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Environmental Science Chapter 5 Vocab

Terms in this set (38)

Evolution
Change over time
Gene
A sequence of DNA that codes for a particular trait
Mutation
A change in DNA
Genetic Drift
Biological evolution that occurs by chance
Natural Selection
The processes by which traits that improve an organism's chances for survival reproduction are passed on more frequently to offspring than those who don't
Fitness
The degree to which an organism can reproduce successfully in its environment
Adaption
A heritable trait that increases the likelihood of an individual's survival and reproduction
Artificial Selection
A human controlled process to produce individuals with certain traits
Speciation
The process by which new species are generated
Extinction
The disappearance of a species from Earth
Niche
An organism's habitat, resource use, and fundamental role in society
Tolerance
The ability to survive and reproduce under changing environmental conditions
Predation
The process by which individuals of one species hunt, capture, and feed on individuals of another species
Parasitism
A relationship between two organisms from different species in which one organism depends on the other for some form of nourishment or some other benefit
Symbiosis
A long term and physically close relationship between two organisms from different species in which at least one organism benefits. Commenalism, parasitism and mutualism are all forms of symbiotic relationships
Herbivory
The act of feeding on a plant
Mutualism
A relationship between two organisms from different species in which both organisms benefit
Commensalism
A relationship between two organisms from different species in which ones benefits and the other is unaffected
Primary Producer
An organism that can capture energy from the sun or chemicals and store it, also called autotroph
Photosynthesis
The process by which primary producers use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars, releasing oxygen
Chemosynthesis
The process by which bacteria use energy in bonds of hydrogen sulfide to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugar
Consumer
An organism that relies on other organisms for energy and nutrients; also called heterotroph
Cellular Respiration
The process by which organisms use oxygen to release the chemical energy of sugars, producing carbon dioxide and water
Herbivore
An organism that eats plants
Carnivore
An organism that kills and eats other snimals
Omnivore
An organism that eats plants and animals
Detrititvore
An organism that scavenges the waste or dead bodies of other community members
Decomposer
An organism that breaks down nonliving matter into simple parts that can then be taken up and reused by primary producers
Tropic Level
A rank in a feeding hierarchy
Biomass
The total amount of living tissue in a tropic
Food Chain
A linear series of feeding relationships
Food Web
A diagram of feeding relationships and energy flow showing the paths by which nutrients and energy pass from organism as one consumes another
Keystone Species
A species that has a strong or wide - ranging impact on a community
Succession
A somewhat predictable series of changes over time in a community
Primary Succession
The somewhat predictable series of changes in a community that follows a disturbance so severe that no vegetation for soil life remains
Pioneer Species
One of the first species to colonize newly exposed land
Secondary Succession
The somewhat predictable series of change in a community that follows a disturbance that dramatically alters the community but doesn't destroy all vegetation or soil life
Invasive Species
A nonnative species that spreads widely in a community
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