Glossary

abiogenic:

pertaining to a nonliving origin

abiotic:

nonliving parts of the environment

abiotic factors:

pertaining to nonliving environmental factors such as temperature, water, and nutrients

absorption:

the movement of water and nutrients

acid rain:

acidic precipitation in the form of rain

acidic:

having the properties of an acid

acoelomate:

an animal without a body cavity

acoelomates:

animals without a body cavity

acoustics:

a science that deals with the production, control, transmission, reception, and effects of sound

actin:

a protein in muscle cells that works with myosin in muscle contractions

action potential:

a rapid change in the electric charge of the cell membrane

active transport:

a process requiring energy where materials are moved from an area of lower to an area of higher concentration

adaptive radiation:

a type of divergent evolution where an ancestral species can evolve into an array of species that are specialized to fit different niches

adenosine triphoshate:

an energy-storing molecule that releases energy when one of the phosphate bonds is broken; often referred to as ATP

aestivate:

a state of lowered metabolism and activity that permits survival during hot and dry conditions

agnostic behavior:

a type of behavior involving a contest of some kind that determines which competitor gains access to some resource such as food or mates

alkaline:

having the properties of a base

allele:

one of two or more alternate forms of a gene

alleles:

two or more alternate forms of a gene

allometry:

relative growth of one part of an organism with reference to another part

allopatry:

populations separated by a barrier

alluvial:

sediments from flowing water such as silt, sand, mud, and gravel

alpha:

the dominant member of a group

altruistic behavior:

the aiding of another individual at one's own risk or expense

alveoli:

thin-walled sacs in the lungs where blood in capillaries and air in the lungs exchange gases

ameloblasts:

cells that form dental enamel

amiote:

embryo of a vertebrate that is surrounded by a fluid-filled sac

ammonites:

an extinct group of cephalopods with a curled shell

amnion:

the membrane that forms a sac around an embryo

amniote:

a vertebrate which has a fluid-filled sac that surrounds the embryo

amniotes:

vertebrates which have a fluid-filled sac that surrounds the embryo

anadromous:

moving from the ocean up a river to spawn

analogous:

a similarity in structures between two species that are not closely related

anemia:

a condition that results from a decreased number of red blood cells

angiosperms:

a flowering plant that produces seeds within an ovary

annelids:

segmented worms

anoxic:

an environment that lacks oxygen

anterior:

referring to the head end of an organism

anterior pituitary:

the front part of the pituitary gland that produces hormones that stimulate the production of sperm and testosterone in the testes

antibodies:

proteins in the plasma produced by B cells and plasma cells in reaction to foreign substances or antigens

antigen:

foreign substances that stimulate the production of antibodies in the blood

anurans:

the order of amphibians that contains frogs and toads

aphrodisiac:

a substance or object that is thought to arouse sexual desire

aphrodisiacs:

substances or objects that are thought to arouse sexual desire

aposematic:

a feature or signal that serves to warn

aposematic coloration:

a bright coloration in animals with physical or chemical defenses that act as a warning to predators

appendicular:

having to do with arms and legs

appendicular skeleton:

part of the skeleton with the arms and legs

aquatic:

living in water

aragonite:

a mineral form of calcium carbonate

arboreal:

living in trees

Archae:

an ancient lineage of prokaryotes that live in extreme environments

arthropod:

a phylum of invertebrates characterized by segmented bodies and jointed appendages such as antennae and legs

arthropods:

members of the phylum of invertebrates characterized by segmented bodies and jointed appendages such as antennae and legs

artificial pollination:

manual pollination methods

asexual reproduction:

a reproduction method with only one parent, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent

asymmetrical:

lacking symmetry, having an irregular shape

aural:

related to hearing

autonomic nervous system:

division of the nervous system that carries nerve impulses to muscles and glands

autotroph:

an organism that makes its own food

autotrophs:

organisms that make their own food

axial skeleton:

the skeleton that makes up the head and trunk

axon:

cytoplasmic extension of a neuron that transmits impulses away from the cell body

axons:

cytoplasmic extensions of a neuron that transmit impulses away from the cell body

B-lymphocytes:

specialized cells produced from stem cells in the bone marrow that secrete antibodies that bind with antigens to form a pathogen fighting complex

bacterium:

a member of a large group of single-celled prokaryotes

baleen:

fringed filter plates that hang from the roof of a whale's mouth

Batesian mimicry:

a type of mimicry in which a harmless species looks like a different species that is poisonous or otherwise harmful to predators

behavioral:

relating to actions or a series of actions as a response to stimuli

benthic:

living at the bottom of a water environment

bilateral symmetry:

characteristic of an animal that can be separated into two identical mirror image halves

bilaterally symmetrical:

describes an animal that can be separated into two identical mirror image halves

bilateria:

animals with bilateral symmetry

bilipid membrane:

a cell membrane that is made up of two layers of lipid or fat molecules

bio-accumulation:

the build up of toxic chemicals in an organism

bioactive protein:

a protein that takes part in a biological process

bioactive proteins:

proteins that take part in biological processes

biodiversity:

