Glossary - Chapter 2 Flashcards
Teratology
The study of the causes of birth defects
Biomimetics
The study of living organisms so the knowledge gained can be applied to engineering or technological developments
Indigenous Species
Species that are native to the area
Gene Pool
The total variety of different genes in all the members of a population
Vavilov Centre
An area if the world, identified by Russian zoologist Nikolai Vavilov, where crop plants were first domesticated and where wild varieties are still found
CITIES
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
Niche
The role an organism plays in its species
Endemic
A species that is indigenous to a particular area and is not naturally found elsewhere
Wildlife and Countryside Act
A UK of Parliament that provides protection for many wildlife species and designated protected areas
SSSIs
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
NNRs
National Nature Reserves
SPAs
Special Protection Areas
SACs
Special Areas of Conservation
MNRs
Marine Nature Reserves
Ramsar Site
A wetland site designated to protect its biodiversity
International Whaling Commission (IWC)
The IWC is an international organisation that aims to ensure the sustainable exploitation of whales
EU Common Fisheries Policy
The EU agreement to manage fishing and aquaculture. It attempts to balance the needs of the Member States and their fishing industries with sustainable exploitation if the environment
Inbreeding
Describes breeding between closely related individuals. It increases the risk of recessive genes producing offspring with disadvantageous characteristics
Cryopreservation
The preservation of material by freezing, such as the freezing of semen for artificial insemination
Artificial Insemination
A form of selective breeding where semen is collected from a chosen male and is inserted artificially into a chosen female to cause her to become pregnant
Embryo Transfer
The transfer if fertilised eggs or embryos from a female of a rare species, into females of closely related more common species. This enables more young to be produced than could be achieved through normal breeding.
Micro-propagation
A tissue culture method where large numbers of plants can be produced from a tissue sample from an original plant, without the need for seeds.
RSPB
Royal Society of the Protection of Birds
Environmental Stewardship Scheme (ESS)
An agri-environmental scheme where farmers receive payments for farm management practices that benefit the wildlife and the environment
