Science 10 Vocab Master List Flashcards
Biomagnification
The process in which chemicals not only accumulate but become more concentrated at each trophic level of the food pyramid
Key stone species
Species (salmon) that can greatly affect population numbers and the health of an ecosystem
Heavy metals
Metallic element with a high density that are toxic to organisms at low concentration
Bioaccumulation
The gradual build up of synthetic and organic chemicals chemicals in living organisms
Ecological succession
Changes that take place over time in types of organisms that live in a area.
Pioneer species
The first organisms to populate, or repopulate an area after a disturbance in the ecosystem
Ex. Lichen, moss, bacteria, or algae
Primary succession
The development of new life in areas where no organisms or soil previously existed. The first organism are usually lichen and bacteria delivered by bird poop!
Secondary succession
The REINTRODUCTION of life after a disturbance to an area that already has soil and was once the home of living organisms.
Climate community
A mature community /ecosystem/biome such as boreal or grass lands that change slowly though constant over time
Natural selection
The process by which, over time the best adapted members of a species survive and reproduce. This process makes gradual change in species possible.
Adaptive radiation
The development of a number of new species from a common ancestor. The new species are adapted to inhabit different niches.
Flooding
Soil erosion, pollution, disease from toxic bacteria or untreated sewage.
Drought
Plants and animals die due to lack of water
Tsunamis
Huge rapidly moving ocean waves destroys habitats and salt water is carried onto the shore which change soil chemistry
Hurricane
Destroys large plants and disrupt animal habitats
Forest fire
Destroy vegetation and habitats returns nutrients to the soil
Volcanoes
Ash clouds can affect sun light and destroy all organic matter it comes in contact with. Toxic ash can affect ecosystem.
Insect infestation
Often results in succession in forest because insects destroy older trees.
Invasive species
Introduced or foreign species that are natural to an ecosystem. They often dont have predators
Compotion
Invasive species can often reproduce rapidly often aggressive lack natural predators
Predation
If you introduce a new predator, prey species do not have the adaptations to defend against it
Disease and parasites
Parasites or diseases causing viruses and bacteria can weaken immune system of native plants and animals
Habitat alteration
Introduced invasive species can make a natural habitat unsuitable for native species by changing his structure or composition
Traditional ecological knowledge
Ecological information passed down from generation to generation that reflects human experiences with native gained over centuries
Proton
Subatmoic particals that have a 1+ positive charge
Neutrons
Subatomic particles that do not have a electric charge
Electrons
Subatomic particles that have a 1- electric charge
Period
Each row of elements in the periodic table
Ions
Electrically charged particles created when atoms gain or lose electrons
Bohrs diagram
A diagram that shows the arrangement of an elements subatomic particles and the number of electrons in each shell surrounding the nucleus of an atom
Stable octet
The arrangement of eight electrons in the outermost shell of an atom
Niche
The special role an organism plays in an ecosystem, including the way in which contributes to and fits into its environment
Mimicry
When an organism copies another in attempts to gain benefits
Soil compaction
The squeezing together of soil particles so that the air spaces between them are reduced
Biomass
The total mass of living plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria in a given area
Carbon cycle
The nutrient cycle in which carbon is moved throuh the biosphere
Carbonate
A combination ion of carbon and oxygen that is dissolved in ocean water
Cellular respiration
The process in which both plants and animals released carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere
Soil degradation
The damage to soil. For example it is the result of deforestation when topsoil is removed
Contamination
The introduction of chemicals, toxins, wastes, or micro organism into the environment that are harmful to the ecosystem
Biodegration
The breaking down of dead organisms by living organisms such as bacteria
Consumer
An organism that eats other organisms
Decomposer
Organisms that break down waste and dead organisms
Land use
The way humans use land (agriculture industry, mining, forestry, urbanization)
Resources
The way we use natural resources
Exploitation
The way we extract natural resources and use them to our advantage
Overexploitation
The use or extraction of resources until it is used up completely or used in a very damaging way
Sustainability
The ability of an ecosystem to sustain ecological process and mountain biodiversity overtime. It means using natural resources in a way that maintains an ecosystem health now and for future generations.
Habitat loss
When habitats gets destroyed by human activity
Exmp. Building cities or big farms
Soil compaction
The squeezing together of soil particles so that the air spaces between them are reduced
Overexploitation
The use or extraction of a resource until it is depleted
Decomposition
Breaking down organic wastes and dead organism
Detrivores
Consumers that feed at every tropic level. Obtaining their energy of off dead organic matter
Energy flow
The flow of energy from an ecosystem to an organism and from one organism to another.
Food chain
A model that shows the flow of energy from plant to animal and from animal to animal
Food pyramid
A model that that shows the loss of energy from one tropic level to another.
Food web
A model of the feeling relationship within an ecosystem
Omnivores
Consumer that eat both plants and animals
Primary consumer
Organism in the second tropic level examples are grasshoppers zooplankton.
Habitat fragmentation
The division of habitat into small isolated pieces