the variety of organisms found in an ecosystem

biogeography:

the study of the distribution of animals over an area

biological control:

the introduction of natural enemies such as parastites, predators, or pathogens as a method of controlling pests instead of using chemicals

biological controls:

introduction of natural enemies such as parastites, predators, or pathogens as a method of controlling pests instead of using chemicals

biomagnification:

increasing levels of toxic chemicals through each trophic level of a food chain

biomass:

the dry weight of organic matter comprising a group of organisms in a particular habitat

biome:

a major type of ecological community

biometry:

the biological application of statistics to biology

biotic:

pertaining to living organisms in an environment

biotic factors:

biological or living aspects of an environment

bipedal:

walking on two legs

bipedalism:

describes the ability to walk on two legs

birthrate:

a ratio of the number of births in an area in a year to the total population of the area

birthrates:

ratios of the numbers of births in an area in a year to the total population of the area

bivalve mollusk:

a mollusk with two shells such as a clam

bivalve mollusks:

mollusks with two shells such as clams

bivalves:

mollusks that have two shells

body plan:

the overall organization of an animal's body

bone tissue:

dense, hardened cells that makes up bones

botany:

the scientific study of plants

bovid:

a member of the family bovidae which is hoofed and horned ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats and buffaloes

bovids:

members of the family bovidae which are hoofed and horned ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats and buffaloes

brachiopods:

a phylum of marine bivalve mollusks

brackish:

a mix of salt water and fresh water

brood parasites:

birds who lay their eggs in another bird's nest so that the young will be raised by the other bird

buccal:

mouth

budding:

a type of asexual reproduction where the offspring grow off the parent

buoyancy:

the tendency of a body to float when submerged in a liquid

Burgess Shale:

a 550 million year old geological formation found in Canada that is known for well preserved fossils

calcified:

made hard through the deposition of calcium salts

calcite:

a mineral form of calcium carbonate

calcium:

a soft, silvery white metal with a chemical symbol of Ca

capture-recapture method:

a method of estimating populations by capturing a number of individuals, marking them, and then seeing what percentage of newly captured individuals are captured again

cardiac:

relating to the heart

cardiac muscle:

type of muscle found in the heart

cardiopulmonary:

of or relating to the heart and lungs

carnivorous:

describes animals that eat other animals

carrying capacity:

the maximum population that can be supported by the resources

cartilage:

a flexible connective tissue

cartilaginous:

made of cartilage

catadromous:

living in freshwater but moving to saltwater to spawn

character displacement:

a divergence of overlapping characteristics in two species living in the same environment as a result of resource partitioning

chelicerae:

the biting appendages of arachnids

chemoreceptors:

a receptor that responds to a specific type of chemical molecule

chemosynthesis:

obtaining energy and making food from inorganic molecules

chemosynthetic autotrophs:

an organism that uses carbon dioxide as a carbon source but obtains energy by oxidizing inorganic substances

chemotrophs:

animals that make energy and produce food by breaking down inorganic molecules

chitin:

a complex carbohydrate found in the exoskeleton of some animals

chitinous:

made of a complex carbohydrate called chitin

chloroquine:

a drug commonly used to treat malaria

chromosomes:

structures in the cell that carry genetic information

cilia:

hair-like projections used for moving

circadian rhythm:

daily, 24-hour cycle of behavior in response to internal biological cues

clades:

a branching diagram that shows evolutionary relationships of organisms

Class Branchiopoda:

a group of marine bivalve mollusks

Class Malacostraca:

crustaceans such as lobsters, crabs, and shrimp

Class Maxillopoda:

crustaceans such as barnacles, ostracods, and copepods

Class Merostomata:

crustaceans such as horseshoe crabs and eurypterids

Class Pycnogonida:

crustaceans such as sea spiders

cleavage:

the process of cytokinesis in animal cells; as cells multiply, the plasma membrane pinches off to make two cells from one

climate:

long-term weather patterns for a particular region

cnidaria:

a phylum of aquatic invertebrates such as jellyfishes, corals, sea anemones, and hydras

cnidarians:

aquatic invertebrates such as jellyfishes, corals, sea anemones, and hydras

codominance:

an equal expression of two alleles in a heterozygous organism

codon:

the genetic code for an amino acid that is represented by three nitrogen bases

codons:

the genetic code for an amino acid that is represented by three nitrogen bases

coelom:

a body cavity

coevolution:

a situation in which two or more species evolve in response to each other

coexist:

live together

commensal:

a symbiotic relationship wherein which one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed

competitive exclusion principle:

the concept that when populations of two different species compete for the same limited resources, one species will use the resources more efficiently and have a reproductive edge and eventually eliminate the other species

compound eye:

a multifaceted eye that is made up of thousands of simple eyes

compound eyes:

multifaceted eyes that are made up of thousands of simple eyes

concentric:

having the same center

conchiolin:

a protein that is the organic basis of mollusk shells

coniferous, conifers:

having pine trees and other conifers

connective tissue:

cells that make up bones, blood, ligaments, and tendons

consumers:

