B7 - Definitions Flashcards
Bacteriophage
A type of virus that infects bacteria
Bioaccumulation
Build up of chemicals in organisms as the chemicals travel through the food chain
Biodegradable
Substances that can be broken down by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi
Biodiversity
The variety of living things, both within a species and between different species
Biofuels
Fuel made from crops such as rape seed
Capillary bed
Large numbers of narrow blood vessels that pass through each organ int he body. Capillaries receive blood from arteries and return it to veins. Capillary walls are only one cell thick
Carbon sink
A system taking carbon dioxide from the air and storing it, for example a growing forest
Closed-loop systems
A system with no waste; everything is recycled
DNA fingerprinting
Uses gene probes to identify particular sequences of DNA bases in a person’s genetic make-up.
DNA profiling
Produced in the same way as a DNA fingerprint, but fewer gene probes are used. It is used in forensic science to test samples of DNA left at crime scenes
Linear system
A system based on the take-make-dump model
Non-biodegradable
Waste materials that microorganisms cannot break down
Sustainability
Using resources and the environment to meet the needs of people today without damaging the Earth or reducing resources for people in the future
