Biodiversity in the Ocean

Science

Number and variety of species living in an area

Biodiversity

Number and variety of species living in an area. biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of all living organisms in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

All the organisms of the same species living in the same area

Population

All the organisms of the same species living in the same area. Population. In Science, population refers to a group of the same species living together in one area.

The variety of inheritable characteristics or genes in an interbreeding population

Genetic diversity

The variety of inheritable characteristics or genes in an interbreeding population. Genetic diversity. Genetic diversity is the range of different genes within a species, which helps populations adapt and survive environmental changes.

Tiny microscopic organisms that float or drift in water

Plankton

Tiny microscopic organisms that float or drift in water. Plankton are small organisms in water that are essential for the food chain and produce much of the Earth's oxygen.

A marine organism that can actively swim, as opposed to those moved by the current

Nekton

A marine organism that can actively swim, as opposed to those moved by the current. Nekton are animals like fish and squid that can swim independently of water currents.

A cell that has a membrane and a nucleus

Eukaryote

A cell that has a membrane and a nucleus. Eukaryote. A eukaryote is an organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other structures enclosed within membranes.

A cell without a nucleus and other organelles, like bacteria

Prokaryote

A cell without a nucleus and other organelles, like bacteria. Prokaryote. A prokaryote is a simple, single-celled organism, such as bacteria, that lacks a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

An organism made of a single cell

Unicellular

An organism made of a single cell. Unicellular. It means the organism consists of only one cell that performs all life functions.

An organism that is made up of many cells, like all animals, plants and fungi

Multicellular

An organism that is made up of many cells, like all animals, plants, and fungi. Multicellular means an organism has multiple cells working together to perform life functions.

The scientific classification and naming of organisms

Taxonomy

The scientific classification and naming of organisms. Taxonomy. Taxonomy is the science of categorizing and naming living things to show how they're related.

Animal behavior where some individuals have higher social rank and more privileges

Dominance hierarchy

Animal behavior where some individuals have higher social rank and more privileges. Dominance hierarchy. In science, dominance hierarchy refers to a social structure in which individuals are ranked according to their level of authority and access to resources.

Animal behavior where some individuals have higher social rank and more privileges

Dominance hierarchy

Animal behavior where some individuals have higher social rank and more privileges

The highest taxonomic group, it is divided into kingdoms

Domain

The highest taxonomic group, it is divided into kingdoms. Domain. In Science, a domain is the broadest category in the biological classification system, grouping organisms based on fundamental differences like cell structure.

The two-word (genus and species) naming system for organisms, like homo sapiens

Binomial nomenclature

The two-word genus and species naming system for organisms, like homo sapiens, is called binomial nomenclature. Binomial nomenclature is a method used to give each species a unique, universally accepted scientific name.

An animal without a backbone

Invertebrate

An animal without a backbone. invertebrate. Invertebrates are animals that do not have a spine.

When a male reproductive cell (sperm) joins with a female reproductive cell (egg)

Fertilization

When a male reproductive cell sperm joins with a female reproductive cell egg, fertilization occurs. Fertilization is the process where the sperm and egg combine to form a new cell, starting the development of a new organism.

A very small organism that can only be seen with a microscope, like bacteria

Microorganism

A very small organism that can only be seen with a microscope, like bacteria, is a microorganism. A microorganism is a tiny living thing that can be found everywhere, and it includes bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

A domain of unicellular prokaryotes with cell walls

Bacteria

A domain of unicellular prokaryotes with cell walls. Bacteria. Bacteria are tiny living organisms found almost everywhere, which can be helpful or cause diseases.

A domain of unicellular prokaryotes with cell walls, they live in extreme environments

Archaea

A domain of unicellular prokaryotes with cell walls, they live in extreme environments. Archaea. Archaea are simple, single-celled organisms that thrive in harsh conditions like hot springs and salty lakes.

A process by which some organisms, like bacteria, use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates

Chemosynthesis

A process by which some organisms, like bacteria, use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates. Chemosynthesis. It is how certain organisms make food using chemicals instead of sunlight.

An extremophiles that thrive in high salt concentrations

Halophiles

An extremophiles that thrive in high salt concentrations. halophiles. Halophiles are microorganisms that love and live in salty environments like salt flats or salty lakes.

A microorganisms that produce methane as a metabolic byproduct

Methanogens

A microorganisms that produce methane as a metabolic byproduct. Methanogens. Methanogens are tiny organisms that create methane gas, often found in environments without oxygen like swamps or animal guts.

An organism that thrives at high temperatures

Thermophiles

An organism that thrives at high temperatures. Thermophiles. They are microorganisms that live and grow in extremely hot environments, like hot springs.

The most recent individual from which two or more species are descended

Common ancestor

The most recent individual from which two or more species are descended. Common ancestor. In Science, a common ancestor is an ancient organism from which different species have evolved.

A function performed by cells and organism

Life activities

A function performed by cells and organism life activities. Life activities are the essential tasks that organisms perform to survive and grow, like eating, breathing, and moving.

A process of increasing in size

Growth

A process of increasing in size. Growth. In Science, growth is when living things get bigger or develop over time by adding more cells or increasing their size.

Providing the cells of an organism with food, in a form they can use

Nutrition

Providing the cells of an organism with food, in a form they can use. Nutrition. Nutrition is how living things get the energy and nutrients needed for growth and maintenance.

Distribution of materials trough cells and organism

Transport

Distribution of materials through cells and organisms. Transport. Transport is the movement of substances within a living thing to where they are needed.

A jellylike material in a cell

Cytoplasm

A jellylike material in a cell. Cytoplasm. It is the fluid that fills the cell and holds the organelles in place.

The use of oxygen by cells to break down food, and release carbon dioxide and energy

Respiration

The use of oxygen by cells to break down food, and release carbon dioxide and energy. Respiration. Respiration is how cells get energy by using oxygen to break down food.

A reaction that forms a new compound

Synthesis

A reaction that forms a new compound. Synthesis. In Science, synthesis is the process where two or more substances combine to form a new, more complex compound.

The process by which waste is removed from the body

Excretion

The process by which waste is removed from the body. Excretion. Excretion is when your body gets rid of things it doesn't need, like pee and sweat.

Maintaining of homeostasis

Regulation

Maintaining of homeostasis. regulation. Regulation is the process by which living organisms control their internal conditions to stay balanced and healthy.

The maintenance of the stable internal conditions in an organism

Homeostasis

The maintenance of the stable internal conditions in an organism. Homeostasis. It's like a thermostat in your body that keeps everything in balance.

Anything that causes an organism to react

Stimulus

Anything that causes an organism to react. Stimulus. A stimulus is something in the environment that triggers a response from living things.

The process of making offspring

Reproduction

The process of making offspring. Reproduction. Reproduction is how living organisms create new individuals similar to themselves.

The sum of all chemical reactions in an organism

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions in an organism. Metabolism. It's how your body converts food into energy and uses it for growth, repair, and staying alive.