Chapter 4 key terms

a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

A biotic factor is any living thing that has an effect on an ecosystem.

An abiotic factor is a non-living part of an ecosystem that shapes its environment.

an individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form.

a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.

all the inhabitants of a particular town, area, or country.

a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.

the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth.

the action or process of adapting or being adapted.

Artificial selection is the identification by humans of desirable traits in plants and animals, and the steps taken to enhance and perpetuate those traits in future generations.

the refusal to accept or comply with something; the attempt to prevent something by action or argument.

microorganisms that are similar to bacteria in size and simplicity of structure but radically different in molecular organization.

a member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms which have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease.

any of a group of spore-producing organisms feeding on organic matter, including molds, yeast, mushrooms, and toadstools.

a single-celled organism of the kingdom Protista, such as a protozoan or simple alga.

a plant that has seeds unprotected by an ovary or fruit.

a plant that has flowers and produces seeds enclosed within a carpel.

an animal lacking a backbone, such as an arthropod, mollusk, annelid, coelenterate, etc.

an animal of a large group distinguished by the possession of a backbone or spinal column, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.