| Term | Definition |
|---|
| abiotic | non-living (referring to parts of ecosystem) |
| acid deposition | precipation with low pH (acid rain) |
| allele | any of a set of possible forms of a gene |
| biochemical conversion | changing of organic matter into other chemical forms |
| biological diversity | varied species in an ecosystem and their abundance |
| biomass conversion | changing of organic matter into useful liquid, gas, or fuel |
| biomedical technology | application of health care theories to develop ways to maintain body conditions (homeostasis) |
| biomes | community of organisms of a single major ecological region |
| biotechnology | ways that humans apply biological concepts to produce products and provide services |
| biotic | living (referring to components of ecosystem) |
| carbon chemistry | science of carbon-based matter (organic chemistry) |
| closing the loop | using products made from recycled materials |
| commodities | goods or products before they are processed and/or given a brand name |
| composting | The process of mixing decaying leaves, manure, and other nutritive matter to improve and fertilize soil. |
| construction technology | The ways that humans build structures on sites |
| consumer | Organisms obtaining energy by feeding on other organisms and their remains (animals, heterotrophs) OR a person buying goods and services |
| decomposer | An organism, often microscopic, that obtains nutrients by consuming dead organic matter, making nutrients accessible to other organisms (fungi, scavengers, rodents...) |
| delineate | To trace the outline, to draw, sketch, or depict; to separate. |
| desalinization | To remove salts and other chemicals from sea or salt water. |
| dichotomous | Divided into two parts or classifications. |
| ecosystem | A community of living organims and their interrelated physical and chemical environment. |
| electronic communication | System for the transmission of information using electronic technology (digital cameras, cellphones, internet, tv, fiber optics) |
| embryology | the branch of biology dealing with the development of living things from fertilized egg to its developed state. |
| endangered species | A species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. |
| engineering | The application of scientific, physical, mechanical and mathematical principles to design processes, products, and structures that improve the quality of life. |
| environment | The total of the surroundings (air, water, vegetation, soil, etc.) influencing each living being's existence, including physical, biological, and all other factors; the surroundings of a plant or animals including other plants or animals, climate, and location. |
| enzyme | A protein that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being changed by the reaction; an organic catalyst |
| equilibrium | The ability of an ecosystem to maintain stability among its biological resources so that there is a steady optimum yield. |
| ergonomical | Of ore relating to the design of equipment or devices to fit the human body's control, position, movement, and environment. |
| evolution | a process of change explaining why what we see today is different from what existed in the past (applies to galaxies, stars, solar systems, earth, and life of earth) Biological evolution is a change inhereditary characteristics of groups of organisms over the course of generations |
| extinction | complete elimination of a species from the earth |
| fact | information that has been objectively verified |
| geologic hazard | naturally occurring or man-made condition that presents a risk or danger to life and property (landslides, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, coastal erosion, dam leakage or failure, mining disasters... |
| geologic map | representation of a region showing earth information such as mineral deposits, fossil localities, age relations of rock units |
| groundwater | water that infiltrates the soil and is located in underground reservoirs called aquifers |
| hazardous waste | a solid that, because of quantity, concentration, or physical, chemistry, or infectious characteristics may pose a threat to human health or the environment |
| homeostasis | tendency for a system to remain in a state of equilibrium by resisting change |
| hydrology | scientific study of water (properties, distribution, and effects of water on the earth's surface) |
| hypothesis | assertion subject to verification or proof as a premise from which a conclusion is drawn |
| incinerating | burning or reducing to ashes |
| information techology | technical means that humans create to store and transmit information |
| inquiry | systematic process for using knowledge and skills to acquire new knowledge |
| instructional technology | any mechanical aid to learning (including computers) |
| integrated pest management | IPM - variety of pest control methods including repairs, traps, bait, poison, natural methods |
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