Untitled Flashcard Set

Abiotic Factor: Nonliving component of an ecosystem

Adaptation: Heritable trait that improves survival or reproduction

Algal Bloom: Rapid increase in algae within an aquatic ecosystem

Annual Growth Ring: Layer of secondary xylem produced during one growing season

Annual Plant: Plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season

Apical Meristem: Meristem responsible for primary growth (length)

Atmospheric Nitrogen (N2): Nitrogen gas that makes up most of Earth's atmosphere

Axillary Bud: Bud that can develop into a branch

Biome: Large geographic region characterized by climate and vegetation

Biosphere: All regions of Earth that support life

Boreal Forest (Taiga): Cold conifer-dominated forest

Carbon Cycle: Movement of carbon through ecosystems

Chaparral: Biome with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters

Climate: Long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation

Climax Community: Relatively stable community that develops late in succession

Cohesion-Tension Theory: Model explaining water movement through xylem due to transpiration pull

Community: All interacting populations in an area

Competitive Species: Species favored in stable environments

Cone: Reproductive structure of gymnosperms that produces pollen or seeds

Conifer (Gymnosperm): Seed plant that produces naked seeds, usually in cones

Cortex: Ground tissue often used for storage

Cotyledon: Embryonic seed leaf

Cuticle: Waxy layer that reduces water loss

Decomposer: Organism that recycles nutrients from dead matter

Denitrification: Conversion of nitrate into atmospheric nitrogen gas

Desert: Biome characterized by very low precipitation

Dicot (Eudicot): Flowering plant with two cotyledons and ringed vascular bundles

Disturbance: Event that changes ecosystem structure or resource availability

Dormancy: Inactive state allowing seeds to survive unfavorable conditions

Ecology: Study of interactions among organisms and their environment

Ecosystem: Community plus its physical environment

Endodermis: Root tissue that regulates movement into vascular tissue

Energy Pyramid: Diagram showing energy available at different trophic levels

Epidermis: Outer protective layer of plant cells

Eutrophication: Nutrient enrichment of water that often leads to algal blooms

Fern: Seedless vascular plant that reproduces with spores

Fibrous Root System: Root system consisting of many similarly sized roots

Food Chain: Linear sequence of energy transfer among organisms

Food Web: Network of interconnected food chains

Guard Cell: Cell that controls opening and closing of a stoma

Intercalary Meristem: Meristem allowing regrowth after cutting or grazing

Internode: Section of stem between two nodes

Lateral Meristem: Meristem responsible for secondary growth (width)

Lateral Root: Root branch arising from another root

Leaf: Primary organ for photosynthesis

Limiting Factor: Factor that restricts survival, growth, or distribution

Meristem: Region of actively dividing cells

Mesophyll: Leaf tissue containing most photosynthetic cells

Monocot: Flowering plant with one cotyledon and parallel veins

Nitrate (NO3-): A biologically available form of nitrogen used by plants

Nitrogen Cycle: Movement of nitrogen through ecosystems

Nitrogen Fixation: Conversion of N2 into biologically usable forms

Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria: Bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms

Node: Point on a stem where leaves or branches attach

Ovule: Structure that develops into a seed after fertilization

Pericycle: Root tissue that gives rise to lateral roots

Permafrost: Permanently frozen soil

Phenology: Timing of recurring biological events

Phloem: Vascular tissue that transports sugars

Phosphorus Cycle: Movement of phosphorus through ecosystems

Pollen: Structure that transports sperm without requiring free water

Population: All individuals of the same species living in an area

Precipitation: Water falling from the atmosphere as rain, snow, sleet, or hail

Primary Consumer: Herbivore that eats producers

Primary Growth: Growth that increases length of roots and shoots

Primary Succession: Succession beginning without soil

Producer: Organism that captures energy through photosynthesis

Range of Tolerance: Range of conditions in which a species can survive

Root Cap: Protective covering over the growing root tip

Root Hair: Epidermal extension that increases absorption

Root: Organ that anchors a plant and absorbs water and minerals

Savanna: Tropical grassland with scattered trees

Secondary Consumer: Organism that consumes primary consumers

Secondary Growth: Increase in stem or root diameter

Seed: Structure containing an embryo, food supply, and protective coat

Species: Organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring

Stem: Organ that supports leaves and transports materials

Stoma: Pore that regulates gas exchange and water loss

Stress-Tolerant Species: Species adapted to survive harsh environmental conditions

Succession: Gradual change in community composition over time

Succulent Tissue: Water-storing tissue in plants

Taproot: Large primary root that grows downward

Temperate Deciduous Forest: Biome with seasonal leaf drop

Temperate Grassland: Grass-dominated biome maintained by fire and grazing

Terminal Bud: Bud at stem tip responsible for growth in length

Tertiary Consumer: Organism that consumes secondary consumers

Transpiration: Loss of water vapor from plant surfaces

Trichome: Hair-like structure found on above-ground plant tissues

Trophic Cascade: Chain reaction caused by changes in a food web

Trophic Efficiency: Percent of energy transferred between trophic levels

Trophic Level: Feeding position in a food chain or web

Tropical Rainforest: Warm, wet biome with high biodiversity

Tundra: Cold biome with permafrost

Vascular Cambium: Lateral meristem that produces secondary xylem and phloem

Vascular Tissue: Specialized tissue that transports water, minerals, and sugars through a plant

Water Conservation: Traits that reduce water loss

Waxy Cuticle: Waterproof layer that helps prevent water loss from plant surfaces

Weedy Species: Fast-growing colonizers of disturbed habitats

Xylem: Vascular tissue that transports water and dissolved minerals