Unit 1 - Ecology Vocab Flashcards
b
Acid Rain
Air pollution + Precipitation
Binomial Nomenclature
two-word naming system for all organisms; gives the scientific name consisting of genus and species; ex. Homo sapiens/ (humans)
Bioaccumulation/biomagnification
Increase in amount of pollutants in environment (biomagnification) organisms as you move up trophic level (bioaccumulation)
Carbon Cycle
Cycle of carbon through organisms, atmosphere, and soil
Carrying Capacity
Max # of organisms of a population that an environment can support
Cell
Smallest unit of life; membrane-bound unit
Class
Group of organisms with closely related Orders
Classical Conditioning
learned involuntary responses from associating stimuli ex. Bell rings = dinner; dog knows they’ll get food when bell rings
Classification
Putting organisms into groups with similar characteristics
Courtship
behaviour that results in mating: ex. flirting
Dichotomous Key
Scientific tool used to identify different organisms based on observable traits
Domain
Largest of all taxonomic groups in the classification of life
Eukaryote
Nucleus + membrane-bound organelles
Eutrophication
To many nutrients in water, usually from runoff, causes growth of plants/algae and a death of animals from a lack of oxygen.
External Fertilization
When eggs are fertilized outside the female’s body ex. most fish
Family
Taxonomic group of closely related Genus
Fossil Fuels
Buried remains of ancient organisms that can be used as a source of energy
Genus
Group of closely related species with the same Family
Greenhouse Effect
Heat is trapped close to Earth’s surface by ‘greenhouse gases,’ keeping the planet warm.
Habituation
Less sensitive to a stimulus after repeated exposure ex. strong odors
Hibernation
Deep sleep that helps them to save energy and survive the winter
Imprinting
Offspring attachments during youth like parents
Internal Fertilization
When eggs are fertilized inside the female’s body ex. humans
Invasive Species
Organisms introduced into an environment where they out-compete native species and populations explode
Kingdom
second largest taxonomic group; closely related phyla
Limiting Factor
Something in the environment that limits a population from growing; ex. disease, predation, and natural disasters
Nitrogen Cycle
Transfer of nitrogen from the atmosphere to the soil, living organisms, and back to the atmosphere
Nitrogen Fixation
Bacteria or lighting converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia
Order
a group of closely related families
Pheromone
Substance produced to show others to engage in some kind of behavior
Phylum
Group of closely related classes
Placenta
An organ that develops in the fetus during pregnancy
Prokaryote
Bacteria cell without nucleus or membrane-bound organelles
Seed
Plant structure with embryo & food surrounded by a protective coat
Species
Group of organisms that can successfully interbreed and produce fertile offspring
Spore
Reproductive cells fungi produce
Suckling
Mammal nurses to offspring
Taxis
Response because of a stimulus
Taxonomy
Classifying organisms into groups based upon similar characteristics
Territoriality
the defense of an area
Trial and Error Learning
Animal performs a behavior over and over again until success is achieved
Tropism
Growth or movement of a plant in response to the environment
Waste Lagoon
Body of water used to dispose of animal wastes on farms; bad if mixes with runoff
Name the taxonomy groups
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
