Biology-Grade 10

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herbivore: organism that obtains energy by eating only plants
hypothesis: suggested, testable answer to a well-defined scientific question
quantitative: with numbers
trophic level: each step in a food chain or food web
demographic transition: change in a population from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates
controlled experiment: a test of the effect of a single variable by changing it while keeping all other variables the same
evolution: change in a kind of organism over time; process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms
concentration: the mass of the solute
substrate: reactant of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction
nucleus: the center of the atom which contains the protons and neutrons; in cells, structure that cotains the cell's genetic material (DNA) and controls the cell's activities
predator-prey relationship: mechanism of population control in which a population is regulated by predation
mRNA: RNA molecule that carries copies of instructions for the assembly of amino acids into proteins from DNA to the rest of the cell
immigration: movement of individuals into an area occupied by an existing population
estuary: ecosystem where fresh meets ocean water
competition: when there aren't enough resources such as food, water, and habitat
evaporation: the process by which water changes from liquid form to an atmospheric gas
inference: logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience
cohesion: attraction between molecules of the same substance
zooplankton: tiny animals that form part of the plankton
photic zone: well-lit upper layer of the oceans
asexual reproduction: process by which a single parent reproduces by itself
pioneer species: first species to populate an area during primary succession
diversity: the variation of life forms within a given ecosystem
biology: science that seeks to understand the living world
cell wall: strong supporting layer around the cell membrane in plants, algae, and some bacteria
biosphere: It contains the combined portions of the planet in which all of life exists, including land, water, and air or atmosphere.
monomer: small unit that can join together with other small units to form polymers
prey: an animal hunted or seized for food
spontaneous generation: hypothesis (disproven) stating that life could arise from nonliving matter
rate: A rate is a special kind of ratio, indicating a relationship between two measurements with different[citation needed] units
spontaneous generation: hypothesis (disproven) stating that life could arise from nonliving matter
theory: well tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations
symbiosis: any relationship in which two species live closely together with mutalism, commensalism, parasitism
Enzyme: any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions
nitrogen cycle: The circulation of nitrogen in nature, consisting of a cycle of chemical reactions in which atmospheric nitrogen is compounded, dissolved in rain, and deposited in the soil
Science: way of using evidence to learn about the natural world
herbivore: consumer that eats only producers
aphotic zone: permanently dark layer of the oceans below the photic zone
glucose: sugar, mono-sacride
arginine: one of the amino acids
chemosynthesis: when organisms use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates
transcription (H): process in which part of the nucleotide sequence of DNA is copied into a complementary sequence in RNA
detritus: particles of organic material that provide food for organisms at the base of an estuary's food web
glycine: an amino acid
DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; nucleic acid that contains the sugar deoxyribose
competitive exclusion principle: ecological rule that states that no two species can occupy the same exact niche in the same habitat at the same time
commensalism: symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits, while the other organsim is neither harmed nor helped
compound light microscope: microscope that allows light to pass through a specimen and uses two lenses to form an image
science: organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world; also, the body of knowledge that scientists have built up after years of using this process
carnivore: consumer that eats only other consumers
kelp forest: coastal ocean community named for its dominant organism—kelp, a giant brown alga
logistic growth: growth pattern in which a population's growth rate slows or stops following a period of exponential growth
RNA: ribonucleic acid; single-stranded nucleic acid that contains the sugar ribose
competition exclusion principle: No two species can occupy the same niche in the same habitat at the same time
conclusion: the end or close; final part
symbiosis: relationship in which two species live closely together
microclimate: a climate of a small area differs dramatically from that of surrounding areas
density-dependent limiting factors: competition, disease, parasitism, predation
suspensions: mixtures of water and nondissolved material
commensalism: one gets an advantage and the other doesn't lose anything, whale and barnacles
cell membrane: thin, flexible barrier around a cell; regulates what enters and leaves the cell
control group: group/trail where all conditions are kept the same
stimulus: a signal to which an organism responds
codon: three-nucleotide sequence on messenger RNA that codes for a single amino acid
carbon cycle: process by which carbon moves from inorganic to organic compounds and back
metaphase: second phase of mitosis, during which the chromosomes line up across the center of the cell