animals that do not make their own food but instead eat other organisms

continental drift:

the movement of the continents over geologic time

contour feather:

a feather that covers a bird's body and gives shape to the wings or tail

contour feathers:

feathers that cover a bird's body and give shape to the wings or tail

controversy:

a discussion marked by the expression of opposing views

convergence:

animals that are not closely related but they evolve similar structures

copulation:

the act of sexual reproduction

crinoids:

an echinoderm with radial symmetry that resembles a flower

critical period:

a limited time in which learning can occur

critical periods:

a limited time in which learning can occur

crustaceans:

arthropods with hard shells, jointed bodies, and appendages that mainly live in the water

ctenoid scale:

a scale with projections on the edge like the teeth on a comb

cumbersome:

awkward

cytoplasm:

fluid in eukaryotes that surrounds the nucleus and organelles

cytosolic:

the semifluid portions of the cytoplasm

death rate:

a ratio of the number of deaths in an area in a year to the total population of the area

deciduous:

having leaves that fall off at the end of the growing season

denaturing:

break down into small parts

dendrites:

branched extensions of a nerve cell that transmit impulses to the cell body

described:

a detailed description of a species that scientists can refer to identify that species from other similar species

dessication:

drying out

detritus:

dead organic matter

deuterostome:

animal in which the first opening does not form the mouth, but becomes the anus

deuterostomes:

animals in which the first opening does not form the mouth, but becomes the anus

diadromous:

animals that migrate between freshwater and saltwater

differentiation:

differences in structure and function of cells in multicellular organisms as the cells become specialized

diffusion:

the movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration

dioecious:

having members of the species that are either male or female

diploblastic:

having two germ layers; ectoderm and endoderm

diploid cells:

cells with two sets of chromosomes

direct fitness:

fitness gained through personal reproduction

diurnal:

active in the daytime

DNA replication:

the process by which two strands of a double helix separate and form two identical DNA molecules

dominance hierarchies:

the structure of the pecking order of a group of individuals of a group where the multiple levels of dominance and submission occur

dominant:

an allele that is always an expressed trait

dorsal:

the back surface of an animal with bilateral symmetry

dorsal root ganglia:

nervous tissue located near the backbone

dorsoventrally:

flattened from the top and bottom

dysentery:

inflammation of the intestines that is characterized by pain, diarrhea, and the passage of mucous and blood

ecdysis:

shedding the outer layer of skin or exoskeleton

ecdysone:

hormone that triggers molting in arthropods

echinoderms:

sea animals with radial symmetry such as starfish, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers

ecological:

relating to an organism's interaction with its environment

ecology:

study of how organisms interact with their environment

ecosystem:

a self-sustaining collection of organisms and their environment

ecosystems:

self-sustaining collections of organisms and their environments

ecotourism:

tourism that involves travel to areas of ecological or natural interest usually with a naturalist guide

ectodermal:

relating to the outermost of the three germ layers in animal embryos

ectoparasite:

an organism that lives on the surface of another organism and derives its nutrients directly from that organism

ectoparasites:

organisms that live on the surfaces of other organisms and derive their nutrients directly from those organisms

edentates:

lacking teeth

El Niño:

a periodic condition characterized by a warming of the central Pacific Ocean and the changes in global weather patterns that are brought about

emit:

to send out or give off

endocrine system:

the grouping of organs or glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

endoparasite:

an organism that lives inside another organism and derives its nutrients directly from that organism

endoparasites:

organisms that live inside other organisms and derive their nutrients directly from those organisms

endoskeleton:

a skeleton that is surrounded by muscle tissue

endosymbionts:

the hypothesis that certain organelles in eukaryotes are prokaryotes that have a symbiotic relationship and live within the eukaryote

endotrophic:

deriving nourishment from within

enterocoelous:

a cavity formed by the in-folding of the wall of the intestinal cavity in a gastrula

enzyme:

a protein that acts as a catalyst to start a biochemical reaction

enzymes:

proteins that act as catalysts to start biochemical reactions

epidermis:

the protective portion of the outer portion of the skin found in some animals, it is composed of two layers of cells where the outer layer is continuously shed and replaced by the inner layer

epistasis:

a phenomenon in which one gene alters the expression of another gene that is independently inherited

epithelial cells:

cells that occur in tightly packed sheets that line organs and body cavities

epithelial lining:

sheets of tightly packed cells that cover organs and body cavities

epitope:

a localized region on an antigen that is recognized chemically by antibodies

equilibrium:

a state of balance

erythrocytes:

red blood cells, cells containing hemoglobin that carry oxygen throughout the body

estuaries:

an area of brackish water where a river meets the ocean

ethology:

animal behavior

eucoelomates:

animals that have a true body cavity that is completely surrounded by mesoderm

eukaryota:

a group of organisms containing a membrane bound-nucleus and membrane-bound organelles

eukaryotes:

organisms containing a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles

eukaryotic cells:

contains a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles

euryhaline:

animals that can live in a wide range of salt concentrations

eusocial:

animals that show a true social organization

evaporites:

