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7th Unit 5b
Ecology Key Terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Equilibrium | State of ballance |
Homeostasis | The process of maintaining a stable, balanced internal envionment |
Feedback Mechanism | A process used by organisms to maintain homiostasis |
Insulin | A chemical hormone that lowers the level of glucose in the blood |
Stomata | Tiny openings in the leaves of plants that regulate water loss |
Turgor Pressure | The pressure of water within plant cells that allows them to maintain their shape. |
Photosynthesis | The process by which some organisms use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to make their own food |
Autotroph | An organism that makes its own food; another name for a producer |
Glucose | A simple sugar produced by plants; this is a plants food |
Chloroplast | A plant cell organelle where photosynthesis takes place |
Product | A chemical substances formed as a result of a chemical reaction |
Radiant Energy | Energy from the sun |
Pyramid | A three-dimensional shape with triangular sides that meet in a point |
Producer | An organism that makes its own food; also known as an autotroph |
Consumer | An organism that takes in or consumes food; also known as a heterotroph |
Trophic | Relating to the feeding habits of different organisms in a food chain or web |
Transfer of Energy | The changing of energy from one form to another |
Food Chain | A model that shows how matter and energy move through an Ecosystem |
Ecosystem | A system formed by interaction of a community of organisms and their environment |
Therrestrial | Living on or having to with land |
Marine | Living in or having to do with a salt water environment |
Estuary | Where fresh water meets salt water |
Environment | The surroundings in which an organism lives |
Prevailing | Most common |
Diverse | Varied , assorted |
Adaptation | A modification or change that meets a need |
Deciduous | Shedding leaves annually |
Precipitation | Falling rain, snow, or hail formed from the condensation of moisture in the atmosphere |
Transpiration | The evaporation of water from the leaves of plants |
Tundra | Cold treeless plains in the arctic region |
Varying | Different |
Disperse | To spread material arround |
Dormant | A temporary state of inactivity |
Topsoil | The upper fertile layer of soil that plants grow in |
Weathering | The breaking down of rocks by environmental forces |