B4.1: Adaptation to the Environment Flashcards
Habitat
the natural environment where an organism lives, including all the living and nonliving factors in the area
Terrestrial
relating to land or the planet Earth
Aquatic
relating to water, or living in, near, or taking place in water
Adaptation
a characteristic or feature that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment
Sand dunes
mounds of sand that are formed by wind and waves and are a vital habitat for many plants and animals
Osmosis
the process by which water molecules move through a semipermeable membrane from a region of higher water concentration to a region of lower water concentration
Lyme grass
pecies ofgrassin the family Poaceae, native to the coasts of Atlantic and Northern Europe
sclerenchyma
a type of plant tissue that provides strength and support to the plant
Rhizome
a modified underground stem of a plant that can grow horizontally and produce roots and shoots
fructans
a type of carbohydrate or sugar that are made up of fructose units and a glucose residue at the end
Estuaries
a partially enclosed body of water where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with salt water from the ocean
Red Mangrove
evergreen trees that are native to tropical and subtropical coastal regions around the world.They are known for their prop roots, which help support the tree and give it a spider-like appearance.
propagule
a structure that helps an organism propagate itself to the next stage in its life cycle
abiotic factors
the non-living parts of an ecosystem that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems
niches
the role an organism plays in an ecosystem, including the physical and environmental conditions it needs, and how it interacts with other species
Range of tolerance
the range of environmental conditions that a species can survive in
Optimal range
the range of conditions where an organism or biological system can function at its maximum level
Zones of stress
the regions around the optimal zone where organisms can survive but with reduced reproductive success
Marram Grass
a spiky, coarse, grey-green grass that grows in sand dunes and is well-adapted to the harsh coastal environment