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Biology STAAR Vocabulary Reporting Categories One - Five

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Term
Definition
Biomolecules   organic molecules which combine to form living organisms; includes carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids  
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Carbohydrates   biomolecule of carbon,hydrogen and oxygen combined in 1:2:1 ratio; include simple and complex sugars; molecules which store energy, add structure, & provide sugars for DNA and RNA; monomer - monosaccharaide ; polymer - polysaccharide  
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Lipids   biomolecule composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; includes fats,oils, waxes and sterols; important component of cell membranes  
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Proteins   biomolecule composed of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; made up of monomer amino acids; enzyme is an example  
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Nucleic Acids   biomolecule made up of nucleotides; nucleotides contain a phosphate sugar and nitrogen base; examples include DNA and RNA  
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Monomer   single unit ; small piece of biomolecule  
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Polymer   multi piece unit; made up of smaller monomers  
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condensation   A chemical reaction in which water or another simple substance is released by the combination of two or more molecules, aka dehydration synthesis  
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dehydration synthesis   A chemical reaction that builds up molecules by losing water molecules  
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hydrolysis   The process of splitting a compound into fragments with the addition of water; a kind of reaction that is used to break down polymers into simpler units, e.g. starch into glucose.  
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organic molecule   An organic compound always contains carbon; Examples : carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Prokaryotic  
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Prokaryotic   an organism whose cell generally lacks a true nucleus Examples: bacterial cells Eukaryotic  
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eukaryotic   organism possessing a membrane-bound nucleus ; animals, plants, fungi, and protists  
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homeostasis   The tendency of an organism or a cell to regulate its internal conditions, usually by a system of feedback controls or feedback loops, so as to stabilize health and functioning, regardless of the outside changing conditions ex: sweating when hot  
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energy conversion organelles   Chloroplasts – Only in plant cells, these organelles convert solar energy to chemical energy that the cell can use. Mitochondria – The energy center of the cell. Changes food energy into chemical energy the cell can use.  
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transport of molecules organelles   movement of nutrients & wastes must occur within the cell;lysosomes digest wastes; vacuoles stores & removes wastes;cell membrane controls movement of materials in and out of cell; endoplasmic reticulum transports materials inside of cell  
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synthesis of molecules organelles   organelles within a cell must make molecules ; ribosomes make proteins; golgi body repackages proteins for different uses;  
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virus   A submicroscopic infectious agent that is unable to grow or reproduce outside a host cell. It is non-cellular but consisting of a core of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat.  
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lytic infection   viral infection which immediately makes host sick by destroying cells  
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lysogenic infection   viral disease which remain dormant for a time and causes no symptoms  
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human immunodeficiency virus   HIV caused AIDS or Aquired Immune Deficiency by destroying a special white blood cell known as a Helper T cell  
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influenza   viral disease caused by airborne transmission; vaccines must be taken annually to lower probability of contacting the "flu"  
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deoxyribonucleic acid   double-stranded nucleic acid found in the nucleus which provides instruction for making proteins; provides hereditary information  
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ribonucleic acid   single stranded nucleic acid made during transcription to provide template for making proteins at ribosome during translation  
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cell cycle   components include interphase, mitosis and cytokinesis  
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interphase   part of the cell cycle; resting stage of cell and preparation for mitosis; includes G 1 (duplication of organelles) S phase(replication of DNA) and G 2 (checking of replication)  
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mitosis   part of cell cycle; division of the nucleus; includes prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase  
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cytokinesis   part of cell cycle; division of cytoplasm and organelles except nucleus  
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cell differentiation   specialization of cells for a particular function  
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cancer   uncontrolled cell division; creates tumors and interferes with normal cell function  
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Nucleotide   A subunit (monomer) of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. Composed of a sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base.  
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Phosphate Group   Component of DNA or RNA nucleotide  
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Deoxyribose   A monosaccharide (sugar) found in each nucleotide in DNA.  
