biology unit 1

vocab for unit 1

acid rain

precipitation that is the result of air pollution reacting with water molecules in the atmosphere

animalia

organisms in this kingdom are multicellular heterotrophs without cell walls

archaebacteria

kingdom that includes bacteria that live in extreme environments

autotrophs

an organism that can make its own food; aka producer; one example is plants (by photosynthesis)

binomial nomenclature

two-word naming system for all organisms developed by Linnaeus; gives the scientific name (consisting of genus and species); ex. Homo sapiens

bioaccumulation

the increase in concentration of pollutants in the tissues of organisms as you move up trophic levels in an ecosystem; aka biomagnification

camouflage

an adaptation that enables a species to blend in with its environment

carbon cycle

incorporation of carbon dioxide into living tissue by photosynthesis and its return to the atmosphere through respiration, the decay of dead organisms, and the burning of fossil fuels.

carrying capacity

Largest number of individuals of a population that a environment can support

class

a group of closely related orders

classical conditioning

a type of learning in which an organism comes to associate stimuli. A neutral stimulus that signals an unconditioned stimulus begins to produce a response that anticipates and prepares for the unconditioned stimulus. Also called Pavlovian or respondent conditioning.

classification

the process of grouping organisms based on their physical similarities and DNA

climate change

a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere generally attributed rising levels of carbon dioxide and pollution; formerly called global warming

competition

the struggle between organisms to survive in a habitat with limited resources

consumer

An organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms; aka "heterotroph"

courtship

behavior used to attract a mate

decomposer

organism that breaks down and obtains energy from dead organic matter; an organism that carries out decomposition

deforestation

the destruction of forests

dichotomous key

a series of paired statements used to help identify an organism

domain

the largest taxon; there are 3--Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya

eubacteria

kingdom that includes bacteria that live everywhere (except in extreme environments)

eukaryote

a cell that has a nucleus and other membrane bound organelles

eutrophication

excessive nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plants/algae and a death of animals from a lack of oxygen.

exponential growth

j-shaped, explosive pattern population

external fertilization

process in which eggs are fertilized outside the female's body; ex. most fish

family

a group of closely related genera

fossil fuels

Coal, oil, and natural gas coming from the ancient remains of plants and animals; the burning of these is a major contributor to climate change

fungi

kingdom that includes organisms which are heterotrophs that have cell walls made of chitin; molds, yeasts, and mushrooms are examples

genus

a group of closely related species

greenhouse effect

normal warming effect caused when the sun's rays are trapped by gases in the Earth's atmosphere; without this, the Earth would be a ball of ice

habitat destruction

the loss of natural habitat for species that can lead to extinction

habituation

an organism's decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it

heterotroph

an organism that must get food from its environment; aka consumer; one example is animals

hibernation

a dormant state of lowered metabolism that is an adaptation for surviving winter

imprinting

the process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period very early in life

internal fertilzation

process in which eggs are fertilized inside the female's body: ex. humans

invasive species

plants and animals that are deliberately/accidentally introduced into an area whose populations explode because they have no known natural predators and out-compete native species for resources leading to their decline

kingdom

second largest taxonomic group, consisting of closely related phyla

limiting factor

an environmental condition that restricts the size of a population; examples include: disease, predation, and natural disasters

multicellular

made of two or more cells

mutualism

symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit; ex. good bacteria in the human gut

nitrogen cycle

transfer of nitrogen from the atmosphere to the soil, to living organisms, and back to the atmosphere

nitrogen fixation

process of converting nitrogen in the air, into a form that plants and animals can use (nitrates and nitrites)

non-native species

a species that is not naturally found in an ecosystem, and that does not hinder the survival of other species there

order

a group of closely related families

organism

a living thing

parasitism

form of symbiosis in which one organism, the parasite, benefits and the other organism, the host, is harmed; ex. tick and a dog

pheromone

A chemical released by one animal that affects the behavior of another animal of the same species

phylum

group of closely related classes

placenta

an organ in teh uterus of a pregnant mammal, that nourishes the fetus through the umbilical cord

plantae

kingdom with organisms that are photosynthetic autotrophs and have cell walls made of cellulose

predator

an animal that hunts other animals for food

prey

an animal that is hunted and killed by another for food

producer

an organism that makes its own food; aka "autotroph"

prokaryote

a bacterial cell; a cell that lacks a nucleus and membrane bound organelles

protista

the most diverse kingdom; some are plant-like, some are animal-like, and some are fungus-like; examples include: euglena, paramecium, and amoeba

seed

a plant structure that contains an embryo & food source surrounded by a protective coat

species

the smallest/most specific taxon; a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

spore

a reproductive cell with a hard, protective coating; made by bacteria, fungi, and some plants like ferns

Stewardship

commitment to the responsible management of natural resources and sustainable actions to help preserve the environment

suckling

when a young mammal nurses from its mother

symbiosis

a close relationship between two species living together

taxis

movement toward or away from a stimulus

taxonomy

branch of biology that involves classifying organisms into groups based upon similar characteristics

territoriality

defense of a space against encroachment by other individuals

trial and error learning

behavior in which an animal learns to perform a behavior over and over again until success is achieved; ex. learning to ride a bike

tropism

growth respond of a plant to a stimulus

unicellular

made of one cell

cell

smallest unit of life

waste lagoon

body of water used to dispose of animal wastes on farms; these become problematic when they flood into rivers/drinking water supplies