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Abiotic
Absorption
Acquired Trait
Active Transport
Definition
non-living components of the ecosystem (soil,
water, air)
interception of radiant energy
characteristic of an organism that is not passed
down to offspring genetically; not coded in the
organism's DNA and is a product of the
environment's influence on the organism
movement of particles through proteins in the cell
membrane against the direction of diffusion;
requires cells to use energy
Adaptation
structures, functions, or behaviors that enable a
species to survive; expressions of the organisms’
genetic information
Algal Bloom
algae flourishes due to excessive nutrient deposit in
a body of water, the effects can include: blocking
of sunlight to deeper plant-life, oxygen depletion,
and reduced diversity
Allele
Anaphase
different forms of a single gene
the stage of mitotic cell division in which the
chromosomes move away from one another to
opposite poles of the cell
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Archaea
Atmosphere
Definition
one of the 3 domains, microorganisms that are
prokaryotic and have cell walls, most live in
extreme environments, may be the oldest
organisms on Earth
the air of a locality
Bacteria
one of the 3 domains, prokaryotic microorganisms
that have a cell wall, sensitive to antibiotics,
contains the kingdom Eubacteria, which includes
cyanobacteria and E. coli
Bilateral
Symmetry
body parts arranged in a similar way on both sides
of the body, with each half being nearly a mirror
image of the other half
Binomial
Nomenclature
two-name naming system; first one is the genus and
is capitalized, second name is the species name
and is lowercase; whole name is italicized or
underlined
Biome
large geographical areas that have similar climates
and climax communities (a stable community with
a balance of abiotic and biotic factors)
Biotic
living or once living components of the ecosystem
Carbon Cycle
the movement of carbon from the non-living
environment into living things and then back into
the living environment
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Cell
Cell Membrane
Cell Theory
Cell Wall
Definition
smallest unit of living matter
outer layer that covers a cell’s surface and acts as
a barrier between the inside of a cell and the cell’s
environment
states that all organisms are made up of one or
more cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all
cells come from other cells
structure that surrounds the cell membrane of some
cells and provides strength and support to the cell
membrane
Chlorophyll
green pigment in chloroplasts that absorbs light
energy for photosynthesis
Chloroplast
organelle found in plant and algae cells where
photosynthesis occurs
Chromosome
coiled structure of DNA and protein that forms in
the cell nucleus during cell division
Classification
the action or process of grouping organisms
according to shared qualities or characteristics
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Climate
Cloud
Definition
Average weather pattern in an area over a long
period of time; can be classified by temperature,
humidity, precipitation, and vegetation
a visible mass of particles of condensed vapor (as
water or ice) suspended in the atmosphere of a
planet (as the earth) or moon
Commensalism
a relationship where one organism benefits while
the other is neither benefited nor harmed
Community
all of the populations of different species that live
and interact in an area
Competition
two or more species or individuals trying to use the
same limited resources
Conduction
transfer of energy that occurs when molecules
bump into each other
Constant
values that do not change across different trials
and levels of IV
Consumer
an organism that eats producers or other organisms
for energy
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Control
Definition
standard to which the outcome of a test is
compared
Convection
transfer of heat by the flow of material
Cooperation
two or more species or individuals working together
to achieve a common goal
Cross-Pollination
the process used to transfer pollen from one flower
to the stigma to another
Cytoplasm
Decomposer
Decomposition
Dependent
Variable
cellular fluid surrounding a cell’s organelles
an organism that gets energy by breaking down
the remains of dead organisms or animal wastes
and consuming or absorbing the nutrients
the breakdown of dead materials into carbon
dioxide and water
responding variable; what is measured, counted, or
observed in an experiment
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Dew Point
Dichotomous Key
Definition
temperature at which air is saturated and
condensation forms
a tool that allows the user to determine the identity
of items in the natural world; consist of a series of
two (“di”) choices that lead the user to the correct
name of a given item
Diffusion
movement of particles from an area of high
concentration to an area of low concentration
Dissolved Oxygen
measures water's ability to support plants and
animals; main factor that affects the amount of
dissolved oxygen: temperature; as temperature
rises, less gas will dissolve
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid; heredity material that
controls all the activities of a cell, contains the
information to make new cells, and provides
instruction for making proteins
Domain
highest level of classification including Eukarya,
Bacteria and Archaea
Dominant Trait
Dormancy
trait observed when at least one dominant allele for
a characteristic is inherited
a period of slowed metabolism when growth and
