Science 10 Vocab Master List

Question 1

Biomagnification

Answer 1

The process in which chemicals not only accumulate but become more concentrated at each trophic level of the food pyramid

Question 2

Key stone species

Answer 2

Species (salmon) that can greatly affect population numbers and the health of an ecosystem

Question 3

Heavy metals

Answer 3

Metallic element with a high density that are toxic to organisms at low concentration

Question 4

Bioaccumulation

Answer 4

The gradual build up of synthetic and organic chemicals chemicals in living organisms

Question 5

Ecological succession

Answer 5

Changes that take place over time in types of organisms that live in a area.

Question 6

Pioneer species

Answer 6

The first organisms to populate, or repopulate an area after a disturbance in the ecosystem

Ex. Lichen, moss, bacteria, or algae

Question 7

Primary succession

Answer 7

The development of new life in areas where no organisms or soil previously existed. The first organism are usually lichen and bacteria delivered by bird poop!

Question 8

Secondary succession

Answer 8

The REINTRODUCTION of life after a disturbance to an area that already has soil and was once the home of living organisms.

Question 9

Climate community

Answer 9

A mature community /ecosystem/biome such as boreal or grass lands that change slowly though constant over time

Question 10

Natural selection

Answer 10

The process by which, over time the best adapted members of a species survive and reproduce. This process makes gradual change in species possible.

Question 11

Adaptive radiation

Answer 11

The development of a number of new species from a common ancestor. The new species are adapted to inhabit different niches.

Question 12

Flooding

Answer 12

Soil erosion, pollution, disease from toxic bacteria or untreated sewage.

Question 13

Drought

Answer 13

Plants and animals die due to lack of water

Question 14

Tsunamis

Answer 14

Huge rapidly moving ocean waves destroys habitats and salt water is carried onto the shore which change soil chemistry

Question 15

Hurricane

Answer 15

Destroys large plants and disrupt animal habitats

Question 16

Forest fire

Answer 16

Destroy vegetation and habitats returns nutrients to the soil

Question 17

Volcanoes

Answer 17

Ash clouds can affect sun light and destroy all organic matter it comes in contact with. Toxic ash can affect ecosystem.

Question 18

Insect infestation

Answer 18

Often results in succession in forest because insects destroy older trees.

Question 19

Invasive species

Answer 19

Introduced or foreign species that are natural to an ecosystem. They often dont have predators

Question 20

Compotion

Answer 20

Invasive species can often reproduce rapidly often aggressive lack natural predators

Question 21

Predation

Answer 21

If you introduce a new predator, prey species do not have the adaptations to defend against it

Question 22

Disease and parasites

Answer 22

Parasites or diseases causing viruses and bacteria can weaken immune system of native plants and animals

Question 23

Habitat alteration

Answer 23

Introduced invasive species can make a natural habitat unsuitable for native species by changing his structure or composition

Question 24

Traditional ecological knowledge

Answer 24

Ecological information passed down from generation to generation that reflects human experiences with native gained over centuries

Question 25

Proton

Answer 25

Subatmoic particals that have a 1+ positive charge

Question 26

Neutrons

Answer 26

Subatomic particles that do not have a electric charge

Question 27

Electrons

Answer 27

Subatomic particles that have a 1- electric charge

Question 28

Period

Answer 28

Each row of elements in the periodic table

Question 29

Ions

Answer 29

Electrically charged particles created when atoms gain or lose electrons

Question 30

Bohrs diagram

Answer 30

A diagram that shows the arrangement of an elements subatomic particles and the number of electrons in each shell surrounding the nucleus of an atom

Question 31

Stable octet

Answer 31

The arrangement of eight electrons in the outermost shell of an atom

Question 32

Niche

Answer 32

The special role an organism plays in an ecosystem, including the way in which contributes to and fits into its environment

Question 33

Mimicry

Answer 33

When an organism copies another in attempts to gain benefits

Question 34

Soil compaction

Answer 34

The squeezing together of soil particles so that the air spaces between them are reduced

Question 35

Biomass

Answer 35

The total mass of living plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria in a given area

Question 36

Carbon cycle

Answer 36

The nutrient cycle in which carbon is moved throuh the biosphere

Question 37

Carbonate

Answer 37

A combination ion of carbon and oxygen that is dissolved in ocean water

Question 38

Cellular respiration

Answer 38

The process in which both plants and animals released carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere

Question 39

Soil degradation

Answer 39

The damage to soil. For example it is the result of deforestation when topsoil is removed

Question 40

Contamination

Answer 40

The introduction of chemicals, toxins, wastes, or micro organism into the environment that are harmful to the ecosystem

Question 43

Biodegration

Answer 43

The breaking down of dead organisms by living organisms such as bacteria

Question 44

Consumer

Answer 44

An organism that eats other organisms

Question 47

Decomposer

Answer 47

Organisms that break down waste and dead organisms

Question 49

Land use

Answer 49

The way humans use land (agriculture industry, mining, forestry, urbanization)

Question 49

Resources

Answer 49

The way we use natural resources

Question 49

Exploitation

Answer 49

The way we extract natural resources and use them to our advantage

Question 49

Overexploitation

Answer 49

The use or extraction of resources until it is used up completely or used in a very damaging way

Question 49

Sustainability

Answer 49

The ability of an ecosystem to sustain ecological process and mountain biodiversity overtime. It means using natural resources in a way that maintains an ecosystem health now and for future generations.

Question 49

Habitat loss

Answer 49

When habitats gets destroyed by human activity Exmp. Building cities or big farms

Question 49

Soil compaction

Answer 49

The squeezing together of soil particles so that the air spaces between them are reduced

Question 49

Overexploitation

Answer 49

The use or extraction of a resource until it is depleted

Question 51

Decomposition

Answer 51

Breaking down organic wastes and dead organism

Question 52

Detrivores

Answer 52

Consumers that feed at every tropic level. Obtaining their energy of off dead organic matter

Question 53

Energy flow

Answer 53

The flow of energy from an ecosystem to an organism and from one organism to another.

Question 54

Food chain

Answer 54

A model that shows the flow of energy from plant to animal and from animal to animal

Question 55

Food pyramid

Answer 55

A model that that shows the loss of energy from one tropic level to another.

Question 56

Food web

Answer 56

A model of the feeling relationship within an ecosystem

Question 57

Omnivores

Answer 57

Consumer that eat both plants and animals

Question 58

Primary consumer

Answer 58

Organism in the second tropic level examples are grasshoppers zooplankton.

Question 59

Habitat fragmentation

Answer 59

The division of habitat into small isolated pieces