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Ecology Vocabulary Flashcards

1
Q

abiotic factor

A

definition: a nonliving part of an ecosystem
context: Water is an abiotic factor in an ecosystem.

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2
Q

adapt

A

definition: to change because of a certain situation in the environment
context: Dinosaurs were not able to adapt to changes in their environment.

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3
Q

adaptation

A

definition: a characteristic that enables a living thing to survive in its environment
context: Chameleons change color; this is a protective adaptation.

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4
Q

biosphere

A

definition: the part of the earth that supports life
context: The biosphere extends up into the atmosphere and deep down to the ocean floor.

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5
Q

biotic factor

A

definition: a living part of the ecosystem
context: Animals that fill the niche of predator and prey are examples of biotic factors that affect an ecosystem.

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6
Q

camouflage

A

definition: an adaptation in which an animal protects itself against predators by blending in with the environment
context: Camouflage helps some caterpillars look like twigs.

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7
Q

climax community

A

definition: the final stage of succession in an area
context: The forest was considered a climax community because it had reached the final stage of succession.

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8
Q

commensalism

A

definition: a relationship between two kinds of organisms that benefits one without harming the other
context: The relationship between a Monarch butterfly and a milkweed is an example of commensalism.

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9
Q

community

A

definition: the living things in an ecosystem
context: The various populations of living things in an ecosystem form a community.

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10
Q

diversity

A

definition: a wide variety of traits in individuals from the same population
context: When members of a species have differences, this is called diversity.

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11
Q

ecological succession

A

definition: the gradual replacement of one community by another
context: The ecological succession of the grassland to a deciduous forest took hundreds of years.

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12
Q

ecology

A

definition: the study of how living and nonliving things interact
context: The students studied the ecology of the river.

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13
Q

ecosystem

A

definition: the interaction of all the living and nonliving things in an environment
context: The forest ecosystem was damaged by the fire.

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14
Q

energy pyramid

A

definition: a diagram of the loss of useful energy at each level in the food chain
context: Using the energy pyramid, the student studied the loss of energy in the food chain.

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15
Q

limiting factor

A

definition: a part of the environment that controls the growth or survival of a population
context: When a population becomes too large, food becomes a limiting factor.

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16
Q

mimicry

A

definition: an adaptation in which an animal is protected against predators by its resemblance to another, unpleasant animal
context: The resemblance of the Viceroy butterfly to the Monarch butterfly is an example of mimicry.

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17
Q

mutualism

A

definition: a relationship between two kinds of organisms that benefits both
context: Flowers and their pollinators are a common form of mutualism.

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18
Q

organism

A

definition: a living thing
context: Many organisms live together in a community.

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19
Q

parasitism

A

definition: a relationship in which one organism lives in or on another organism and benefits from that relationship while the other organism may be harmed by it
context: A tick attached to a dog is an example of parasitism.

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20
Q

pioneer community

A

definition: the first organisms to live in a once lifeless area
context: In a newly formed volcanic island, the pioneer community is made up of bacteria, fungi, and algae.

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21
Q

pioneer species

A

definition: the first species living in an otherwise lifeless area
context: Mosses and lichens are pioneer species.

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22
Q

population

A

definition: the members of one species in an area
context: The deer living in a pine forest are members of a population.

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23
Q

symbiosis

A

definition: a relationship between two kinds of organisms that lasts over time
context: The Nile crocodile opening its mouth to permit the Egyptian plover to feed on any leeches attached to its gums is an example of symbiosis.

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24
Q

aquifer

A

definition: an underground body of water
context: Sixty-five percent of the water used to grow crops comes from underground aquifers.

