B4.1 SL / HL 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
Embryo dune
a small, young sand dune that forms at the base of a dune system and is the first stage in a dune’s life cycle
Primary dune
a sand dune that is made up of sand that was blown directly from the beach face
Secondary dune
a dune that is formed by the modification of a primary dune or by sand being moved inland from the primary dune
Tropical rainforests
dense, hot, and humid forests with a lot of rainfall that are found near the equator
Coral reefs
underwater ecosystems made up of tiny animals called coral polyps that live in colonies and form complex structures
symbiotic relationship
a close, long-term biological interaction between two or more different species that usually benefits at least one of the organisms involved
coral polyps
iny marine animals that are the basic unit of the coral animal
zooxanthellae
single-celled algae that live in a symbiotic relationship with other organisms, such as corals, jellyfish, and anemones
calcium carbonate
a calcium salt and inorganic compound with many biological and medical uses
Mass coral bleaching
a phenomenon that occurs when large numbers of coral reefs experience bleaching at the same time. Coral bleaching is a stress response that happens when corals lose their symbiotic algae and photosynthetic pigments, causing them to turn white or pale in color.
ocean acidification
the process by which the ocean’s pH decreases over time, primarily due to the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere
Biomes
a large geographical area with a distinct climate, vegetation, and animal life.Biomes are made up of multiple ecosystems and habitats, and can span more than one continent
Tundra
a cold, harsh, and treeless biome that covers about 10% of the Earth’s surface
Desert
a large, dry area of land with sparse vegetation and a community of plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh environment
Grassland
a large area of land where the vegetation is mostly made up of grasses, sedges, and rushes
Taiga (Boreal forest)
a forest that grows in high latitudes with long, cold winters and short, warm summers
Deciduous forest
a forest where the trees lose their leaves every year, and then grow new ones in the spring
Temperate rainforest
a forest that grows in a temperate climate with high rainfall and humidity, and is influenced by the sea
Tropical rainforest
dense, warm, and wet forests that are found near the equator and are known for their incredible biodiversity
Convergent evolution
a biological process that occurs when unrelated species evolve similar traits or behaviors to adapt to similar needs or environments
Saguaro cactus
a large, tree-like cactus that is the largest in the United States
Xerophyte
a plant that has adapted to survive in environments with little water, such as deserts, saline soils, or acid bogs
CAM system
CAM stands for Crassulacean Acid Metabolism, a specialized type of photosynthesis that helps plants adapt to hot, dry climates
Fennec fox
small canids that live in the deserts of North Africa and the Arabian and Sinai peninsulas
Vascular
made up of the vessels that carry blood and lymph fluid through the body
Kapok tree
a tropical, deciduous tree that is known for its fiber-producing fruit and many other uses
Buttress roots
large, wide roots that grow from the base of a tree to provide mechanical support and stability
Poison-dart frogs
small, brightly colored amphibians with toxic skin that live in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America
Aposematic coloration
a type of coloration that helps organisms warn predators that they are dangerous or inedible
