Standard Grade Biology
Glossary
The Biosphere
Word
Meaning
Abiotic
A non-living feature of the environment
Algal bloom
Rapid growth of algae
Bacteria
Microscopic organism
Biomass
Mass of living material
Biotic
A living part of the environment
Birth rate
Rate at which new individuals are added to the population
Branched key
Identification key using lines or pathways
Carnivore
A meat eating organism
Community
All the organisms living in the same area
Competition
Organisms sharing the same resources
Conservation
Controlled use of natural resources
Death rate
Rate at which individuals are removed from the population
Decomposers
Organisms which break down plant and animal remains
Ecosystem
All of the habitats and the communities within an area
Fertiliser
Nutrients used to improve plant growth
Food Chain
Sequence of organisms linked by energy flow
Food web
A series of interconnected food chains
Fossil fuel
Fuel produced from the ancient remains of plants and animals
Growth curve
Curve showing the changes in population size over time
Habitat
The place where an organisms lives
Herbivore
An animal which feeds on plants
Indicator species
Organism whose presence can be used to monitor pollution
Nitrates
Nitrogen compound essential for plant growth
Word
Meaning
Nutrient cycle
Circulation of nutrients between plants, animals ant their
environment
Omnivore
An animal which feeds on plants and animals
Paired statement key
Identification key based on pairs of statements/questions
pH
Measure of how acidic or alkaline a solution is
Photosynthesis
Conversion of light energy into chemical energy
Pitfall trap
Technique used to sample insect population
Pollution
Introduction of harmful substances into the environment
Population
The number of one particular species in an area
Predator
An animal which hunts and feeds on other animals
Primary consumer
Herbivore feeding on plants in a food chain
Producer
A green plant
Pyramid of biomass
Pyramid of numbers
Diagram showing the mass of living matter at each stage in a
food chain
Diagram showing the number of living organisms at each stage
in a food chain
Quadrat
Fixed area used for sampling
Random sampling
Taking samples without a fixed pattern
Respiration
Breakdown of carbohydrate to release energy
Secondary consumer
An animal which feeds on a primary consumer in a food chain