benthos: organisms that live attached to or near the ocean floor
step 2: make a hypothesis
dependent variable: The observed variable in an experiment or study whose changes are determined by the presence or degree of one or more independent variables
absorption: uptake of small nutrient molecules; the third stage of food processing
base: support the microscope or holds it up
dehyrdration synthesis: take out one water molecule to bond two
ionic bond: bond formed when one or more electrons are transferred from one atom to another
stage clips: holds the slide in place
homeostasis: process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment
food web: network of complex interactions formed by the feeding relationships among the various organisms in an ecosystem
rRNA: type of RNA that makes up the major part of ribosomes
carnivore: organism that obtains energy by eating animals
What are eight levels of organization at which biologists study life, from smallest to largest?: molecules, cells, group of cells, organisms, population, community, ecosytem, biosphere
chromosome: threadlike structure within the nucelus containing the genetic information that is passed from one generation of cells to the next
limiting nutrient: when an ecosystem is limited by a single nutrient that is scarce or cycles very slowly
food chain: a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten
element: substance consisting entirely of one type of atom
arm: supports the microscope when carried
light source: projects light up through the aperture the specimen and the lenses
evaporation: process by which water changes from a liquid into an atmospheric gas
eyepiece: contains ocular lens
law: fact of nature
nucleotide: monomer of nucleic acids made up of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base
emigration: movement of individuals out of a population
four main characteristics of a population?: geographic distribution, density, growth rate, age structure
biotic factor: biological influence on organisms within an ecosystem
Titration: process in which a solution of known concentration is used to determine the concentration of another solution
responding variable: factor in an experiment that a scientist wants to observe, which may change in response to the manipulated variable; also known as a dependent variable
manipulated variables: conditions in an experiment that is purposely changed
salt marsh: temperate-zone estuary dominated by salt-tolerant grasses above the low-tide line and by seagrasses under water
taiga: biome in which the winters are cold but summers are mild enough to allow the ground to thaw
habitat: the area where an organism lives, including the biotic and abiotic factors that affect it
nucleus: the center of the atom which contains the protons and neutrons; in cells, structure that contains the cell's genetic material (DNA) and controls the cell's activities
mitosis: park of eukaryotic cell division during which the cell nucleus divides
solution: mixture of two or more substances in which the molecules of the substances are evenly distributed
coastal ocean: marine zone that extends from the low-tide mark to the end of the continental shelf
dietary fiber: Coarse, indigestible plant matter, consisting primarily of polysaccharides, that when eaten stimulates intestinal peristalsis.
cytoplasm: material inside the cell membrane- not including the nucleus
body tube: long tube that eyepiece is on top of
high power objective: 40x
niche: full range of physical and biological conditions in which an organism lives and the way in which the organism uses those conditions
chloroplast: organelle found in cells of plants and some other organisms that captures the enrgy from sunlight and converts it into chemical energy
protein: macromolecule that contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen; needed by the body for growth and repair and to make up enzymes
lipid: macromolecule made mainly from carbon and hydrogen atoms; includes fats, oils, and waxes
fungi: are heterotrophic organisms characterized by a chitinous cell wall
double helix: stairlike structure of a DNA molecule
variable: any factor in an experiment that is not constant(any factor that can change)
control: A standard of comparison for checking or verifying the results of an experiment
monosaccharide: single sugar molecule
organelle: specialized structure that perfroms important cellular functions within a eukaryotic cell
biology: science that seeks to understand the living world
science: organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world
populations: groups of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area
anaphase: the third phase of mitosis, during which the chromosome pairs seperate and move toward opposite poles
temperate zone: moderate climate zone between the polar zones and the tropics
Indicator: organic compound that changes color in acids and bases
electrical charge: one of the basic properties of the elementary particles of matter giving rise to all electric and magnetic forces and interactions. The two kinds of charge are given negative and positive algebraic signs: measured in coulombs.
sediment: the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid
stage: supports the slide being used
ecological resource: the series of predictable changes that occurs in community over time
vertical zones: intertidal, nertic, open ocean
detritivore: obtain energy from plant and animal remains and other dead matter
aquatic: Oceans, estuaries, lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and ponds (aquatic environments).
decomposer: organism that breaks down and obtains energy from dead organic matter
experiment: The process of conducting such a test; experimentation.
