ES Ch 4 Vocabulary

Front

Complete disappearance of a species from Earth.

Back

biological extinction

Front

Scientific manipulation of genes in order to select desirable traits or eliminate undesirable ones. It allows scientists to alter an organism’s genetic material by adding, deleting, or changing segments of its DNA in a process called gene splicing.

Back

genetic engineering

Front

Variety of life on earth.

Back

biodiversity

Front

Area that provides the biotic and abiotic factors a species needs to survive.

Back

habitat

Front

Variety of different organisms present in an ecosystem.

Back

species diversity

Front

The process by which different species evolve from a common ancestor.

Back

speciation

Front

The role and position a species has in its environment, including all interactions with biotic and abiotic factors.

Back

ecological niche

Front

The total number of different species in a given area.

Back

species richness

Front

The variety of genetic information within a single species.

Back

genetic diversity

Front

The different types of ecosystems present in a given area.

Back

ecosystem diversity