rocks formed from evaporation of salty and mineral-rich liquid

excrescence:

an abnormal growth

excrescences:

abnormal growths

exons:

the coding region in a eukaryotic gene that is expressed

exoskeleton:

a hard outer protective covering common in invertebrates such as insects

exoskeletons:

hard outer protective coverings common in invertebrates such as insects

exponential growth:

a population growing at the fastest possible rate under ideal conditions

extant:

still living

facilitated diffusion:

the spontaneous passing of molecules attached to a carrier protein across a membrane

facultative parasites:

organisms that can survive either as a parasite or free-living

falconry:

a sport where falcons are used for hunting

fascicle:

a close cluster

fauna:

animals

fertilization:

the fusion of male and female gametes

fibroblasts:

type of cells found in loose connective tissue that secretes the proteins for connective fibers

fight or flight response:

an automatic, chemically controlled response to a stimulus that causes increased heart and breathing rates for increased activity

filter feeders:

animals that strain small food particles out of water

fission:

dividing into two parts

fixed action pattern:

behaviors that are common to all members of a species

flagella (flagellum):

cellular tail that allows the cell to move

flagellae:

cellular tails that allow cells to move

flora:

plants

fossil record:

a collection of all known fossils

frequency-depentant selection:

a decline in the reproductive success of a particular body type due to that body type becoming common in the population

frugivores:

fruit-eating animals

functional morphology:

studying form and function

fusion:

coming together

gametes:

reproductive cells that only have one set of chromosomes

gametocyte:

cell that produces gametes through division

gametocytes:

cells that produce gametes through division

ganoid scale:

hard, bony, and enamel covered scales

gastropods:

mollusks that are commonly known as snails

gastrovascular cavity:

a single cavity where digestion occurs

gastrulation:

the formation of a gastrula from a blastula

gene therapy:

a process where normal genes are inserted into DNA to correct a genetic disorder

genes:

segments of DNA located on chromosomes that direct protein production

genetic trait:

trait related to biological inheritance

genetics:

the branch of biology that studies heredity

genome:

an organism's genetic material

genomes:

the sum of all genes in a set of chromosomes

genotype:

the genetic makeup of an organism

germ cell:

an egg or sperm cell, a gamete

germ cells:

egg or sperm cells, gametes

gill arches:

arches of cartilage that support the gills of fishes and some amphibians

gill filaments:

the site of gas exchange in aquatic animals such as fish and some amphibians

gills:

site of gas exchange between the blood of aquatic animals such as fish and the water

gizzard:

the muscular part of the stomach of some animals where food is ground

global warming:

a slow and steady increase in the global temperature

glycoprotein:

an organic molecule that contains a carbohydrate and a protein

gonad:

the male and female sex organs that produce sex cells

gonads:

the male and female sex organs that produce sex cells

granulocytes:

a type of white blood cell where its cytoplasm contains granules

green house effect:

a natural phenomenon where atmospheric gases such as carbon dioxide prevent heat from escaping through the atmosphere

habitat:

the physical location where organisms live in an ecosystem

habitat loss:

the destruction of habitats through natural or artificial means

habitat requirement:

necessary conditions or resources needed by an organism in its habitat

habitats:

physical locations where organisms live in an ecosystem

Hamilton's Rule:

individuals show less agression to closely related kin than to more distantly related kin

haplodiploidy:

the sharing of half the chromosomes between a parent and an offspring

haploid cells:

cells with only one set of chromosomes

hemocoel:

a cavity between organs in arthropods and mollusks through which blood circulates

hemocyanin:

respiratory pigment found in some crustaceans, mollusks, and arachnids

hemoglobin:

an iron-containing protein found in red blood cells that binds with oxygen

hemolymph:

the body fluid found in invertebrates with open circulatory systems

herbivore:

an animal that eats plants only

herbivores:

animals that eat only plants

herbivorous:

animals that eat plants

heredity:

the passing on of characteristics from parents to offspring

heritability:

the ability to pass characteristics from a parent to the offspring

hermaphodite:

an animals with both male and female sex organs

hermaphroditic:

having both male and female sex organs

heterodont:

teeth differentiated for various uses

heterotrophic eukaryotes:

organisms containing a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles and do not make their own food

heterotrophs:

organisms that do not make their own food

heteroxenous:

a life cycle in which more than one host individual is parasitized

heterozygote:

an organism whose chromosomes contain both genes of a contrasting pair

heterozygote advantage:

a condition where a heterozygous individual has a reproductive advantage over a homozygous individual

Hippocrates:

a central figure in medicine in ancient Greece, he is considered the father of modern medicine

home range:

the area where an animal lives and eats

homeostasis:

a state of equilibrium in an animal's internal environment that maintains optimum conditions for life

homeothermic:

describes animals able to maintain their body temperatures

hominid:

belonging to the family of primates

hominids:

belonging to the family of primates

homodont:

teeth with a uniform size and shape

homologous:

similar but not identical

homology:

correspondence in the type of structure and its origin

homoplastic:

similar but of different origins

homozygote:

an animal with two identical alleles for one trait

hormone:

a chemical signal secreted by glands that travel through the bloodstream to regulate the body's activities

hormones:

chemical signals secreted by glands that travel through the bloodstream to regulate the body's activities

