Transcript Introductory Zoology Vocabulary

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Zoology
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Entomology
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Study of Animals
Study of insects
Herpetology
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A branch of zoology dealing
with reptiles and amphibians
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Ichthyology
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Ornithology
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Study of fishes
Study of birds
Taxonomy
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Naming and classifying
organisms
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Species
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Group of organisms that can
breed…produce offspring
that are fertile
 Are mules considered a
breed?
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Kingdom
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BIGGEST group in
taxonomy
Phylum
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1 step below (more specific)
kingdom in taxonomy
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Structure (body structure)
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Trait
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A distinguishing quality
An inherited characteristic
Heredity
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Parts of the body
Passing of traits from parents to
offspring
Evolution
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A change over time; a process by
which modern organisms have
descended from ancient organisms.
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Natural selection
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Process by which individuals that are better suited to
their environment survive and reproduce most
successfully.
Adaptation
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Inherited characteristic (or trait) that increases an
organism’s chance of survival.
Harriet was long reputed to have been one
of three tortoises taken from the Galapagos
Islands by Charles Darwin on his historic
1835 voyage aboard the HMS Beagle. She
was 175 years old (Died 2006)
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Prokaryote
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Eukaryotic
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Single celled organism lacking
a true nucleus
A cell that has membranous
organelles and a nucleus
Organic compound

Carbon based compounds
which are the basis of life
(cells).
 EX: Carbohydrates, Proteins,
Lipids, DNA
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Photosynthesis
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Autotroph
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Process plants use to make
energy from sunlight.
An organism that can make its
own food; a producer.
Ex: Plant
Heterotroph
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An organism that cannot make
its own food; a consumer.
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Cellular respiration
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Metabolism
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How cells make energy from
food
All the chemical processes in
an organism release energy
Nutrient

Furnishing nourishment
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Carbohydrates
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Proteins
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Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen;
energy source
EX: sugars (glucose)
Nitrogen-containing organic
compounds composed of amino
acids
EX: Hair
Enzyme
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A protein needed to speed
up/start chemical reactions.
EX: Lactase
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Hormone
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A protein that controls reactions
made in one part of the body but
used in another part of the body.
EX: Insulin
Homeostasis
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An organisms ability to maintain
stability during on environmental
change.
EX: Hot and cold climate
conditions
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Plankton

1.
Phytoplankton
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2.
Organisms that drift; they don’t
swim strong! Two types:
Plant plankton; forms the base of
aquatic food chains.
EX: Diatoms
Zooplankton
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Animal plankton
EX: krill and larval forms of
crustaceans
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Population
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Community
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A group of similar
organisms in a given
area.
All the populations in
an area.
Ecosystem
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All the communities
and their environment
in an area.