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Nitrogen Bases   Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, and Guanine in DNA. Adenine, Uracil, Cytosine, and Guanine in RNA.  
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Genetic Code   The code found in DNA that matches codons in mRNA to amino acids on tRNA.  
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Genome   An organism's complete set of genetic information (DNA).  
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Transcription   The process where a copy of mRNA is made from one gene in DNA; occurs in nucleus  
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Translation   The process of making a protein, where tRNA matches amino acids to codons in the mRNA; occurs in ribosome  
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Translocation   mutation resulting from movement of DNA from one chromosome to a different location on some chromosome  
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Meiosis   cell division creating sex cells with half the amount of DNA  
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Monohybrid cross   punnett square showing results of genetic cross of one trait  
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Dominant   allele with genetic trait always expressed  
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homozygous   alleles with the same genetic information  
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Non-Mendelian Inheritance   genetic inheritance pattern different from dominant hides recessive trait such as codominance, imcomplete dominance  
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Incomplete Dominance   genetic inheritance pattern where phenotype of offspring are a blend between two separate parental phenotypes  
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Genetic Mutation   changes in organism's DNA sequence;  
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Deletion   changes in genetic code with removal of nucleotides  
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Insertion   changes in genetic code with addition of nucleotides  
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Inversion   changes in genetic code with nucleotides in opposite order  
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Gene   A unit of heredity; A portion of DNA that codes for a trait.  
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Punnett Square   graphic organizer showing results of a genetic cross  
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Dihybrid cross   punnett square showing results of genetic cross of two traits  
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Mendelian Inheritance   genetic inheritance pattern when dominant trait always masks or hides phenotype of recessice trait  
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Recessive   Genetic trait which only expresses phenotype when in homozygous state; hides when dominant allel is present  
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Homozygous   alleles with the same genetic information  
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Heterozygous   alleles with different genetic information; one dominant allele and one recessice allele.  
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Co-dominance   genetic inheritance pattern in which two dominant alleles are expressed in phenotype  
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DNA fingerprinting   creating a gel electrophoresis of DNA nucleotides to determine similarities in banding patterns  
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Genetic Modification   changing of the DNA sequence to alter protein synthesis  
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Chromosomal Analysis   karyotype; picture of chromosomes to determine mutations such as nondisjunction  
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Sex Cells   Haploid cells created by meiosis; gametes  
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Independent Assortment   Mendel principle states different pairs of genes are passed to offsrping separately to form new gene combinations  
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Crossing Over   exchange of DNA from separate chromosomes during meiosis  
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Segregation   Mendel principle that gene pairs separate during meiosis so each parent passes down one form of gene to offspring.  
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Common Ancestor   the most recent ancestral form or species from which two different species evolved  
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Fossil Record   A term used by paleontologists to refer to the total number of fossils that have been discovered, as well as to the information derived from them  
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Biogeography   the study of the geographical distribution of living things.  
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Anatomical Homologies   morphological(form or structure) or physiological (function) similarities between different species of plants or animals  
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Molecular Homologies   genes shared due to common ancestry  
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Developmental Homologies   Studying the embryological development of living things provides clues to the evolution of present-day organisms  
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Natural Selection   the process by which forms of life having traits that better enable them to adapt to specific environmental pressures  
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Adaptations   any alteration in the structure or function of an organism or any of its parts that results from natural selection and by which the organism becomes better fitted to survive and multiply in its environment  
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Diversity   degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet  
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Inherited Variation   differences in genetic information passed down through  
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Evolutionary Mechanisms   Mutation, migration (gene flow), genetic drift, and natural selection  
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Genetic Drift   change in the frequency of a gene variant (allele) in a population due to random sampling  
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Gene Flow   the transfer of alleles of genes from one population to another  
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Mutation   a permanent change in the DNA sequence of a gene's which alters the amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by the gene  
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Recombination   change in genetic sequence which increases variation among organisms  
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Cell Complexity   eukaryotic cells are larger and more complex than prokaryotic cells  
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Taxonomy   classfy living organisms into groups; Domain,Kingdom,Phylum,Class,Order,Family,Genus,Species  
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Archaea Kingdom   prokaryotic kingdom of bacteria able to live in harsh enviroments which are hot,salty or acidic  
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Eubacteria Kingdom   prokaryotic kingdom of bacteria with majority of organisms are beneficial and only a few are harmful  
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Protist Kingdom   eukaryotic kingdom of mostly one celled organism divided into 3 groups: animal like, plant like, and fungus like  
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Fungi Kingdom   eukaryotic kingdom of heterotrophic decomposers with cell walls made of chitin  
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Plant Kingdom   eukaryotic kingdom of autotrophic, multicellular stationary organisms which undergo photosynthesis  
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Animal Kingdom   eukaryotic kingdom of heterotrophic, multicellular mobile organisms.  
