Ecosystems Flashcards
Define each of the words in the deck.
Adaptation
Any alteration or change in the structure or behavior of a species that helps it survive.
Biodiversity
The number and variety of different organisms living in the same ecosystem.
Characteristic
A distinguishing quality or attribute of an organism.
Classify
To arrange or organize things into specific categories based on their similarities.
Diversity
The amount of variety or difference within a species.
Evolution
A change in a species over a long period of time.
Function
The purpose for which an organism was designed.
Generation
All of the offspring that are at the same stage of descent from a common ancestor.
Mutation
A change in the structure of the genes or chromosomes of an organism.
Organism
A living thing.
Theory
A set of principals devised to explain a phenomenon.
Offspring
The children of a parent organism.
Fatal
Causing or capable of causing death.
Mature
When an organism is complete in its natural growth or development.
Replicate
To repeat or duplicate something.
Depletion
To seriously decrease the abundance of something.
Sedentary
When an organism stays in one place and does not migrate.
Salinity
The amount of salt in a solution.
Trophic Level
A level at which an organism is placed based on what it eats or uses for energy.
Aquatic
Pertaining to water.
Bioluminescence
The production of light by living organisms.
Sediment
Material such as sand and silt that is transported by water, ice, or wind and settles in a certain area.
Precipitation
A form of water such as liquid, ice, or snow that falls from the sky.
Decomposer
An organism that breaks down dead organic material and uses it for energy.
