5/26/2021
Life
Sciences
Terminology List
Please note that this Terminology List is
intended to supplement the content of the
textbook. It is not necessarily complete.
Contents
Theme 1: Environmental Studies ..................................................................................................2
Theme 2: Life Processes................................................................................................................6
Endocrine System........................................................................................................................6
Reproduction in Flowering Plants (Angiosperms)....................................................................8
Reproductive Animal Strategies...............................................................................................11
Human Reproduction.................................................................................................................12
,Theme 3: DNA & Genetics............................................................................................................17
Theme 4: Evolution.......................................................................................................................23
Evolution Terms.........................................................................................................................23
Hominid Studies.........................................................................................................................27
Page 1 of 29
Theme 1: Environmental Studies
TERM DEFINITION
Individual / species Organisms with similar characteristics that can breed with each other and
produce fertile offspring
Population A group of organisms of the same species inhabiting a defined area close
enough to other to allow random interbreeding to take place.
Community All the different populations that live and feed in the same habitat
, Ecosystem A place where different communities interact with one another and with the
non-living environment
Biome A group of different ecosystems characterized by the dominant plant life
and the same climate
Immigration One-way movement of organisms into an area where they become
established.
Emigration One-way movement of organisms out of an area where they become
established.
Natality The increase in the population size due to reproduction. Normally
expressed as the no. of live births per 1000 individuals per year.
Mortality The decrease in population size due to death. Normally expressed as the
no. of deaths per 1000 individuals per year.
Open population A population in which all four population parameters can take place.
Closed population A population in which immigration and emigration cannot take place. Only
natality and mortality play a role, e.g., fish in a dam, organisms on an
island. Game reserves – enclose large animals.
r-Strategy Breeding strategy where many young are produced, with little or no
parental care. Few individuals survive to reach reproductive age. e.g.,
insects, frogs, fish.
K-Strategy Breeding strategy where one or only a few young are produced, with much
parental care. Good chance of survival so most individuals reach
reproductive age. Tend to be climax species.
e.g., birds, mammals, (incl. elephants, whales, humans).
Page 2 of 29
Geometric Rate of growth increases as the population size increases. Initially slow
growth curve growth but then accelerates as population becomes established. e.g.,
bacteria, fungi, insects.
(Exponential)
J-shaped
growth curve
Logistic growth Rate of growth initially increases as the population size increases but
curve growth rate slows down and stabilises (environmental resistance) unless
the environment changes. KNOW the phases.
S-shaped
growth curve
, Curve I (convex) Most of offspring become adult, mortality in older individuals, high level of
survivorship parental care. Found in K-strategy species. Death rate increases rapidly in
curve old age e.g., humans, elephants, whales.
Curve II Mortality steadily decreases over time. Death rate constant – no age is
(straight line) more susceptible than another e.g., many birds, plants, oak trees, rabbits.
survivorship
curve
Curve III High mortality in young, no parental care. Low death rate for the few that
(concave) reach adulthood. Found in r-strategy species.
survivorship
e.g., fish, frogs, oysters, crocodiles.
curve
Density Factors that affect all populations, no matter the size. Usually causes a
independent sudden reduction in population size.
limiting factors e.g., floods, droughts, fire, volcanoes.
Density-dependa Factors have a greater effect when population density is higher. e.g.,
nt limiting build-up of waste, competition, disease, parasites, predation
factors
Environmental The sum of the environmental factors (such as drought, mineral
resistance deficiencies, and competition) that tend to restrict the biotic potential of an
organism or kind of organism and impose a limit on numerical increase.
Carrying capacity The number of people, animals, or crops which a region can support
without environmental degradation.
If a known number of individuals is marked it is
Mark – recapture
assumed that the proportion of marked
KNOW THESE
technique
individuals in the sample size is the
FORMULAE
(Indirect method)
same/similar as in the total population.
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Life
Sciences
Terminology List
Please note that this Terminology List is
intended to supplement the content of the
textbook. It is not necessarily complete.
Contents
Theme 1: Environmental Studies ..................................................................................................2
Theme 2: Life Processes................................................................................................................6
Endocrine System........................................................................................................................6
Reproduction in Flowering Plants (Angiosperms)....................................................................8
Reproductive Animal Strategies...............................................................................................11
Human Reproduction.................................................................................................................12
,Theme 3: DNA & Genetics............................................................................................................17
Theme 4: Evolution.......................................................................................................................23
Evolution Terms.........................................................................................................................23
Hominid Studies.........................................................................................................................27
Page 1 of 29
Theme 1: Environmental Studies
TERM DEFINITION
Individual / species Organisms with similar characteristics that can breed with each other and
produce fertile offspring
Population A group of organisms of the same species inhabiting a defined area close
enough to other to allow random interbreeding to take place.
Community All the different populations that live and feed in the same habitat
, Ecosystem A place where different communities interact with one another and with the
non-living environment
Biome A group of different ecosystems characterized by the dominant plant life
and the same climate
Immigration One-way movement of organisms into an area where they become
established.
Emigration One-way movement of organisms out of an area where they become
established.
Natality The increase in the population size due to reproduction. Normally
expressed as the no. of live births per 1000 individuals per year.
Mortality The decrease in population size due to death. Normally expressed as the
no. of deaths per 1000 individuals per year.
Open population A population in which all four population parameters can take place.
Closed population A population in which immigration and emigration cannot take place. Only
natality and mortality play a role, e.g., fish in a dam, organisms on an
island. Game reserves – enclose large animals.
r-Strategy Breeding strategy where many young are produced, with little or no
parental care. Few individuals survive to reach reproductive age. e.g.,
insects, frogs, fish.
K-Strategy Breeding strategy where one or only a few young are produced, with much
parental care. Good chance of survival so most individuals reach
reproductive age. Tend to be climax species.
e.g., birds, mammals, (incl. elephants, whales, humans).
Page 2 of 29
Geometric Rate of growth increases as the population size increases. Initially slow
growth curve growth but then accelerates as population becomes established. e.g.,
bacteria, fungi, insects.
(Exponential)
J-shaped
growth curve
Logistic growth Rate of growth initially increases as the population size increases but
curve growth rate slows down and stabilises (environmental resistance) unless
the environment changes. KNOW the phases.
S-shaped
growth curve
, Curve I (convex) Most of offspring become adult, mortality in older individuals, high level of
survivorship parental care. Found in K-strategy species. Death rate increases rapidly in
curve old age e.g., humans, elephants, whales.
Curve II Mortality steadily decreases over time. Death rate constant – no age is
(straight line) more susceptible than another e.g., many birds, plants, oak trees, rabbits.
survivorship
curve
Curve III High mortality in young, no parental care. Low death rate for the few that
(concave) reach adulthood. Found in r-strategy species.
survivorship
e.g., fish, frogs, oysters, crocodiles.
curve
Density Factors that affect all populations, no matter the size. Usually causes a
independent sudden reduction in population size.
limiting factors e.g., floods, droughts, fire, volcanoes.
Density-dependa Factors have a greater effect when population density is higher. e.g.,
nt limiting build-up of waste, competition, disease, parasites, predation
factors
Environmental The sum of the environmental factors (such as drought, mineral
resistance deficiencies, and competition) that tend to restrict the biotic potential of an
organism or kind of organism and impose a limit on numerical increase.
Carrying capacity The number of people, animals, or crops which a region can support
without environmental degradation.
If a known number of individuals is marked it is
Mark – recapture
assumed that the proportion of marked
KNOW THESE
technique
individuals in the sample size is the
FORMULAE
(Indirect method)
same/similar as in the total population.
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=������������ �������������������� ���������������� ����
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