ch 1 Flashcards
adaptation
any alteration in the structure or function of an organism or any of its parts that results from natural selection and by which the organism becomes better fitted to survive and multiply in its environment.
asexual reproduction
offspring arise from a single organism, and inherit the genes of that parent only
atoms
the basic units of matter and the defining structure of elements
biosphere
he regions of the surface, atmosphere, and hydrosphere of the earth, occupied by living organisms.
cell
is the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known living organisms
community
an interacting group of various species in a common location.
consumers
organisms of an ecological food chain which receive energy by consuming other organisms. These organisms are formally referred to as heterotrophs, which include animals, bacteria and fungi
decomposers
organism that consumes water and dead organic matter, returning inorganic nutrients to the ecosystem
domains
broadest (most inclusive) taxonomic category
ecosystems
a community and its nonliving environment
emergent properties
quality that results from interactions of a systems components
evolution
descent with modification; change in allele frequencies in a population over time
genus
taxonomic category that groups closely related species
homeostasis
the ability of a organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment
hypothesis
a testable, tentative explanation based on prior knowledge