development are temporarily stopped; helps an
organism to conserve energy; associated with
environmental conditions
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Definition
Double Helix
two twisted strands of sugar-phosphate molecules
and nitrogen bases
Ecosystem
includes the communities and how they react with
each other (biotic factors) as well as the non-living
parts of the environment (abiotic factors)
Endoplasmic
Reticulum
membrane-covered cell organelle that produces
lipids, breaks down drugs and other substances,
and packages proteins for delivery out of the cell
Energy Budget
the total amount of energy coming into and
leaving the atmosphere
Energy Pyramid
a diagram shaped like a triangle that shows the loss
of energy at each level of the food chain
Estuary
extremely fertile area where a river meets an
ocean; contains a mixture of freshwater and
saltwater and serves as a nursery for many species
of fish
Eukarya
eukaryotic organisms: contains the 4 kingdoms of
Protist, Fungus, Plant, and Animal
Eukaryote
cell that does contain a membrane-bound nucleus;
may be unicellular or multicellular
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Definition
Eutrophication
the effects of increased nutrients resulting in algae
blooms causing decreased dissolved oxygen levels
in an aquatic ecosystem
Evolution
the process by which populations accumulate
inherited changes over time
Exosphere
Has few molecules; last layer of the atmosphere;
this is the layer the space shuttle orbits in
Extinct
describes a species of organism that has died out
completely
Flood Plain
Fog
Food Chain
Food Web
an area of low-lying ground adjacent to a river,
formed mainly of river sediments and subject to
flooding
a stratus cloud that forms when air is cooled to its
dew point near the ground
a diagram that represents how energy in food
molecules flow from one organism to the next
a complex diagram representing how the many
energy pathways (food chains) exist in an
ecosystem
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Definition
Front
Boundary between two air masses with different
temperatures, density, or moisture; can be cold or
warm
Gene
segments of DNA that carry hereditary instructional
and are passed from parent to offspring; located
on chromosomes
Generation
body of living beings constituting a single step in the
line of descent from an ancestor
Genetic
Engineering
directed alteration of genetic material by
intervention in genetic processes
Genetics
Genotype
branch of biology that deals with the heredity and
variation of organisms
the inherited combination of alleles
Golgi
Body/Apparatus
organelles that package cellular materials and
transport them out of the cell
Greenhouse
Effect
heat-trapping feature of the atmosphere that
keeps Earth warm enough to support life
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Habitat
Herbivore
Heredity
Heterozygous/
Hybrid
Definition
place where an organism lives and that provides
the types of food, shelter, moisture, and
temperature needed for survival
a consumer that eats only plants
passing of traits from parent to offspring
having two different alleles
Hibernation
inactivity in cold weather; cyclic response of
inactivity and slowed metabolism that occurs
during periods of cold temperatures and limited
food supplies
Homeostasis
the maintenance of a constant internal
environment; a “steady state” or condition;
examples: maintaining a constant blood pressure,
temperature, heart rate
Homozygous/
Purebred
Humidity
having two of the same alleles for a gene
amount of water vapor held in the air
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Definition
Hurricane
large, severe storm that forms over tropical oceans,
has winds of least 120 km/h, and loses power when
it reaches land
Hypothesis
prediction that can be tested; written in the “If,
then” format
Independent
Variable
Inference
Infrared
Inherited Trait
manipulated variable; changed by the
experimenter to see a change
a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and
reasoning
type of solar radiation
characteristic controlled by genes that can be
passed from parents to offspring
Interdependence
organisms are mutually reliant on each other
Interphase
phase of the cell cycle in which a typical cell
spends most of its life; cell copies its DNA in
preparation for mitosis
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Definition
Ionosphere
Layer of electrically-charged particles in the
thermosphere that absorbs AM radio waves during
the day and reflects them back at night
Jet Stream
Narrow belt of strong winds that blows near the top
of the troposphere
Kingdom
Limiting Factor
Lysosome
level of classification under domain; contains 6
kingdoms (Archaebacteria, Eubacteria, Protista,
Fungi, Plantae, Animalia)
anything than can restrict the size of a population,
including living and non-living features of an
ecosystem, such as predators or drought
organelle in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic animal
cells containing digestive enzymes enclosed in a
membrane
Meiosis
cell division that produces gametes (sex cells) that
contain half the number of original chromosomes
Mesosphere
extends from the top of the stratosphere to about
85 km above the earth; usually where “shooting
stars” are seen
Metabolism
total of all activities (such as ingestion, digestion,
cellular transport, and excretion) of an organism
that allows for cell growth and development
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Definition
Metaphase
the second stage of mitosis, between prophase
