biol+2+adaptations+glossary

 This section is for you all to keep an up to date glossary of the relevant terminology we cover in this area of study. It is important that you use your own words to explain the meaning of any terms.

biol 2 ecosystems glossary

** Adaptation ** : An inherited characteristic that increases the likelihood of survival and reproduction if an individual organism. E.g. camouflage - **Structural: **Eg elephant trunk, sharp claws on a wombat, giraffes long neck **- Physiological : **Eg. counter current exchange in penguins feet, thermoregulation, immunity to a poison **- Behavioral: **Eg. penguins swimming in groups, penguins huddling, amount of parental care **<span style="color: rgb(247, 38, 38)">Cambium: **<span style="color: rgb(247, 38, 38)">   A region of rapidly dividing cells that produces secondary growth in woody plants ** Cuticle: ** A layer of non-cellular material on the outer surface of the plant or animal, impermeable to water. ** Epicormic buds: ** Bud that lies under the bark of stem or root of plant, which are able to sprout and grow after damage to the plant. E.g. Fire ** Halophyte: ** A plant that is adapted to salty conditions and which has special mechanisms for handling excess salt. ** Hibernation: ** In animals, a state of reduced metabolism and controlled lowering of body temperature. Hibernation reduces the amount of energy required at a time when little food is available e.g. during cold winter climates. ** Humus: ** organic matter formed from the breakdown of dead plants and animals. (Makes a dark layer of topsoil) ** Hydrophyte: ** is an aquatic vascular plant that has //few// stomata and a large intercellular air space. ** Lignotuber: ** A swelling at the base of a stem that is a source of dormant buds; aids regeneration after fire. E.g. Eucalyptus ** Limiting Factor: ** A condition that limits a process or he abundance and distribution of an organism. E.g. a shortage of light affects photosynthesis. ** Mycorrhiza: ** symbiotic relationship between a soil fungus and a plant (host). The fungus is closely associated with the plants roots (a form of mutualism) ** pH level :** Acidity or Alkalinity. Measured on a scale from 0 (most acid) to 14 (most alkaline). Neutral acidity is 7. ** Pneumatophores: ** Aerial root in mangroves that increases the surface area exposed to the air at a low tide for oxygen uptake. ** Torpor: ** condition when a vertebrate animal allows its body temperature to drop and becomes inactive for a period of time. ** Xerophyte: ** A plant that is adapted to arid conditions. E.g. a cactus <span style="color: rgb(245, 71, 237)">Abiotic: Physical surroundings <span style="color: rgb(245, 71, 237)">Biotic: Biological factors eg. living organisms <span style="color: rgb(245, 71, 237)">Tolerance Range: The range of conditions that an organism can survive. <span style="color: rgb(245, 71, 237)">Hormone: A chemical produced by cells in part of body and is then transported around body until it reaches the site where it then affects the cell. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 220)">Geotropism : The response of plants to gravity

<span style="color: rgb(0, 100, 255)"> Central nervous system (CNS): consists of the brain and spinal cord <span style="color: rgb(30, 130, 241)"><span style="color: rgb(0, 118, 255)"><span style="color: rgb(56, 171, 245)"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"> Per<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">ipheral nervous system (PNS ):   sensory and motor neurons which detect and respond to things <span style="color: rgb(10, 98, 245)"> Neuron: nerve cell, the functional unit <span style="color: rgb(21, 109, 224)"> Motor neuron: efferent (has an effect), sent from the CNS <span style="color: rgb(51, 137, 240)"> Sensory neuron: afferent (causes an affect), brings information to the CNS. Eg, skin <span style="color: rgb(46, 136, 245)"> Inter connecting neuron : in the CNS <span style="color: rgb(52, 146, 249)"> Stimulus response model: An external stimulus that acts upon an organism and the organisms response that follows. - Follows a model; stimulus -- receptor -- hormone -- effector -- response -- result Eg. Low blood sugar - <span style="color: rgb(42, 28, 242)">stimulus Alpha cells in pancreas detect change -<span style="color: rgb(32, 62, 238)"> receptor Increased release of glucagon -<span style="color: rgb(56, 68, 240)"> hormone Liver/muscle cells - <span style="color: rgb(44, 21, 239)">effector Convert glycogen into glucose and release into blood -<span style="color: rgb(18, 14, 216)"> response Blood sugar levels rise - <span style="color: rgb(61, 40, 246)">result <span style="color: rgb(30, 117, 246)">Endocrine system: system of glands that secrete hormones into the circulatory system <span style="color: rgb(58, 136, 248)"> Glands: produce and release hormones eg testes, ovaries, thyroid <span style="color: rgb(12, 140, 237)"> Hormones: chemical messenger that have an effect on some part of the body and travel via blood until they reach their specific target area. Eg insulin, estrogen <span style="color: rgb(14, 115, 241)"> Endotherm: mammals and birds that maintain a constant internal temperature via the metabolism, irrespective of the temperature of the external environment <span style="color: rgb(17, 127, 228)"> Ecotherm: reptiles, amphibians etc. Unable to increase their temperature above that of the external environment, therefore temperature varies according to the environment. <span style="color: rgb(40, 134, 246)">Counter current exchange : physiological adaptation that minimizes heat loss

//<span style="color: rgb(19, 22, 241)">Woohoo! Lisaa you finally made a contribution. To the rest of you there are a whole stack of terms relating to homeostasis and negative feedback responses that are relevant to this section.VM

Now this is more like it, thx for all your additions RN. VM //