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Endocrine System   The body system that send messages within the body through the use of hormones.  
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Nervous System   The body system that sends and receives messages through electrical impulses.  
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Circulatory System   The body system that transports chemicals throughout the body including oxygen, carbon dioxide and hormones.  
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Digestive System   The body system that breaks down food into nutrients and then absorbs them into the circulatory system.  
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Reproductive System   The body system that allows an organism to reproduce, including the production of gametes.  
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Skeletal System   The body system that provides support,a point of attachment for muscles, storage of minerals and production of red and white blood cells  
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Muscular System   The body system that allows for movement. smooth muscles - organs; skeletal muscles - bones cardiac muscles - heart  
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Integumentary System   The body system that provide protection and keeps the body from drying out.  
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Excretory System   the body systems which removes liquid wastes; major organs include kidney & skeletal  
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Respiratory System   the body system which exchange gases with the enviroment; major organs are lungs  
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Lymphatic System   the body system which helps fight infections; major organs are lymph nodes and lymph vessels  
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Body System-Regulation   endocrine, immune,circulatory,integumentary, respiratory, muscular and nervous systems help regulate or control function of body systems  
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Body System-Nutrient Absorption   digestive sytstem absorbs nutrients for the body while the skeletal system stores nutrients inside the bones; circulatory transports nutrients assisted by muscular, nervous and excretory systems  
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Body System-Reproduction   the reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems coordinate an organism's reproduction  
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Body System-Defense   immune system, integumentary system,skeletal system, endocrine system and nervous systems coordinate to defend an organism against pathogens  
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Transport in Plants   vascular tissue in plants which transport food and water; also known as vascular bundle  
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Xylem   vascular tissue in plants which conduct water to plant  
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Phloem   vascular tissue in plants which conducts food inside the plant  
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Reproduction in Plants   Includes production of pollen in stamen which is transferred to stigma of pistil  
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Pistil   female part of flower; divided into stigma, style and ovary.  
