| A | B |
|---|
| accuracy | the state of being correct or precise |
| spore | similar to a seed; a reproductive cell used by bacteria, fungi, and some plants |
| boundary | a line that marks the edge of an area |
| controlled experiment | a laboratory investigation in which all variables are kept the same except for the independent and dependent variables. |
| closed system | a system in which matter may circulate but not enter or leave |
| criteria | requirements or rules for evaluating something |
| constraint | limitation |
| divergent | developing in different directions |
| dynamic equilibrium | a state of balance between processes that are in motion |
| experimental control condition | a standard condition that other conditions can be compared to in an experiment |
| field study | an investigation that involves observing natural conditions; not a controlled experiment |
| finite | limited |
| honesty | adherence to the facts |
| host | a living animal or plant on or in which a parasite lives |
| infer | to derive as a conclusion from facts or observations |
| inadequacy | deficiency |
| open system | system in which energy and/or matter can move in and out |
| particle | any of the basic units of matter and energy |
| reliability | the extent to which an experiment, test, or measuring procedure yields the same results on repeated trials |
| research question | a testable problem that someone would like to investigate |
| subsystem | a group within a group of regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole |
| sensor | a device that responds to a physical stimulus (like heat, light, sound, pressure) |
| skeptical | having doubt about something |
| static equilibrium | when the net forces acting upon a particle are zero |
| systematic observation | recording data at specific, regular intervals |
| transform | to change to another form |
| theory | a scientific explanation based on evidence |
| trade off | something that has advantages and disadvantages; a choice that makes some things better but other things worse |
| transmission | spreading of something, such as disease |
| unintended consequence | a result of effect that was not expected |
| variable | a factor that affects an investigation |
| valid | measuring a phenomenon accurately, without contamination or uncontrolled factors |
| validate | to check or prove the accuracy of data |
| validity | the degree to which data accurately answers the research question |
| controlled varialble | something in an investigation that is kept the same |
| independent (manipulated) variable | what is changed in an investigation |
| dependent (responding) variable | what is measured in an investigation |
| acquired characteristic | a trait that is not affected by genetics |
| adaptation | a change in an organism's traits or behaviors |
| carrying capacity | the maximum number of organisms an environment can support |
| complementary | making complete; filling a gap |
| asexual reproduction | reproduction of genetic material from only one individual |
| evolution | change in heritable (genetic) traits of a population over time |
| energy chain | flow of energy through a network of living things |
| estuary | an inlet of the ocean |
| hydrosphere | the water component of the earth: water vapor, lakes, oceans, rivers, etc. |
| invasive | another word for non-native, usually also having negative effects on the native things |
| native | naturally occurring in an area |
| niche | the role occupied by an organism in an ecosystem |
| nonnative | not naturally occurring in an area |
| ova | egg cells (singular: ovum) |
| parasite | an organism that gets its food and shelter from another organism |
| population density | the number of organisms living in a given area |
| absorption | when something is taken in by a chemical or physical action |
