Biology Definitions UNIT TEST

Question 1

Define Ecology

Answer 1

The study of the relationships between organisms and their environment, including both biotic and abiotic factors.

Question 2

Define Biotic

Answer 2

Living components of an ecosystem (e.g., plants, animals, bacteria).

Question 3

Define Biodiversity

Answer 3

The number and variety of species in a particular region or ecosystem.

Question 4

Define Hydrosphere

Answer 4

All the water on Earth including lakes, oceans, rivers, and groundwater.

Question 5

Define Consumer

Answer 5

An organism that gets its energy by feeding on other organisms.

Question 6

Define Abiotic

Answer 6

Non-living components of an ecosystem (e.g., sunlight, temperature, water).

Question 7

Define Photosynthesis

Answer 7

The process where plants convert solar energy, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen.

Question 8

Define Lithosphere

Answer 8

The solid outer layer of Earth, including the crust and upper mantle.

Question 9

Define Producer

Answer 9

An organism that makes its own food through photosynthesis (e.g., green plants).

Question 10

Define Biosphere

Answer 10

The regions of Earth where living organisms exist.

Question 11

Define Food Chain

Answer 11

A linear sequence showing how energy is transferred from one organism to another.

Question 12

Define Atmosphere

Answer 12

The layer of gases surrounding Earth.

Question 13

Define Carnivore

Answer 13

An animal that eats other animals.

Question 14

Define Decomposer

Answer 14

Organisms like fungi and bacteria that break down dead material.

Question 15

Define Transpiration

Answer 15

The process by which moisture is carried from roots to small pores on leaves, where it changes to vapor and is released to the atmosphere.

Question 16

Define Terrestrial Ecosystem

Answer 16

Land-based ecosystems (e.g., forest, desert).

Question 17

Define Omnivore

Answer 17

An animal that eats both plants and animals.

Question 18

Define Scavenger

Answer 18

An organism that feeds on the remains of dead animals.

Question 19

Define Eutrophication

Answer 19

The process where nutrient levels increase in aquatic ecosystems, leading to algal blooms and oxygen depletion.

Question 20

Define Aquatic Ecosystem

Answer 20

Water-based ecosystems (e.g., ponds, oceans).

Question 21

Define Autotroph

Answer 21

An organism that produces its own food from inorganic substances.

Question 22

Define Heterotroph

Answer 22

An organism that consumes other organisms to obtain energy.

Question 23

Define Invasive Species

Answer 23

Species that are introduced to a new environment and negatively impact native species.

Question 24

Define Cellular Respiration

Answer 24

The process of breaking down glucose in the presence of oxygen to release energy.

Question 25

Define Herbivore

Answer 25

An animal that eats only plants.

Question 26

Define Population

Answer 26

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area.

Question 27

Define Limiting Factors

Answer 27

Conditions that restrict the growth or distribution of a population.

Question 28

Define Carrying Capacity

Answer 28

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustain over time.

Question 29

Define Habitat

Answer 29

The physical environment in which a species lives.

Question 30

Define Community

Answer 30

All the different populations that live together in an area.

Question 31

Define Evaporation

Answer 31

The process of liquid water changing into water vapor.

Question 32

Define Dominant Species

Answer 32

The most abundant species in an ecosystem that has the largest biomass.

Question 33

Define Niche

Answer 33

The role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem.

Question 34

Define Ecosystem

Answer 34

All the living and non-living things interacting in a specific area.

Question 35

Define Bioaccumulation

Answer 35

The buildup of substances, like pesticides, in an organism over time.

Question 36

Define Stewardship

Answer 36

The responsible management and care for the environment and natural resources.

Question 37

Define Food Web

Answer 37

A network of interconnected food chains showing how energy flows in an ecosystem.

Question 38

Define Biomagnification

Answer 38

The increase in concentration of toxins as they move up trophic levels.

Question 39

Define Reforestation

Answer 39

The process of replanting trees in areas where forests have been cut down.

Question 40

Define Keystone Species

Answer 40

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem.

Question 41

Define Symbiosis

Answer 41

A close and long-term biological interaction between two different organisms.

Question 42

Define Bioaugmentation

Answer 42

The use of organisms to add nutrients to degraded environments.

Question 43

Define Restoration

Answer 43

The process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded or destroyed.

Question 44

Define Bioremediation

Answer 44

The use of living organisms to clean up polluted environments.

Question 45

Define Sustainability

Answer 45

The ability to maintain ecological processes over time without depleting resources.

Question 46

Define Mutualism

Answer 46

Both species benefit (e.g., bees pollinating flowers).

Question 47

Define Parasitism

Answer 47

One benefits, the other is harmed (e.g., tapeworm in a dog).

Question 48

Define Predation

Answer 48

One organism hunts another (e.g., fox eating a rabbit).

Question 49

Define Competition

Answer 49

Organisms compete for the same resource (e.g., birds competing for food).

Question 50

Define Bioaccumulation

Answer 50

Build-up of toxins in an organism over time.

Question 51

Define Biomagnification

Answer 51

Increase in toxin concentration at higher trophic levels.

Question 52

Define Keystone Species

Answer 52

A species that has a large impact on the ecosystem (e.g., sea otters).

Question 53

Define Dominant Species

Answer 53

Most abundant in biomass (e.g., spruce trees in a forest).

Question 54

What are Ecosystem Engineers

Answer 54

Species that change the environment (e.g., beavers build dams).

Question 55

Define Acid Precipitation

Answer 55

Precipitation that is acidic due to sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides reacting with water in the atmosphere.