Soap: organic salts with nonpolar, hydrocarbon ends that interact with oils and dirt and polar ends that helps them dissolve in water
biome: a group of ecosystems that have the same climate and dominant communities.
hypotonic: below strength
base: compound that produces hydroxide ions (OH+) in solution
omnivore: organism that obtains energy by eating both plants and animals
hypothesis: possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question
transpiration: loss of water from a plant through its leaves
density-independent limiting factor: limiting factor that affects all populations in similar ways, regardless of population size
biomass: the total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level
biome: group of ecosystems that have the same climate and dominant communities
producer: organism that makes its own food(autotroph) and produces organic molecules that serve as food for other animals in its ecosystem
only when the population density reaches a certain level: When do density-dependent factors become limiting?
enzyme: protein that acts as a biological catalyst
Inhibitor: substance that slows down a chemical reaction or prevents it from occurring by combining with a reactant
solvent: the substance where the solute dissolves
predator eats prey, prey gets eaten by predator: what is predation?
coniferous: term used to refer to trees that produce seed-bearing cones and have thin leaves shaped like needles
species: group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring
osmosis: diffusion of water through a selectively peremeable membrane
density-dependent limiting factor: one that depends on population size
compound: substance formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements in definite proportions
terrestrial: an inhabitant of the earth
metabolism: set of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials as it carries out its life processes
population density: number of individuals per unit of area
van der Waals forces: a slight attraction that develops between the oppositely charged regions of nearby molecules
exponential growth: occurs when the individuals in a population reproduce at a constant rate
Buffers: solution containing ions that react with added acids or bases and minimize their effects on pH
Exothermic: chemical reaction in which energy is primarily given off in the form of heat
ecological pyramid: diagram that shows the relative amounts of energy or matter within each trophic level in a food chain or food web
spontaneous generation: a disproven statment that life could arise from noliving matter
electron microscope: microscope that forms an image by focusing beams of electrons onto a specimen
biomass pyramid: diagram representing the biomass in each trophic level of an ecosystem
catalyst: substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction
biosphere: part of Earth in which life exists including land, water, and air or atmosphere
greenhouse effect: natural situation in which heat is retained in Earth's atmosphere by carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other gases
cell: collection of living matter enclosed by a barrier that separates the cell from its surroundings; basic unit of all forms of life
omnivores: obtain energy from eating plants and meat
algal bloom: an immediate increase in the amount of algae and other producers that results from a large input of a limiting nutrient
demography: scientific study of human populations
Venn Diagram: They show all of the possible mathematical or logical relationships between sets (groups of things).
base: any compound that forms OH- above 7
coarse adjustment: moves stage up and down for focusing the image
observation: use of one or more of the senses to gather information
mangrove swamp: coastal wetland dominated by mangroves, salt-tolerant woody plants
cell fractionation: technique in which cells are broken into pieces and the different cell parts are separated
wetland: ecosystem in which water either covers the soil or is present at or near the surface of the soil for at least part of the year
binary fission: type of asexual reproduction in which an organism replicates its DNA and divides in half, producing two identical daughter cells
hypertonic: above strength
heterotrophs: consumers, they rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply
Scientific method: way of thinking and conducting experiments
diaphragm: regulates the amount of light on the specimen
detritivore: organism that feeds on plant and animal remains and other dead matter
succcession: the progressive replacement of one community by another until a climax community is established.
dentrification: soil bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas
base: (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, etc) compound that produces hydroxide ions (OH+) IN SOLUTION
heterotroph: organism that obtains energy from the foods it consumes; also called a consumer
theory: hypothesis thats been proven multiple times
species: a group of organisms so similar to one another that they can breed and produce fertile offspring
humus: material formed from decaying leaves and other organic matter
carnivores: obtain energy from eating only meat
isotonic: same strenght
step 1: observe/ask a question
transpiration: water can enter and the atmosphere by evaporating from the leaves of plants
pH scale: measurement system used to indicate the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in solution; ranges from 0 to 14
chemical reaction: process that changes one set of chemicals into another set of chemicals
photosynthesis: process by which plants and some other organisms use light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and high-energy carbohydrates such as sugars and starches
replication (H): copying process by which a cell duplicates its DNA
step 4: Analyze info
manipulated variable: factor in an experiment that a scientist purposely changes; also known as independent variable
chemistry, depth, and flow: List three characteristics that determine the structure of aquatic ecosystems.