Horseshoe crabs:

"living fossils" in the class of arthropods

Hox genes:

also known as selector genes because their expression leads embryonic cells through specific morphologic development

Human Genome Project:

a study by U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health to map the entire human genome by 2003

hunting season:

a period of time during which hunting is permited

hunting seasons:

periods of time during which hunting is permited

hybrid:

offspring resulting from the cross of two different species

hydrostatic skeleton:

a pressurized, fluid-filled skeleton

hyperpolarizing potential:

any change in membrane potential that makes the inside of the membrane more negatively charged

hypothalamus:

part of the upper end of the brain stem that regulates activities in the nervous and endrocrine systems

IgA:

imunoglobin A; a class of proteins that make up antibodies

IgD:

imunoglobin D; a class of proteins that make up antibodies

IgE:

imunoglobin E; a class of proteins that make up antibodies

IgG:

imunoglobin G; a class of proteins that make up antibodies

IgM:

imunoglobin M; a class of proteins that make up antibodies

inbreeding depression:

loss of fitness due to breeding with close relatives

incomplete dominance:

a type of inheritance where the offspring have an intermediate appearance of a trait from the parents

incus:

one of three small bones in the inner ear

indirect fitness:

fitness gained through aiding the survival of nondescendant kin

infrared:

an invisible part of the electromagnetic spectrum where the wavelengths are shorter than red; heat is carried on infrared waves

innate behavior:

behavior that develops without influence from the environment

innervate:

supplied with nerves

inoculation:

introduction into surroundings that support growth

insectivore:

an animal that eats insects

insectivores:

animals that eat insects

instars:

the particular stage of an insect's or arthropod growth cycle between moltings

integument:

a natural outer covering

intercalation:

placing or inserting between

intraspecific:

involving members of the same species

introns:

a non-coding sequence of base pairs in a chromosome

invagination:

a stage in embryonic development where a cell layer buckles inward

invertebrates:

animals without a backbone

involuntary muscles:

muscles that are not controlled by will

isthmus:

a narrow strip of land

iteroparous:

animals with several or many reproductive events in their lives

k-selected species:

a species that natural selection has favored at the carrying capacity

k-selecting habitat:

habitat where there is a high cost of reproduction and is sensitive to the size of the offspring

key innovation:

a modification that permits an individual to exploit a resource in a new way

keystone species:

a species that controls the environment and thereby determines the other species that can survive in its presence

krill:

an order of crustaceans that serves as a food source for many fish, whales, and birds

lancelet:

a type of primitive vertebrate

lancelets:

primitive vertebrates

lateral inhibition:

phenomenon that amplifies the differences between light and dark

lateral line:

a row of pressure sensitive sensory cells in a line on both sides of a fish

learned behavior:

behavior that develops with influence from the environment

learning:

modifications to behavior motivated by experience

leukocytes:

a type of white blood cells that are part of the immune system

life history strategies:

methods used to overcome pressures for foraging and breeding

life history strategy:

methods used to overcome pressures for foraging and breeding

lipids:

fats and oils; organic compounds that are insoluble in water

logistic growth:

in a population showing exponential growth the individuals are not limited by food or disease

lungs:

sac-like, spongy organs where gas exchange takes place

lymphocytes:

white blood cell that completes development in bone marrow

macroparsite:

a parasite that is large in size

macroparasites:

parasites that are large in size

macrophages:

white blood cell that attacks anything foreign such as microbes

malleus:

the outermost of the inner ear bones

mantle:

the tissue in mollusks that drapes over the internal organs and may secrete the shell

mantles:

tissues in mollusks that drape over the internal organs and may secrete the shell

matrix:

the nonliving component of connective tissue

megachiroptera:

fruit bats and flying foxes

meiosis:

a specialized type of cell division that results in four sex cells or gametes that have half the genetic material of the parent cell

merozoite:

a motile stage in some parastic protozoa

mesenchyme:

the part of the mesoderm from which the connective tissues (bone, cartilage, and vascular system) arise

mesenteries:

the membrane that suspends many internal organs in the fluid-filled body cavity of vertebrates

mesoderm:

the middle layer of cells in embryonic tissue

messenger RNA:

a type of RNA that carries protein synthesis information from the DNA in to the nucleus to the ribosomes

metamorphose:

to change drastically from a larva to an adult

metamorphoses:

changes drastically from its larval form to its adult form

metamorphosing:

changing drastically from a larva to an adult

metamorphosis:

a drastic change from a larva to an adult

metazoan:

a subphylum of animals that have many cells, some of which are organized into tissues

metazoans:

a subphylum of animals that have many cells, some of which are organized into tissues

microchiroptera:

small bats that use echolocation

microparasite:

very small parasite

microparasites:

very small parasites

midoceanic ridge:

a long chain of mountains found on the ocean floor where tectonic plates are pulling apart

mitochondria:

organelles in eukaryotic cells that are the site of energy production for the cell

