Name: __________________________
Science Unit 6: Vocabulary List One
Quiz Date: ___________________________________________________________
tundra
desert
coniferous forest
deciduous forest
rainforest
grassland
aquatic
The coldest of the biomes, located at the top of the
world. The soil is frozen. Permafrost, or permanent ice,
usually exists within a meter of the surface. Water is
unavailable during most of the year.
The driest of all the biomes as it receives very little
rainfall. High daytime temperatures and low nighttime
temperatures make survival very difficult.
This is located between the tundra to the north and the
deciduous forest to the south. Consists mostly of trees
that grow needles instead of leaves.
Found between the polar regions and the tropics, this
area is exposed to warm and cold air masses, which gives
this area all four seasons. Consists of trees that grow
leaves and flowered plants.
Located close to the equator. There are two types of
these, tropical and temperate. Consists of three layers
being the canopy, understory, and the floor.
Open, generally flat areas of grass. A few trees may be
found along streams, but not many due to the lack of
rainfall.
Covering nearly 75% of the Earth’s surface. Can be
broken down into two basic regions as freshwater or
marine.
biome
A distinct ecological community of plants and animals
living together in a particular climate.
habitat
The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or
other organism.
environment
The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal,
or plant lives or operates.
ecosystem
A biological community of interacting organisms and
their physical environment.
species
A group of living organisms consisting of similar
individuals.
Name: __________________________
Science Unit 6: Vocabulary List Two
Quiz Date: ___________________________________________________________
ecosystem
A biological community of interacting
organisms and their physical environment.
freshwater ecosystem
ex. Rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, wetlands
marine ecosystem
ex. Shorelines, temperate oceans, tropical
oceans
biome
A distinct ecological community of plants and
animals living together in a particular
climate.
environment
The surroundings or conditions in which a
person, animal, or plant lives or operates.
niche
The position or function of an organism in a
community of plants and animals.
community
A group of interacting populations occupying
a given area.
habitat
The natural home or environment of an
animal, plant, or other organism.
biotic
Living organisms.
abiotic
Non-living
limiting factors
An environmental factor that tends to limit
population size.
Name:__________________________
Science Unit 6: Vocabulary List Three
Quiz Date: ___________________________________________________________
adaptation
The change that living things go through to fit better
with their environment.
adapt
To change.
migration
camouflage
To journey between different areas at specific times
of the year.
A physical adaptation (coloring or covering) that
makes animals, people, and objects look like their
surroundings.
mimicry
To mimic or copy another.
conserve
To use or manage wisely. To preserve or safe.
producers
Make their own food. Ex. green plants
consumers
decomposers
Animals that get their energy from producers or
from organisms that eat producers.
Plants and animals that break down dead plants and
animals into organic materials that go back into the
soil.
herbivores
Animals that eat only plants.
carnivores
Animals that eat herbivores and sometimes other
carnivores.
omnivores
Animals that eat both plants and animals.
predator
Any carnivorous animal that exists by preying on
other organisms.
prey
An animal hunted or seized for food, especially by a
carnivores animal.
**** Previously Studied Words ****
biome
A distinct ecological community of plants and
animals living together in a particular climate.
environment
The surroundings or conditions in which a person,
animal, or plant lives or operates.
ecosystem
A biological community of interacting organisms and
their physical environment.
species
A group of living organisms consisting of similar
individuals.
niche
The position or function of an organism in a
community of plants and animals.
community
A group of interacting populations occupying a given
area.
habitat
The natural home or environment of an animal,
plant, or other organism.
biotic
Living organisms.
abiotic
Non-living
limiting factors
An environmental factor that tends to limit
population size.
Name: __________________________
Science Unit 6: Vocabulary List Four
Quiz Date: ___________________________________________________________
symbiosis
commensalism
mutualism
parasitism
The types of relationships
between two species.
The relationship between two
species when one isn’t helped nor
harmed.
The relationship between two
species and both benefit.
The relationship between two
species when a parasite can live
inside or outside the other
species, causing harm to it.
Name: __________________________
Science Unit 6: Vocabulary List Five
Quiz Date: ___________________________________________________________
overpopulation
deforestation
pollution
A condition in which the number of
a given species is greater than the
environment can handle.
The large-scale clearing of trees by
humans who use the cleared land
for growing crops, grazing
livestock, or the trees for timber
and wood products.
The introduction of any harmful
substance into the environment at
a faster rate than it can be
cleansed. The three main types
are: air, water, and ground.
recycling
To use something old to make
something new.
reduce
To make something smaller.
reuse
To use something again.
conservation
hazard
biohazard
To protect the diversity of life and
prevent the extinction of plants
and animals.
A situation that poses a level of
threat to life, health, property, or
environment.
A substance that poses a threat to
the health of living organisms.