and anaphase, during which the chromosomes line
up in the middle of the cell
Meteorologist
a scientist that studies weather and uses information
from Doppler radar, weather satellites, computer
and other instruments to make weather maps and
provide forecasts
Microscope
Mitochondria
scientific tool used for viewing small organisms or
objects
organelles that break down food and release
energy
Mitosis
cell division that produces somatic (body cells) that
contain the exact same DNA as the parent cell
Model
a way to help understand the parts of a structure,
the way a process works, or to show things too
larger or small for viewing
Multicellular
Mutation
made of more than one cell
a change in an organism’s DNA, either in the order
of nitrogen bases or the entire chromosome;
deletion, insertion or substitution are examples
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Mutualism
Natural Selection
Niche
Definition
a relationship where both organisms benefit from
the relationship
the process by which organisms with favorable traits
survive and reproduce at a higher rate than
organisms without that favorable trait
an organism’s role or way of life and its relationship
with its biotic and abiotic environments
Nitrates
Nitrogen is necessary for plant and animal life.
Water is tested for nitrates to monitor and control
eutrophication, which causes more plant growth
and decay.
Nitrogen Cycle
the movement of nitrogen from the non-living
environment into living organisms and back again
Nitrogenous Bases
Nucleus
Omnivore
make up the “rungs” of DNA: adenine, guanine,
cytosine, and thymine
membrane-covered organelle found in eukaryotic
cells (contains the cell’s DNA and serves as a
control center for the cell)
a consumer that eats both plants and animals
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Definition
Organ
structure, such as the heart, made up of different
types of tissues that all work together
Organ System
group of organs that work together to carry on life
functions
Organelle
structure in a cell that can act as a storage site,
process energy, move materials, or manufacture
substances
Organism
living thing that carries out basic life functions on its
own
Osmosis
Ozone Layer
Parasitism
Passive Transport
diffusion of water across a cell membrane
layer within the stratosphere with high
concentrations of ozone; absorbs most of the sun’s
harmful ultraviolet radiation
a type of symbiotic relationship in which one
organism benefits and the other organism is
harmed
movement of particles through the cell membrane
from areas where the concentration of particles is
high to areas where the concentration is low
without using energy
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Pedigree
pH Level
Definition
a diagram of family history used for tracing a trait
through several generations
probability of Hydrogen ions; pH of water should be
around 7; 1-6 (acid) and 8-14 (base)
Phenotype
an organism’s inherited physical appearance
Phosphorus
nutrient needed in growth; phosphate ion is found
in shells, bones, and in animal teeth. By removing
phosphorous from sewage the amount of
phosphate ions in the water will be lowered.
Photosynthesis
process by which producers use light energy to
produce food (glucose) and oxygen from carbon
dioxide and water
Phylum/Division
a principal taxonomic category that ranks above
class and below kingdom
Population
organisms of one species living in the same place
at the same time
Precipitation
water falling from the clouds, including rain, snow,
sleet, and hail; form is determined by air
temperature
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Predator
Prey
Producer
Definition
a consumer that hunts down and kills another
consumer for food
the consumer that is hunted down and killed for
food
an organism that makes its own food
Prokaryote
cell that does not contain a membrane-bound
nucleus; always single-celled
Prophase
first stage of mitosis in which the chromosomes
condense and become visible
Protein
Punnett Square
Qualitative
Observation
coded for by RNA, made of amino acids that
determine an organism’s traits; used by the body
for growth and replacement and repair of body
cells
a tool used in genetics to predict the probability of
certain traits in offspring that shows the different
ways alleles can combine
observation that uses the five senses
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Quantitative
Observation
Definition
observation that includes numbers
Radial Symmetry
body parts arranged in a circle around a central
point
Radiation
the process of emitting radiant energy in the form
of waves or particles
Recessive Trait
Relative Humidity
trait that is apparent only when two recessive alleles
for the same characteristic are inherited
measure of the amount of moisture held in the air
compared with the amount it can hold at a given
temperature; can range from 0-100 percent
Respiration
process by which producers and consumers release
stored energy from food molecules
Ribosome
small cytoplasmic structure on which cells make
their own proteins
Ridgeline/Divide
areas of higher elevation that separate watersheds
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Definition
Riparian Forest
Buffers
transition area of land adjacent to a body of water,
stream, river, or shoreline; filters pollutants and
sediment from rainfall, flood control, controls runoff,
and provides wildlife habitat
River System
all of the tributaries that drain a watershed
Runoff
the draining away of water (or substances carried
in it) from the surface of an area of land, a building
or structure, etc.
