| adaptation |
A structure or behavior that helps a plant or animal live in its surroundings. |
| algae |
A marine or freshwater plant or plant-like organism that usually contains chlorophyll. |
| analyze |
To study or determine the nature and relationship of the parts, suggest separating or breaking down the parts of something to understand its true nature. |
| annuals |
Plants that complete their life cycles in one growing season. |
| arid |
Lacking in rainfall, very dry. |
| atmosphere |
The layer of gases, like air, that surrounds the Earth. |
| basin |
A low, bowl-shaped area of land surrounded by higher lands. |
| biome |
A community of plants and animals living together in a particular climate. |
| broadleaf |
A type of tree with wide, flat leaves. |
| carbon dioxide |
A gas in air that is taken in by plants, exhaled by animals, and given off when fuel is burned. A carbon dioxide molecule is formed when two oxygen atoms combine with a single carbon atom. |
| Celsius scale (C) |
The metric temperature scale where 0 degrees is assigned to the temperature where water freezes, and 100 to the temperature where water boils. |
| centimeter (cm) |
A unit of length in the metric system. There are 100 centimeters in a meter. |
| chlorophyll |
A green pigment found in plants, necessary for conducting photosynthesis. |
| classify |
To arrange in groups according to specified similarities. |
| climate |
The average weather conditions of an area over many years, as measured by temperature, wind speed, and precipitation. |
| community |
The whole group of plants and animals that interact in a common location. |
| competition |
The active demand by two or more organisms, such as plants, for some environmental resource in short supply. |
| conserve |
To preserve, or to avoid wasteful use. |
| correlate |
To show a relationship between things. |
| deciduous tree |
One of a group of trees that lose their leaves in the fall. |
| dormant |
Inactive or asleep, but capable of waking up; not actively growing, but protected from the environment. |
| drought |
A period of dryness, that when prolonged, causes damage to crops; a shortage of water. |
| elevation |
The height of a place above sea level. |
| environment |
The surroundings in which a person, plant or animal lives, including the air, water, and land. |
| epiphyte |
An organism that grows on another organism. The two organisms do not take nutrients from or give nutrients to each other. |
| equator |
An imaginary circle around the Earth that lies halfway between the North Pole and the South Pole. |
| evaporate |
To change from a liquid to a gas. |
| evergreen |
A plant that stays green all year, including firs and pines. |
| fluctuate |
To change back and forth uncertainly. |
| fungus |
An organism that grows from spores, not seeds, usually classified as a plant without chlorophyll, such as mold, mildew, mushrooms, and yeast. |
| growing season |
The time of the year when crops grow. |
| humid |
Containing moisture. |
| hypothesis |
An educated guess; a likely explanation for a problem. |
| insulate |
To separate to prevent transfer of electricity, heat, or sound. |
| investigate |
To observe or study closely. |
| landforms |
Shapes, like mountains or hills, that make up the Earth's surface. |
| latitude |
Imaginary lines on a map or globe that measure distance in degrees north or south of the equator. Latitude lines extend horizontally, from east to west on a globe. |
| longitude |
Imaginary lines on a map or globe that measure distance in degrees east or west of the prime meridian. Longitude lines extend vertically, from pole to pole on a globe. |
| mean |
The average. |
| millimeter (mm) |
A unit for measuring length in the metric system. There are 10 mm in 1 cm, and 1,000 mm in a meter. |
| needleleaf |
A type of tree with long, thin leaves. |
| nutrient |
A material that plants and animals need to live and grow. |
| organism |
A living being. |
| oxygen |
A gas that is given off by plants and used by animals. |
| perennials |
Plants that complete a growing cycle each year for several years. |
| photosynthesis |
The process by which plants use light, carbon dioxide, and water to make food. |
| plain |
A large area of flat or nearly flat land. |
| prairie |
Flat land covered with tall grass and wildflowers. |
| precipitation |
Moisture that falls to the ground from clouds; includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail. |
| predominant |
Most frequent or most common. |
| property |
Something about an organism or object that can be observed, such as size or shape; characteristics common to all members of a group. |
| reflect |
To bend or fold back, to change direction. |
| region |
A large area with common features that set it apart from other areas. |
| resource |
Something that is useful. |
| sod |
A thick layer of soil. |
| species |
A group of organisms having common attributes and given a common name. |
| steppe |
A flat, dry plain covered with short grass. |
| symbiosis |
Living together in a way that benefits both individuals. |
| temperature |
The degree of hotness or coldness of a substance as measured by a thermometer. |
| thrive |
To flourish or grow vigorously. |
| tolerate |
To put up with, endure, or withstand. |
| vegetation |
Plant life of an area. |
