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Adrenal glands Two small glands, one located near the upper part of each kidney, that function in the endocrine system. The glands secrete the hormone adrenaline as well as other important hormones.
,. Abiotic Describes the non-living parts of an ecosystem
Antennae A pair of long, thin sensory appendages on the heads of insects, crustaceans and some other arthropods.
Aquatic ecosystem A water-based ecosystem
Algal bloom The sudden increase in the number of algae in a water way. Algal blooms can release toxins that can cause sickness if consumed.
Antigen
Any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it. An antigen may be a foreign substance from the environment, such as chemicals, bacteria, viruses or pollen.
Arthropod An invertebrate animal of the large phylum Arthropoda, such as an insect, spider, or crustacean. They are characterised by jointed limbs, segmented body and an exoskeleton made of the chemical chitin.
Alga, algae (plural) A single or multicellular organism that has no roots, stems or leaves and is often found in water.
Human Body Systems
Arid Region characterized by a severe lack of available water, to the extent of hindering or preventing the growth and development of plant and animal life.
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Bacterium, bacteria (plural)
Microscopic single-celled organism that has no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.
Balance point (of a system)
Point in which a system is said to be in balance or at a steady state
Bio-accumulation
The accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, or other organic chemicals in an organism. Also called biomagnification.
Biodiversity
The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
Biodiversity
The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
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Bio-indicator species Any biological species that defines a trait or characteristic of the environment (e.g. a species may indicate an environmental condition such as pollution). Indicator species can be among the most sensitive species in a region, and sometimes act as an early warning to monitoring biologists.
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Biological control Control of a pest by the introduction of a natural enemy or predator.
Biotic
Describes the living parts of an ecosystem.
Bone marrow
The flexible tissue found in the interior of bones. A number of cells are formed in bone marrow, including red blood cells, platelets and most white blood cells. Bone marrow is also a key component of the lymphatic system, producing the lymphocytes that support the body's immune system.
Brain
Control centre of the body and part of the central nervous system
Breathing rate
Number of breaths taken within a set amount of time, typically 60 seconds. Also respiratory rate.
Carbon store
Natural or artificial accumulation and storage of carbon-containing chemical compounds for an indefinite period. Examples include carbon accumulating and being stored in plants via photosynthesis.
Carnivore
An animal that eats other animals.
Carnivorous plant
Plants adapted to attract, capture and digest primarily insects, but also other small animals.
Cell
The smallest unit of living things.
Chemosynthetic bacteria
Bacteria that uses chemicals to make food.
Circulatory system
Body system that includes the heart, blood vessels, blood, lymph and the lymphatic vessels and glands. It works as a transport and delivery system and is responsible for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all cells, as well as the removal of carbon dioxide and waste products.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Part of the nervous system made up of the brain and spinal cord; necessary for thought processes.
Community of organisms
Group of interdependent organisms of different species growing or living together in a specified location (habitat)
Competition
The process where living things compete for the same resources in the environment
Compound eye
An eye that consists of many visual units, each having its own lens. Insects and crustaceans have compound eyes.
Concept map
Diagram showing the relationships between concepts. It helps to organise and represent knowledge.
Contamination
The introduction of harmful pollutants or chemicals into a natural environment.
Consumer
An organism that relies entirely on other organisms for its food.
Data
Information such as observations and measurements.
Cuticle
Tough but flexible outer covering of an organism, or parts of an organism.
Cyanobacteria
Blue-green bacteria also called blue-green algae.
Dead zone
Area of water in oceans or large lakes where the oxygen concentration is so low that little or no aquatic life can survive.
Decomposer
Organisms such as bacteria and fungi that break down the matter of dead organisms so it can be returned to the soil, air and water.
Decomposer
Organisms such as bacteria and fungi that break down the matter of dead organisms so it can be returned to the soil, air and water.
Decomposition
Process in which matter from dead organisms is broken down. Also called rotting.
Denitrification
Process where nitrates are broken down into atmospheric nitrogen gas.
Denitrifying bacteria
Bacteria in the soil that break down nitrates into nitrogen gas that is released into the atmosphere.
Desert
Landscape or region with extremely low rainfall, less than enough to support the growth of most plants .
Diatom
Group of microscopic single-celled phytoplankton with the chemical silica in their cell walls.
Digestive system
Body system that breaks down and absorbs food.
Disease
Abnormal condition negatively affecting the body of an organism.
Dissolved oxygen
Amount of free (usable) oxygen in water. Usually measured in parts per million.
Distilled water
Water that has many of its impurities (e.g. dissolved salts and particles) removed through distillation. Distillation involves boiling the water and then condensing the steam into a clean container.
Dynamic balance (in a system)
Situation of continual fluctuations around a balance point in a system.
Ecdysone
Hormone that controls moulting in insects and other arthropods
Behaviour The action or reaction of something (e.g. an organism, under specified circumstances).
Antibody A protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances,
called antigens. Each type of antibody is unique and defends the body against one specific type of antigen.
Ecosystems
Ecdysone
Hormone that controls moulting in insects and other arthropods
Echolocation
Location of objects by reflected sound. A process seen in organisms such as dolphins and bats.
Ecosystem
All interrelated living and non-living components and the physical conditions of a place.
Effector organ
Organ that responds to a stimulus.
Endangered
A species is endangered when a very small population is left alive. There is a risk the species will become extinct.
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