photosynthesis: the process by which plants and some other organisms use light energy to power chemical reactions that convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and high energy carbohydrates such as sugars and starches
food chain: series of steps in an ecosystem in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten
step 3: test hypothesis/collect data
tropical zone: warm climate zone that receives direct or nearly direct sunlight year round
Neutralization: chemical reaction that occurs when the H3O+ions from an acid react with the OH- ions from a base to produce water molecules
suspension: mixture of water and nondissolved materials
Why should scientists only test one variable at a time?: If you change all three variables at once, you will not be able to tell which variable is responsible for the observed results. Only one variable should be changed at a time.
estuary: wetlands formed where rivers meet the ocean
manipulated variable: factor in an experiment that a scientist purposely changes; also known as independent variable
algal bloom: an immediate increase in the amount of algae and other producers that result from a large input of a limiting nutrient
primary succession: when a disturbance occurs and there is no soil so things can barely grow
buffers: weak acids and bases that can react with stron acids of bases to prevent a dramtic change in the reading
solution: forming a type of mixture that evenly distributes the components in the solution
data: a single piece of information, as a fact, statistic, or code; an item of data
density-independent factor: human activities, natural disasters, seasonal cycles, unusual weather
polar zone: cold climate zone where the sun's rays strike Earth at a very low angle
population destiny: number of individuals per unit of an area
autotroph: organism that can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use it to produce its own food from inorganic compounds; also called a producer
commensalism: symbiotic relationship in which one member of the association benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed
sexual reproduction: process by which cells from two different parents unite to produce the first cell of a new organism
mixture: material composed of two or more elements or compounds that are physically mixed together but not chemically combined
exponential growth: What kind of growth did the human population begin to experience about 500 years ago?
Acid: contains at least one hydrogen atom that can be removed when the acid is dissolved in water, forming hydronium ions
acid: any compound that forms H+ below 7
niche: full range of physical and biological conditions in which an organsim lives and the way in which the organism uses those conditions
nucleic acid: DNA or RNA type of nucleic compound
Endothermic: chemical reaction that requires heat energy to proceed
biome: group of ecosystems that have the same climate and dominant communities
experiment: procedure that tests the hypothesis under controlled conditions.
experimental group: trail where something is changed
pH: measure of the concentration of hydronium ions in a solution using a scale ranging from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic and 14 being the most basic
predation: interaction in which one organism captures and feeds on another organism
controlled experiment: a test of the effect of a single variable by changing it while keeping all other variables the same
photosynthesis: proces by which plants and some other organisms use light enrgy to convert water and carbon dioxide into ocygen and high-energy carbohydrates such as sugars and starches
demographic transition: a dramatic change in death and birth rates
ecology: scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment
pH scale: indace how much acidic of basic something is
reactant: element or compound that enters into a chemical reaction
host: a living animal or plant from which a parasite obtains nutrition.
primary succession: succession that occurs on surfaces where no soil exists
Decomposion: chemical reaction in which one substance breaks down into two or more substances
limiting factor: factor that causes the growth of a population to decrease
biomass: the amount of living matter in a given habitat, expressed either as the weight of organisms per unit area or as the volume of organisms per unit volume of habitat.
why did the population grow slowly for most of human existence?: a lot of babies were dying
Single Displacement: chemical reaction in which one element replaces another element in a compound
carrying capacity: largest number of individuals of a population that a environment can support
exponential: ideal conditions with unlimited resources
hypothesis: possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question
quilibrium: when the particles are even throughout
climate: average, year-after-year conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular region
producers: they make their own food
ecosystem: collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their nonliving environment
polysaccharide: large macromolecule formed from monosaccharides
ion: atom that has a positive or negative charge
coral reef: diverse and productive environment named for the coral animals that make up its primary structure
solute: substance that is dissolved in a solvent to make a solution
molecule: smallest unit of most compounds
data: evidence or information
mutualism: type of symbiotic relationship in which both organsims involved benefit
parasitism: symbiotic relationship in which one organism lives in or on another organism (the host) and consequently harms it
tolerance: organism's capacity to grow or thrive when subjected to an unfavorable environmental factor
cohesion: attraction between molecules of the same substance
mutualism: species benefit from relationship, flowers and their pollinators
metric system: decimal system of measurement based on certain physical standards and scaled on multiples of 10
responding variables: condition that changes as a result from changes from the man. var.
enzyme: type of protein that catalyzes a reaction
nucleic acid: macromolecule containing hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus
phytoplankton: population of algae and other small, photosynthetic organisms found near the surface of the ocean and forming part of plankton
anything outside the natural world: what does biology not study?