Salinity
measure of the salt concentration of water; usually
expressed in parts per thousand (ppt)
Selective
Breeding
the breeding of organisms that have a specific
desirable trait
Selective
Permeability
a feature of the plasma membrane that is essential
to maintain homeostasis by regulating the passage
of some substances while preventing others from
entering or leaving the cell
Social Hierarchy
how individual or groups of organisms are “ranked”
within a group where some organisms receive more
resources than others
Species
group of organisms that share similar characteristics
and can reproduce among themselves producing
fertile offspring
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Definition
Stratosphere
layer above the troposphere, contains the ozone
layer; extends from 10 km-50 km
Submerged
Aquatic
Vegetation (SAV)
the nursery grounds for many species, which
stabilize sediment, dampen wave energy which
helps control erosion and turbidity
Succession
natural, gradual changes in the types of species
that live in an area; can be primary or secondary
Sustainable
Development
economic development that is conducted without
depletion of natural resources
Symbiosis
a close relationship between two organisms where
one or both benefits by being provided with food,
shelter, support, or transportation
Taxonomy
the branch of science concerned with
classification, especially of organisms
Telophase
the final phase of cell division, between anaphase
and interphase, in which the chromosomes move
to opposite ends of the cell and two nuclei are
formed
Temperature
always measure in degrees Celsius; there are many
natural and human factors that can affect a river's
temperature; human factors include industry,
development, and dams
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Territorial
Imperative
Testable Question
Definition
the need to claim and defend a territory
measurable, comparable, and demonstrates cause
and effect; cannot be “Googled”
Thermosphere
named for its high temperatures, thickest layer of
the atmosphere; found between 85 km- 500 km
above the earth’s surface
Thunderstorm
a storm accompanied by lightning and thunder;
usually occurs as the result of a cold front
Tissue
Title
Tornado
Trait
group of similar cells that work together to carry out
a job
written as, “The Effect of the IV on the DV”
a violent, whirling, wind that moves in a narrow
path over land
distinguishing quality that can be passed from one
generation to another
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Tributary
Trophic Level
Tropism
Troposphere
Turbidity
Definition
a river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake
each of several hierarchical levels in an ecosystem,
comprising organisms that share the same function
in the food chain and the same nutritional
relationship to the primary sources of energy
positive or negative plant response to an external
stimulus such as touch, light, or gravity
the lowest, densest part of the earth's atmosphere
from the surface to the stratosphere in which most
weather changes occur and temperature generally
decreases rapidly with altitude
measures water clarity, which allows sunlight to
penetrate to a greater depth; main sources of
turbidity are erosion, living organisms, and those
from human endeavors
Ultraviolet
situated beyond the visible spectrum at its violent
end – made of radiation having a wavelength
shorter than wavelengths of visible light and longer
than those of X-rays
Unicellular
made of one single cell
Vacuole
large (plant cells) and small (animal cells)
membrane-covered structure that serve as a
storage container for water, food, and wastes
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Variation
Water Cycle
Watershed
Definition
inherited trait that makes an individual different
from other members of the same species and
results from a mutation in the organism’s genes
the movement of water between the ocean,
atmosphere, land, and living things
the land that water flows across on its way to a
stream, lake, or wetland
Weather
the state of the atmosphere at a specific time and
place; describes conditions such as air pressure,
wind, temperature, and the amount of moisture in
the air
Wetland
a land region that is wet most or all of the year
Wind
results when air moves from regions of high pressure
to regions of low pressure
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