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Stigma   top portion of pistil; sticky to capture pollen  
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Style   long tube portion of pistil; forms pollen tubes  
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Ovary   bottom portion of pistil; contains eggs used to form seeds  
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Stamen   male part of flower; divided into anther and filament  
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Anther   top portion of stamen; contains pollen  
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Filament   stalk portion of stamen used to support anther  
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Reactants   Elements and compounds on left side of chemical equation which enter a chemical reaction  
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Products   Elements and compounds on right side of chemical equation which exit a chemical reaction  
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Photosynthesis   Energy transfer reaction changing light energy into chemical energy of glucose  
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Cellular Respiration   Energy transfer changing big chemical energy of glucose into smaller chemical energy of ATP (adenosine triphosphate)  
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Thylakoid   Photosynthetic membrane inside a chloroplast  
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Chlorophyll   Green photosynthetic pigment  
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Mitochondrial Matrix   fluid inside mitochondrion- site of cellular respiration  
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Cristae   Folds inside which increase surface area for the chemical reaction ; inside mitochondrion - site of cellular respiration  
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Enzyme   Protein used to decrease energy required for chemical reaction  
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CTOOO   Cell-Tissue-Organ-Organ System-Organism  
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Internal Feedback Mechanisms   Chemical signals which communicate within a body system to help an organism maintain homeostasis  
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Ecological Succession   how an area changes over time from an area that is uninhabitable to one that is able to support a healthy ecosystem  
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Organism   a living thing; exhibits all 5 characteristics of life (ORGAN)  
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Population   a group of organisms of the same species that live in the same area and interbreed  
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Community   a group of different populations (different species) that live in the same area  
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Biotic Factor   a living thing in an ecosystem; ex. plant, animal, bacteria  
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Abiotic Factor   a nonliving thing in an ecosystem; ex: water, rocks, earth  
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Habitat Requirement   something necessary to make a good place to live: shelter and space, and access to food and water  
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Limiting Factors   any factor that limits the size of a population by restricting its numbers, reproduction, or distribution  
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Carrying Capacity   the maximum population a habitat can sustain  
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Predation   a relationship between two species where one species hunts (predator) and eats the other species (prey)  
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Competition   a realationship between two species where they both require the same resource (food, water, shelter, space) and must compete for it  
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Parasitism   a relationship between two species where one species is helped and the other species is harmed  
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Commensalism   a relationship between two species where one species is helped and the other species is not affected  
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Mutualism   a relationship between two species where both species are helped  
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Autotroph   an organism that can use photosynthesis to make its own food: "self-feeding"  
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Heterotroph   an organism that cannot use photosynthesis to amke its own food and must eat other organisms to survive: "other-feeding"  
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Trophic Level   the position a species occupiesin a food chain; ex. producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer  
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Food Chain   a sequence of organisms tha shows how energy is transferred from plants, to plant eaters, to meat eaters and so on  
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Food Web   a combination of several food chains within an ecosystem  
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Ecological Pyramid   a graphic representation of the amount of biomass present in each trophic level of a food chain; producers are always on the bottom, then primary consumers, then secondary consumers and so on  
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Microorganisms   living things that can only be seen with a microscope; ex. bacteria, protists  
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Biomes   areas with similar climate and conditions: ex. bacteris, protists  
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Resource Base   amount of total available food, water, shelter, and space; total amount of biotic and abiotic factors available for organisms  
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Predation   a relationship between two species where one species hunts (predator) and eats the other species (prey)  
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Competition   a realationship between two species where they both require the same resource (food, water, shelter, space) and must compete for it  
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Parasitism   a relationship between two species where one species is helped and the other species is harmed  
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Commensalism   a relationship between two species where one species is helped and the other species is not affected  
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Mutualism   a relationship between two species where both species are helped  
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Autotroph   an organism that can use photosynthesis to make its own food: "self-feeding"  
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Heterotroph   an organism that cannot use photosynthesis to amke its own food and must eat other organisms to survive: "other-feeding"  
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Trophic Level   the position a species occupiesin a food chain; ex. producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer  
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Food Chain   a sequence of organisms tha shows how energy is transferred from plants, to plant eaters, to meat eaters and so on  
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Food Web   a combination of several food chains within an ecosystem  
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Ecological Pyramid   a graphic representation of the amount of biomass present in each trophic level of a food chain; producers are always on the bottom, then primary consumers, then secondary consumers and so on  
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Microorganisms   living things that can only be seen with a microscope; ex. bacteria, protists  
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Biomes   areas with similar climate and conditions: ex. bacteris, protists  
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Resource Base   amount of total available food, water, shelter, and space; total amount of biotic and abiotic factors available for organisms  
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Carbon Cycle   the cyclic movement of carbon atoms between living things (organic carbon) and their environment (inorganic carbon)  
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Nitrogen Cycle   the cyclic movement of nitrogen atoms between living things (organic nitrogen) and their environment (inorganic nitrogen)  
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