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25
chemical weathering
definition: the wearing away of rock by oxidation or dissolving by acid context: Chemical weathering in caves causes stalactites and stalagmites.
26
crystal
definition: solids composed of atoms arranged in an orderly pattern context: Minerals possess one of six crystal shapes.
27
earthquake
definition: the movement of the earth’s surface caused by waves of energy released as rocks move along faults in the crust context: An earthquake can cause buildings to collapse.
28
epicenter
definition: the spot on the earth’s surface that is above the focus of an earthquake context: The earthquake is strongest at its epicenter directly above the focus where the earthquake occurred.
29
erosion
definition: the wearing away of the earth’s surface by wind, water, ice, or gravity context: Planting trees and grasses slows erosion.
30
fault
definition: a crack in the earth’s crust where rocks rub against each other, releasing energy waves during an earthquake context: Earthquakes occur around a fault.
31
fold
definition: a bend in a layer of rock caused by stress deep in the earth context: When rocks are under stress, they may fracture, fault, or fold.
32
fossil
definition: the remains of ancient, once-living organisms preserved in rock context: Fossils contain clues to the past.
33
fracture
definition: the tendency of a mineral or rock to break in a certain shape context: Some minerals fracture with rough or jagged edges.
34
freshwater
definition: the water that is not salt water context: Three percent of earth’s water is freshwater.
35
groundwater
definition: the water beneath the surface of the earth between saturated soil and rock that supplies wells or springs context: Groundwater spread around the planet represents less than one percent of Earth’s total water supply.
36
igneous rock
definition: the rocks formed by the crystallization of magma context: Igneous rocks, like obsidian, form when magma cools.
37
mechanical weathering
definition: the physical forces that break rock context: Mechanical weathering can be seen when expanding ice breaks a rock into smaller pieces.
38
metamorphic rock
definition: the rocks formed when sedimentary or igneous rocks undergo a change due to pressure or heat in the earth context: Metamorphic rocks are found deep in the earth.
39
mineral
definition: a solid, inorganic crystalline substance with a definite chemical composition context: All minerals share five characteristics.
40
Mohs’ scale
definition: a list of minerals of varying hardness context: The hardness of the mineral topaz can be measured using the Mohs’ scale.
41
Pangaea
definition: the name of the landmass believed to have broken up into today’s continents context: Scientists think that the continents were once joined together in one supercontinent, Pangaea.
42
Richter scale
definition: a scale used to describe how much energy is released by an earthquake context: In 1923, an earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale occurred in Tokyo, Japan.
43
rock cycle
definition: an explanation of how rocks change in a continuous cycle from igneous, to sedimentary, to metamorphic context: A diagram is used to explain the rock cycle.
44
sedimentary rock
definition: the rocks formed from sediments (sand, clay, and other materials that settle in water) context: Sandstone is an example of a sedimentary rock.
45
seismograph
definition: an instrument that records earthquake waves context: Seismologists use seismographs to determine an earthquake’s magnitude.
46
soil
definition: a mixture of crushed rock and pieces of organic material from plants and animals context: Fertile soil helps plants grow.
47
tectonic plates
definition: the pieces that compose the surface of the earth context: The crust has fractured into seven major tectonic plates that sometimes collide and grind past each other.
48
tsunami
definition: a large ocean wave, reaching up to 30 meters, caused by an underwater earthquake or landslide context: The United States developed the Tsunami Warning System in 1948.
49
volcano
definition: a place in the earth’s surface where hot magma is forced up, forming a mountain that erupts and builds upward context: Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is an active volcano.
50
abyssal plain
definition: a flat part of the ocean floor context: The abyssal plain is the flat part of the ocean floor.
51
Aqua-Lung
definition: an air tank worn by a diver context: The Aqua-Lung allowed the diver to explore the coral reef.
52
breaker
definition: a wave in which the crest has tumbled forward context: The breaker tumbled toward the shore.
53
continental shelf
definition: the part of the ocean bottom near land context: The continental shelf is the shallowest part of the ocean.
54
continental slope
definition: the part of the ocean bottom where the continental shelf plunges downward sharply context: The continental slope plunges to the ocean floor.
55
coral reef
definition: a large underwater formation created from the skeletons of colonies of tiny coral animals context: Coral reefs shelter the land from harsh ocean storms and floods, provide resources for fisheries, and attract millions of tourists every year.
56
currents
definition: the movement of water in a certain direction context: Underwater currents of the ocean are caused by the sun heating the ocean water.
57
desalination
definition: the removal of salt from ocean water context: Key West, Florida, has a desalination plant to help provide the area with fresh water.
58
echo sounder
definition: a device that uses sonar (sound waves) to measure the depth of surface water bodies context: Scientists used an echo sounder to map the ocean floor.
59
marine
definition: relating to the ocean context: A marine biologist is interested in ocean food chains.
60
mid-ocean ridge
definition: a mountain chain on the ocean floor context: A mid-ocean ridge runs through every ocean on the earth.
61
ocean
definition: the salt water covering approximately 75 percent of the earth’s surface context: Shorelines are constantly changing because of the ocean’s waves, tides, and currents.
62
ocean floor
definition: the part of the ocean that lies at the bottom of the continental slope context: Undiscovered life forms live on the ocean floor.
63
plankton