immigration: movement of individuals into an area occupied by an existing population
covalent bond: bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms
communities: different populations that live together in a defined area
primary productivity: the rate at which organic matter is created by producers
zonation: prominent horizontal banding of organisms that live in a particular habitat
Synthesis: chemical reaction in which two or more substances combine to form a different substance
gene: codes for one trait
ecology: the scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment or surroundings (hint: study of the creek life)
carnivorous: flesh-eating
quantitative: evidence or info in numbers
earth is a sphere tilted on an axis: why does solar radiation strikes different parts of the earth's surface at an angle that varies through out the year?
asexual reproduction: process by which a single parent reproduces by itself
isotope: atom of an element that has a number of neutrons different from that of other atoms of the same element
food chain: pathway of food transfer from one trophic level to another
weather: condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place
parasite: an organism that lives on or in an organism of another species, known as the host, from the body of which it obtains nutriment
food web: when the feeding relationships among the various organisms in an ecosystem form a network of complex interactions
diffusion: when particles move from a more concentrated area to another to equal it out
age-structure diagram: graph of the numbers of males and females within different age groups of a population
homeostasis: process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment
secondary succession: succession following a disturbance that destroys a community without destroying the soil
difusion: process by which molecules tend to move from an area where they are more conetrated to an area where they are more concentrated to an area where they are less concentrated
adhesion: attraction between molecules of different substances
nucleotide: monomer of nucleic acids made up of a 5-carbon sugar; a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base
observation: use of one or more of the senses—sight, hearing, touch, smell, and sometimes taste—to gather information
osmosis: the diffusion of water through a seletively permeable membrane
buffer: weak acid or base that can react with strong acids or bases to help prevent sharp, sudden changes in pH
pyramid: A solid figure with a polygonal base and triangular faces that meet at a common point.
nitrogen fixation: process of converting nitrogen gas into ammonia
paratism: one organism lives on or in another and harms it
Base: a substance that forms hydroxide ions in a water solution; also accepts hydronium ions from acids
amino acid: monomer of a protein
temperate zone: between the polar zones and the tropics, hot to cold
factors that cause climate: trapping of heat by the atomophere, latitude, transport of heat by winds and ocean currents and the amount of precipitation
budding: asexual process by which yeasts increase in number; process of attaching a bud to a plant to produce a new branch
ecological succession: gradual change in living communities that follows a disturbance
polymer: large compound formed from combinations of many monomers
nutrients: the body's building blocks
understory: layer in a rain forest formed by shorter trees and vines
flowing water and standing water: What are the two main types of freshwater ecosystems?
species: the major subdivision of a genus or subgenus, regarded as the basic category of biological classification, composed of related individuals that resemble one another, are able to breed among themselves, but are not able to breed with members of another species.
chemical bond: link that holds together atoms in compounds
theory: well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations
greenhouse gases: the gases that let light and heat through the atomosphere
Catalyst: substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without permanently changed itself
digestion: take in food as a heterotroph
abiotic: non-living physical or chemical condition in an environment
Endergonic: chemical reaction; requires energy to proceed
bentho: the name of the organism that lives at the bottom of the sea
limiting factor: factor that causes the growth of a population to decrease
food web: pattern of feeding in an ecosystem consisting of interconnected and branching food chains
primary productivity: rate at which organic matter is created by producers in an ecosystem
electron: negatively charged particle; located outside the atomic nucleus
upwelling: process in which water rises toward the surface in warmer regions
ecosystem: community of living things plus the non living feautures of the environment that support them
cell: collection of living matter enclosed by a barrier that sperates the cell from its surroundings; basic unit of all forms of life
exponential growth: growth pattern in which the individuals in a population reproduce at a constant rate
leucine: an amino acid
trophic level: feeding level in an ecosystem
independent variable: those that are deliberately manipulated to invoke a change in the dependent variables
translation (H): transfers RNA
biotic factors: the factors that shape organisms (opposite of abiotic factors)
qualitative: evidence or info in descriptions
nitrogen fixation: process of converting nitrogen gas into ammonia
inference: logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience
carbohydrate: organic compound made of sugar molecules
activation energy: energy needed to get a reaction started
amino acid: compound with an amino group (−NH2) on one end and a carboxyl group (−COOH) on the other end
abiotic factor: physical, or nonliving, factor that shapes an ecosystem
chemosynthesis: process by which some organisms, such as certain bacteria, use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates
community: assemblage of different populations that live together in a defined area
low power objective: 4x
insecticide: a substance or preparation used for killing insects
canopy: dense covering formed by the leafy tops of tall rain forest trees
plankton: tiny, free-floating organisms that occur in aquatic environments
petri dish: is a shallow glass or plastic cylindrical dish that biologists use to culture cells
biogeochemical cycle: process in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from one part of the biosphere to another
herbivores: obtain energy from eating only plants
product: element or compound produced by a chemical reaction
Exergonic: chemical reaction that releases some form of energy, such as light or heat
tropical zone: the zone near the equator, hot and humid
density-dependent limiting factor: limiting factor that depends on population size
nosepiece: holds the high medium and low power objectives and it can be rotated to a different magnification
cell culture: group of cells grown in a nutrient solution from a single original cell
data: evidence; information gathered from observations
when the population growth slows or stops: when does logistic growth occur?
