ch 3 vocab google def

Question 1

the region of the earth that encompasses all living organisms: plants, animals and bacteria

Answer 1

biosphere

Question 2

the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment

Answer 2

ecology

Question 3

a group of organisms that can reproduce with one another in nature and produce fertile offspring.

Answer 3

species

Question 4

all the organisms of the same group or species that live in a specific area and are capable of breeding among themselves

Answer 4

population

Question 5

an interacting group of various species in a shared/ common location

Answer 5

community

Question 6

a community of living organisms (plants, animals and microbes) in a particular area

Answer 6

ecosystem

Question 7

the living components (organisms) that shape up the environment

Answer 7

biotic factor

Question 8

a non-living part of an ecosystem that shapes its environment

Answer 8

abiotic factor

Question 9

a mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth

Answer 9

atmosphere

Question 10

the total amount of water on a planet.

Answer 10

hydrosphere

Question 11

includes the rocks and minerals on Earth

Answer 11

geosphere

Question 12

the long-term pattern of weather in a particular area

Answer 12

climate

Question 13

the state of the air and atmosphere at a particular time and place

Answer 13

weather

Question 14

a process that occurs when gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap the Sun’s heat

Answer 14

greenhouse effect

Question 15

an area classified according to the species that live in that location

Answer 15

biome

Question 16

the layer formed by the branches and crowns of plants or trees

Answer 16

canopy

Question 17

the underlying layer of vegetation in a forest or wooded area, especially the trees and shrubs growing between the forest canopy and the forest floor

Answer 17

understory

Question 18

dark, organic material that forms in soil when plant and animal matter decays

Answer 18

humus

Question 19

evergreen forest in cool, northern latitudes.

Answer 19

taiga

Question 20

any ground that remains completely frozen—32°F (0°C) or colder—for at least two years straight.

Answer 20

permafrost

Question 21

the uppermost layer of a body of water that receives sunlight, allowing phytoplankton to perform photosynthesis

Answer 21

photic zone

Question 22

The zone where no sunlight penetrates and photosynthesis cannot occur.

Answer 22

aphotic zone

Question 23

the floating or weakly swimming animal and plant life of a body of water

Answer 23

plankton

Question 24

areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season

Answer 24

wetland

Question 25

a partially enclosed, coastal water body where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with salt water from the ocean

Answer 25

estuary