definition: the tiny plants and animals living on the ocean surface that can not be seen with the naked eye context: Some whales eat plankton.
64
prevailing winds
definition: the winds that blow mostly from one direction context: Prevailing winds effect the surface currents of the oceans.
65
saline
definition: a saltwater solution context: Anyone who has accidentally swallowed ocean water knows that it is salty, or saline.
66
sand
definition: rock and mineral particles smaller than 2 mm in diameter context: Ocean shorelines are made of sand.
67
sand dune
definition: a hill of sand built up by wind context: Some of the world’s largest sand dunes are located along the Oregon coast.
68
shoreline
definition: the land along the edge of the ocean water context: Canada’s shoreline is the longest in the world because the country borders the ocean for thousands of miles.
69
sonar
definition: a method of detecting objects using sound waves context: With the invention of sonar equipment, the deepest areas of the ocean have been mapped.
70
submarine canyon
definition: a groove cut in the continental shelf and slope context: A submarine canyon is formed when sediment slides down the continental shelf and slope, making a deep groove.
71
tide
definition: the rise and fall of ocean water context: The ocean tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon on the earth.
72
trade winds
definition: the winds that blow from east to west toward the equator context: Ships heading west try to sail in the area where the trade winds blow.
73
trench
definition: a deep ocean valley context: A trench is one of the deepest places in the ocean.
74
tsunami
definition: a large ocean wave, reaching up to 30 meters, caused by an underwater earthquake or landslide context: The tsunami wiped out several villages along the coast.
75
wave
definition: the rise and fall movement of ocean water context: Forces such as the wind, earthquakes, and ships traveling on the ocean can cause a wave.
76
westerlies
definition: the winds that blow from west to east away from the equator context: In the United States, storms move from west to east because of the westerlies.
77
air mass
definition: a large region of the atmosphere where the air has similar temperature and humidity throughout context: Weather is affected by six major air masses.
78
air pressure
definition: the weight of air context: Air pressure is also known as atmospheric pressure.
79
atmosphere
definition: the blanket of gases that surrounds Earth context: The sun and its interaction with earth’s atmosphere is the driving force for our weather.
80
climate
definition: the average weather pattern of a region context: Polar, temperate, and tropical are the earth’s three climate zones.
81
convection current
definition: a current’s movement in fluids caused by heat context: Convection currents carry heat energy in churning cells of moving air.
82
Coriolis effect
definition: the deflection of winds caused by the rotation of the earth on its axis context: The Coriolis effect, along with the flow of air caused by differences in heating, causes distinct wind patterns.
83
dew point
definition: the temperature at which the moisture in the air begins or would begin to condense context: Warm air can hold more water, so the humidity must be higher during warm weather to reach the dew point.
84
El Niño
definition: a change in climate that occurs when trade winds weaken west of Peru and whose effects can be felt worldwide context: During El Niño, water temperature rises, increasing the chances of stormy weather.
85
forecast
definition: a prediction about future weather based on meteorological observations context: Weather satellites help meteorologists forecast weather.
86
front
definition: a boundary between air masses with different temperatures context: A front is where active weather occurs.
87
global warming
definition: the rise in the earth’s temperatures due to an increased greenhouse effect context: An increase in greenhouse gases is one reason for global warming.
88
greenhouse effect
definition: the natural heating caused by atmospheric gases trapping heat at the earth’s surface context: Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be cold and lifeless.
89
humidity
definition: the moisture in the air context: Meteorologists read relative humidity with a psychrometer.
90
hurricane
definition: a tropical cyclone with wind speeds of at least 74 mph or more context: Hurricanes are powerful storms formed over warm water.
91
hydrologic cycle
definition: the exchange of water between land, bodies of water, and the atmosphere; also known as the water cycle context: Hydrologic cycle is another name for water cycle.
92
insolation
definition: the radiant energy from the sun received by the earth context: Insolation is affected by the angle at which the sun’s rays strike the earth.
93
jet stream
definition: the narrow wind belts found near the top of the troposphere context: Jet streams have a major effect on our weather.
94
latent heat
definition: the energy stored when evaporation turns a liquid into a gas context: During condensation, latent heat is released.
95
meteorology
definition: the study of weather context: Meteorology deals with understanding the forces and causes of weather.
96
radiation
definition: the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves context: The sun’s radiation causes water to change into water vapor.
97
relative humidity
definition: the amount of moisture in a given amount of air relative to what could be contained if the given amount of air were completely saturated context: It it important to know the relative humidity when watching for precipitation.
98
saturated
definition: the point where no more liquid can be absorbed, dissolved, or retained context: Air saturated with water vapor has a relative humidity of 100 percent.
99
thunderstorm
definition: a weather condition where lightning and thunder are present context: Thunderstorms form inside warm, moist air masses and at fronts.
100
tornado
definition: a violent, whirling wind that moves across the ground in a narrow path context: A tornado forms in low cumulonimbus clouds.
101
weather
definition: the conditions of the lower atmosphere from day to day at any given place and time context: Because it holds a layer of gases, or atmosphere, close around itself, Earth experiences weather.

SAM Flashcards (5 decks)

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