ch.4 key terms Flashcards
ecosystem
a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
biotic factor
any living component that affects another organism or shapes the ecosystem.
Abiotic factor
is a nonliving condition or thing, as climate or habitat, that influences or affects an ecosystem and the organisms in it.
organism
an individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form.
species
is a group of organisms that share a genetic heritage, are able to interbreed, and to create offspring that are also fertile.
population
all the organisms of the same group or species who live in a particular geographical area and are capable of interbreeding.
community
is an interacting group of various species in a common location.
habitat
the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.
Natural selection
is the differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in phenotype.
evolution
change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.
adaptation
An adaptation is any heritable trait that helps an organism, such as a plant or animal, survive and reproduce in its environment.
Artificial selection
is the identification by humans of desirable traits in plants and animals, and the steps taken to enhance and perpetuate those traits in future generations.
resistance
the ability not to be affected by something, especially adversely.
archaea
is a group of single-celled prokaryotic organisms (that is, organisms whose cells lack a defined nucleus) that have distinct molecular characteristics separating them from bacteria.
bacteria
a member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms which have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease.
fungus
any of a group of spore-producing organisms feeding on organic matter, including molds, yeast, mushrooms, and toadstools.
protist
eukaryotic organism that is not an animal, plant, or fungus.
gymnosperm
a group of seed-bearing plants whose ovules are not enclosed in an ovary, but are exposed on the surface of sporophylls or similar structures.
angiosperm
a plant having its seeds enclosed in an ovary; a flowering plant.
invertebrate
animals that neither possess nor develop a vertebral column, derived from the notochord.
vertebrate
an animal of a large group distinguished by the possession of a backbone or spinal column, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.