Mitochondrial DNA:

DNA found within the mitochondria that control protein development in the mitochondria

mitosis:

a type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells from a single parent cell

modalities:

to conform to a general pattern or belong to a particular group or category

modality:

to conform to a general pattern or belong to a particular group or category

molecular clock:

using the rate of mutation in DNA to determine when two genetic groups spilt off

molecular clocks:

using the rate of mutation in DNA to determine when two genetic groups spilt off

mollusks:

large phylum of invertebrates that have soft, unsegmented bodies and usually have a hard shell and a muscular foot; examples are clams, oysters, mussels, and octopuses

molted:

the shedding of an exoskeleton as an animal grows so that a new, large exoskeleton can be secreted

molting:

the shedding of an exoskeleton as an animal grows so that a new, large exoskeleton can be secreted

monoculture:

cultivation of a single crop over a large area

monocultures:

cultivation of single crops over large areas

monocytes:

the largest type of white blood cell

monophyletic:

a taxon that derived from a single ancestral species that gave rise to no other species in any other taxa

monotremes:

egg-laying mammals such as the platypus and echidna

monoxenous:

a life cycle in which only a single host is used

morphogenesis:

the development of body shape and organization during ontogeny

morphological:

the structure and form of an organism at any stage in its life history

morphological adaptation:

an adaptation in form and function for specific conditions

morphological adaptations:

adaptations in form and function for specific conditions

morphologies:

the forms and structures of an animal

mutation:

an abrupt change in the genes of an organism

mutations:

abrupt changes in the genes of an organism

mutualism:

ecological relationship beneficial to all involved organisms

mutualisms:

ecological relationships beneficial to all involved organisms

mutualistic relationship:

symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit

mutualistic relationships:

symbiotic relationships where both organisms benefit

mutualists:

a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit

myofibril:

longitudinal bundles of muscle fibers

myofilament:

any of the ultramicroscopic filaments, made up of actin and myosin, that are the structural units of a myofibril

myosin:

the most common protein in muscle cells, responsible for the elastic and contractile properties of muscle; it combines with actin to form actomyosin

natural selection:

the process by which organisms best suited to their environment are most likely to survive and reproduce

naturalist:

a scientist who studies nature and the relationships among the organisms

naturalists:

scientists who study nature and the relationships among the organisms

neuromuscular junction:

the point where a nerve and muscle connect

neuron:

a nerve cell

neurons:

nerve cells

neurotransmitters:

chemical messengers that are released from one nerve cell that cross the synapse and stimulate the next nerve cell

niche:

how an organism uses the biotic and abiotic resources of its environment

nocturnal:

active at night

notochord:

a rod of cartilage that runs down the back of Chordates

nucleotide:

the building block of a nucleic acid that is composed of a five-carbon sugar bonded to a nitrogen and a phosphate group

nucleotide chain:

a chain composed of five-carbon sugar groups that forms the basis for nucleic acid

nucleotides:

building blocks of a nucleic acid that are composed of a five-carbon sugar bonded to a nitrogen and a phosphate group

obligative mutualism:

an animal that must exist as part of a mutually beneficial relationship

obligatory parasites:

an animal that can only exist as a parasite

olfactory:

relates to the sense of smell

omnivorous:

eating both plants and animals

ontogeny:

the embryonic development of an organism

oocyst:

a cyst in sporozoans that contains developing sporozoites

operculum:

a flap covering an opening

operculum chamber:

space covered by a flap

organelles:

membrane-bound structures found within a cell

ornithology:

the study of birds

osmoregulatory functions:

controlling the water balance within an animal

osmoregulatory system:

system that regulates the water balance between an organism and its environment

osmosis:

the diffusion of water across a membrane

ossification:

deposition of calcium salts to form hardened tissue such as bone

osteoblasts:

potential bone forming cells found in cartilage

oviparous:

having offspring that hatch from eggs external to the body

ovoviparity:

having offspring that hatch from eggs retained in the mother's uterus

ovoviviparous:

having offspring that hatch from eggs retained in the mother's uterus

paleoanthropology:

the study of ancient humans

parasitology:

the study of parasites

parasympathetic division:

part of the nervous system that generally enhances body activities that gain and conserve energy such as digestion and heart rate

parental imprinting:

a process by which a gene's expression in a child depends on which parent donated it before development

passive diffusion:

the passing of molecules across a membrane from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration without any energy input

pathogens:

disease-causing agents such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses

pecking order:

the position of individuals of a group wherein multiple levels of dominance and submission occur

pectoral:

of, in, or on the chest

pedipapls:

one pair of short appendages near the mouth in some arthropods used for feeding and copulation

pericardial cavity:

the space within the membrane that surrounds the heart

peripheral nervous system:

the sensory and motor nerves that connect to the central nervous system

peritoneum:

the thin membrane that lines the abdomen and covers the organs in it

pesticide:

any substance that controls the spread of harmful or destructive organisms

pesticides:

substances that control the spread of harmful or destructive organisms

pH:

a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is by measuring the concentration of hydrogen ions

phalanges:

bones of the fingers and toes

pharyngeal:

having to do with the tube that connects the stomach and the esophagus

phenotype:

physical and physiological traits of an animal

phenotypes:

the physical and physiological traits of an animal

phenotypic:

describes the physical and physiological traits of an animal

phenotypic trait:

physical and physiological variations within a population

phenotypic variation:

differences in physical and physiological traits within a population

pheromones:

small, volatile chemicals that act as signals between animals that influence physiology or behavior

phlogenetic:

relating to the evolutionary history

phospholipid:

molecules that make up double layer membranes; one end of the molecule attracts water while the other end repels water

photoreceptors:

specialized cells that detect the presence or absence of light

photosynthesis:

the combination of chemical compounds in the presence of sunlight

photosynthesizing autotrophs:

animals that produce their own food by converting sunlight to food

phyla:

broad, principle divisions of a kingdom

phylogenetic:

relating to the evolutionary history of species or group of related species

phylogeny:

the evolutionary history of a species or group of related species

physiological:

relating to the basic activities that occur in the cells and tissues of an animal

physiology:

the study of the normal function of living things or their parts

placenta:

the structure through which a fetus obtains nutrients and oxygen from its mother while in the uterus

placental:

having a structure through which a fetus obtains nutrients and oxygen from its mother while in the uterus

placoid scale:

a scale composed of three layers and a pulp cavity

placoid scales:

scales composed of three layers and a pulp cavity

plankton:

microscopic organisms that float or swim weakly near the surface of ponds, lakes, and oceans

plate tectonics:

the theory that Earth's surface is divided into plates that move

platelet:

cell fragment in plasma that aids clotting

platelets:

cell fragments in plasma that aid in clotting

pleural cavity:

the space where the lungs are found

plumose:

having feathers

pluripotent:

a cell in bone marrow that gives rise to any other type of cell

poaching:

hunting game outside of hunting season or by using illegal means

poikilothermic:

an animal that cannot regulate its internal temperature; also called cold blooded

polymer:

a compound made up of many identical smaller compounds linked together

polymerase:

an enzyme that links together nucleotides to form nucleic acid

polymerases:

enzymes that link together nucleotides to form nucleic acid

polymodal:

having many different modes or ways

polymorphic:

referring to a population with two or more distinct forms present

polymorphism:

having two or more distinct forms in the same population

polymorphisms:

having two or more distinct forms in the same population

polyploid:

having three or more sets of chromosomes

polysaccharide:

a class of carbohydrates that break down into two or more single sugars

polysaccharides:

carbohydrates that break down into two or more single sugars

population:

a group of individuals of one species that live in the same geographic area

population density:

the number of individuals of one species that live in a given area

population dynamics:

changes in a population brought about by changes in resources or other factors

population parameters:

a quantity that is constant for a particular distribution of a population but varies for the other distrubutions

populations:

groups of individuals of one species that live in the same geographic area

posterior:

behind or the back

precursor:

a substance that gives rise to a useful substance

prehensile:

adapted for siezing, grasping, or holding on

primer:

short preexisting polynucleotide chain to which new deoxyribonucleotides can be added by DNA polymerase

producers:

organisms which make up the level of an ecosystem that all other organisms ultimately depend on; usually these are plants

progeny:

offspring

prokaryota:

a group of organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles

prokaryotes:

single-celled organisms that lack a true cell nucleus

prokaryotic endosymbionts:

single-celled organisms that lack a true cell nucleus that live inside of other cells

proprioceptors:

sense organs that receive signals from within the body

protostome:

animal in which the initial depression that starts during gastrulation becomes the mouth

protostomes:

animals in which the initial depression that starts during gastrulation becomes the mouth

protozoa:

a phylum of single-celled eukaryotes

protozoan:

a member of the phylum of single-celled organisms

pseudocoelom:

a body cavity that is not entirely surrounded by mesoderm

pseudocoelomates:

animals with a body cavity that is not entirely surrounded by mesoderm

pterylae:

feather tracks

quadrupedal:

describes an animal with four legs

quadrupeds:

animals with four legs

quinine:

substance used to treat malaria

r-selected species:

a species that shows the following characteristics: short lifespan; early reproduction; low biomass; and the potential to produce large numbers of usually small offspring in a short period of time

r-selecting habitat:

the concept where a high reproductive rate is the chief determinant of life history

radially symmetric:

wheel-like symmetry in which body parts radiate out from a central point

radially symmetrical:

describes an animal that features a wheel-like symmetry in which its body parts radiate out from a central point

recessive:

a hidden trait that is masked by a dominant trait

recombinant DNA:

DNA that is formed when a fragment of DNA is incorporated into the DNA of a plasmid or virus

regeneration:

regrowing body parts that are lost due to injury

relative abundance:

an estimate of population over an area

rennin:

an enzyme used in coagulating cheese; is obtained from milk-fed calves

resorbed:

absorption of materials already in the body

resorption:

absorbing materials that are already in the body

respiratory pigments:

any of the various proteins that carry oxygen

restriction enzymes:

bacterial proteins that cut DNA at specific points in the nucleotide sequence

retina:

a layer of rods and cones that line the inner surface of the eye

riparian:

habitats in rivers and streams

ruminants:

plant-eating animals with a multicompartment stomach such as cows and sheep

sagital plane:

a plane that runs long-ways through the body

salamanders:

four-legged amphibians with elongated bodies

sarcomere:

one of the segments into which a fibril of striated muscle is divided by thin dark bands

scavengers:

animals that feed on the remains of animals it did not kill

schizocoelous:

the mesoderm originates from existing cell layers when the cells migrate

scleroblasts:

cells that give rise to mineralized connective tissue

sedimentary rock:

rock that forms when sediments are compacted and cemented together

semelparous:

animals that only breed once and then die

serial homology:

a rhythmic repetition

sessile:

not mobile, attached

sexual reproduction:

a reproduction method where two parents give rise to an offspring with a different genetic makeup from either parent

sexual selection:

selection based on secondary sex characteristics that leads to greater sexual dimorphorphism or differences between the sexes

sexual size dimorphism:

a noticeable difference in size between the sexes

shoals:

shallow waters

single-lens eyes:

an eye that has a single lens for focusing the image

skeletal muscle:

muscle attached to the bones and responsible for movement

smooth muscle:

muscles of internal organs which is not under conscious control

somatic:

having to do with the body

somatic nervous system:

part of the nervous system that controls the voluntary movement of skeletal muscles

somatosensory information:

sensory information from different parts of the body except for the eyesm tongue, ears, and other primary sense organs

somites:

a block of mesoderm along each side of a chordate embryo

sonar:

the bouncing of sound off distant objects as a method of navigation or finding food

spinal cord:

thick, whitish bundle of nerve tissue that extends from the base of the brain to the body

splicing:

spliting

spongocoel:

the central cavity in a sponge

sporozoa:

a group of parasitic protozoa

sporozoans:

parasitic protozoans

sporozoite:

an infective stage in the life cycle of sporozoans

stapes:

innermost of the three bones found in the inner ear

stimuli:

anything that excites the body or part of the body to produce a specific response

stimulus:

anything that excites the body or part of the body to produce a specific response

strata:

layers of sedimentary rock consisting of approximately the same kinds of material

striated muscle:

a type of muscle with fibers of cross bands usually contracted by voluntary action

striated muscles:

muscles with fibers of cross bands usually contracted by voluntary actions

superposition:

the order in which sedimentary layers are found with the youngest being on top

symbiosis:

any prolonged association or living together of two or more organisms of different species

symbiotic relationship:

close, long-term relationship where two species live together in direct contact

symbiotic relationships:

close, long-term relationships where two species live together in direct contact

symmetrical:

a balance in body proportions

synapse:

the space between nerve cells across which impulses are chemically transmitted

systematic:

study of the diversity of life

tactile:

the sense of touch

tapetum:

a reflective layer in the eye of nocturnal animals

taxa:

named taxonomic units at any given level

taxon:

named taxonomic unit at any given level

taxonomy:

the science of classifying living organisms

terraria:

a small enclosure or closed container in which selected living plants and sometimes small land animals, such as turtles and lizards, are kept and observed

terrariums:

small enclosures or closed containers in which selected living plants and sometimes small land animals, such as turtles and lizards, are kept and observed

terrestrial:

living on land

thoracic:

the chest area

thromboplastin:

a protein found in blood and tissues that promotes the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin

torpid:

a hibernation strategy where the body temperature drops in relation to the external temperature

trachea:

the tube in air-breathing vertebrates that extends from the larynx to the bronchi

transcription:

process where enzymes are used to make an RNA copy of a strand of DNA

transgenic:

an organism that contains genes from another species

transgenic organism:

an organism that contains genes from another species

translation:

process where the order of bases in messenger RNA codes for the order of amino acids in a protein

transverse plane:

a plane perpendicular to the body

trilobites:

an extinct class of arthropods

triploblasts:

having three germ layers; ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm

trophic level:

the division of species in an ecosystem by their main source of nutrition

trophic levels:

divisions of species in an ecosystem by their main source of nutrition

ungulates:

animals with hooves

urea:

soluble form of nitrogenous waste excreted by many different types of animals

urethra:

a tube that releases urine from the body

uric acid:

insoluble form of nitrogenous waste excreted by many different types of animals

ventral:

the belly surface of an animal with bilateral symmetry

vertebrates:

animals with a backbone

viviparity:

having young born alive after being nourished by a placenta between the mother and offspring

viviparous:

having young born alive after being nourished by a placenta between the mother and offspring

vocalization:

the sounds used for communications

voluntary muscles:

a type of muscle with fibers of cross bands usually contracted by voluntary action

wavelength:

distance between the peaks or crests of waves

zooplankton:

small animals who float or weakly move through the water

zygote:

a fertilized egg

zygotes:

fertilized eggs

zymogens:

inactive building-block of an enzyme