Chapter 4 key terms Flashcards
ecosystem
a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
biotic factor
A biotic factor is any living thing that has an effect on an ecosystem.
abiotic factor
An abiotic factor is a non-living part of an ecosystem that shapes its environment.
organism
an individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form.
species
a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
population
all the inhabitants of a particular town, area, or country.
community
a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
habitat
the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.
natural selection
the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
evolution
the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth.
adaptation
the action or process of adapting or being adapted.
artificial selection
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 refusal to accept or comply with something; the attempt to prevent something by action or argument.
archaea
microorganisms that are similar to bacteria in size and simplicity of structure but radically different in molecular organization.
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
a single-celled organism of the kingdom Protista, such as a protozoan or simple alga.
gymnosperm
a plant that has seeds unprotected by an ovary or fruit.
angiosperm
a plant that has flowers and produces seeds enclosed within a carpel.
invertebrate
an animal lacking a backbone, such as an arthropod, mollusk, annelid, coelenterate, etc.
vertebrate
an animal of a large group distinguished by the possession of a backbone or spinal column, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.
