator at the top of a food chain with no natural predators.

Prey

An organism that is eaten by another organism.

Detritus feeder

Organisms that feed on dead organic matter or waste, including detritivores and some microorganisms.

Quadrat

A square frame used to sample a defined area and estimate the abundance of organisms.

Transect

A method of studying distribution by sampling along a line or across a line with sampling points or quadrats.

Biodiversity

The variety of living species in an area; important for ecosystem stability and resilience.

Deforestation

Removal of forests, reducing biodiversity and carbon sequestration, and altering habitats.

Global warming

Long-term rise in Earth’s average surface temperature due to enhanced greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse gases

Gases such as CO2 and methane that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to warming.

Peat bog

Wetlands where partially decayed vegetation accumulates as peat, storing carbon; draining releases CO2.

Sustainable food production

Producing enough food without depleting resources or harming the environment; includes regulations and practices to maintain ecosystems.

Fishing quotas

Government limits on the amount or size of fish that can be caught to prevent overfishing.

Net size (mesh size)

Regulated mesh size in nets to control what and how many fish can be caught.

Overfishing

Removing fish from oceans faster than they can reproduce, reducing stocks.

GM crop

Crop that has been genetically modified for traits like pest resistance or drought tolerance.

Biotechnology

Using living systems and organisms to develop or make products, including genetic engineering and fermentation.

Mycoprotein

Protein-rich food produced from fungi, used as a vegetarian protein source.

Insulin production (bacteria)

Producing human insulin by inserting the insulin gene into bacteria (recombinant DNA technology).

Plasmid

Circular DNA molecule used as a vector to carry genes in genetic engineering.

Restriction enzyme

Enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific sequence, creating fragments with sticky ends.

Sticky ends

Exposed single-stranded overhangs on DNA after cutting, enabling joining with complementary ends.

Recombinant DNA

DNA formed by joining DNA from different organisms or sources.

Biogas

Gas produced by anaerobic digestion of waste (mainly methane) used as fuel.

Digester

A vessel or system where organic waste is broken down anaerobically to produce biogas.

Lipase

Digestive enzyme that breaks down fats; used in decay experiments to study enzyme activity.

Biomass

Total mass of living material in a given area or at a given trophic level.

Biomass transfer

Movement of biomass from one trophic level to the next; efficiency is typically low.

Pyramid of biomass

A diagram that shows the relative biomass at each trophic level in a food chain.

Food security

Having reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for a population.

Trophic levels

Levels in a food chain: producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers, apex predators.

Energy transfer efficiency

Percentage of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next (next level biomass ÷ previous level biomass × 100).