mutualism: symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit from the relationship
carbohydrate: compound made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms; major source of energy for the human body
Salt: compound formed when the negative ions from an acid combine with the positive ions form a base, can also be formed when acids react with metals
ecological succession: any neccessity of life, water, nutrients, light, food or space
trophic level: step in a food chain or food web
permafrost: layer of permanently frozen subsoil in the tundra
Double Displacement: chemical reaction that produces a precipaitate, wator, or a gas when two ionic compounds in solution are combined
population: group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area
acid: compound that forms hydrogen ions (H+) in solution
consumer: organism that relies on other organisms for its energy and food supply; also called a heterotroph
producer: organism that can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use it to produce food from inorganic compounds; also called an autotroph
histidine: an amino acid
adhesion: attraction between molecules of different substances; in plants, attraction between unlike molecules
logistic: exponential growth does not continue forever, though; as resources are used up, the population growth slow or stops
autotrophs: use energy from their environments to fuel the assembly of simple inorganic compounds into complex organic molecules
biosphere: all the parts of the planet that are inhabited by living things; sum of all earth's ecosystems
nutrient: chemical substance that an organism requires to live
weather is day to day, climate is the yearly average: the difference between weather and climate
deciduous: term used to refer to a tree that sheds its leaves during a particular season each year
demography: scientific study of human populations
resource: any necessity of life, such as water, nutrients, light, food, or space
limiting nutrient: single nutrient that either is scarce or cycles very slowly, limiting the growth of organisms in an ecosystem
biomass: total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level
microclimate: climate within a small area that differs significantly from the climate of the surrounding area
responding variable: factor in an experiment that a scientist wants to observe, which may change in response to the manipulated variable; also known as a dependent variable
mixture: material composed of two or more elements or compounds that are physically mixed together
phosphate: a 5-carbon sugar
winds and ocean currents: the moon because of unequal heating of earths's surface
eukaryote: organism whose cells contain nuclei
denitrification: conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas
emigration: movement of individuals out of an area
polar zone: areas around north and south poles, cold
predator: An organism that lives by preying on other organisms
medium power objective: 10x
atom: basic unit of matter
carrying capacity: largest number of individuals of a population that a given environment can support
abiotic factors: nonliving or physical factors that shape an ecosystem
fine adjustment: moves the stage slightly to sharpen the image
omnivore: consumer that eats both producers and consu,ers
acid: compound that donates H+ ions to an aqueous solution and measures less than 7 on the pH scale
decomposition: Breakdown or decay of organic materials.
microscope: device that produces magnified images of structures that are too small to see with the unaided eye
What are the eight characteristics of living things?: living this are made up of units called cells, living things reproduce, living things are based on a universal genetic code, living things grow and develop, living things obtain and use materials and energy, living things respond to their environment, taken as a group living things change over time, living things maintain a stable internal environment
bacteria: domain of prokaryotic organisms that are biochemically and genetically distinct from archaea
ecological pyramid: a diagram that shows the relative amounts of energy or matter contained within each trophic types of ecological pyramids: energy pyramids, biomass pyramids, and pyramids of numbers
solute: the substance that dissolves
mitochondrion: cell organelle that converts the chemical energy stored in food into compounds that are more convenient for the cell to use
solvent: substance in which a solute is dissolved to form a solution

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