Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
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.
B
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.
C
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.
climograph - A representation of a single location’s basic climate in graph format. Climographs plot two variables: monthly average temperature and monthly average precipitation. Together these variables give an idea of the location’s climate.
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.
D
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.
E
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.
F
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.
G
growing season - The time of the year when crops grow.
H
humid - Containing moisture.
hypothesis - An educated guess; a likely explanation for a problem.
I
insulate - To separate to prevent transfer of electricity, heat, or sound.
investigate - To observe or study closely.
J
K
L
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.
M
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.
N
needleleaf - A type of tree with long, thin leaves.
nutrient - A material that plants and animals need to live and grow.
O
organism - A living being.
oxygen - A gas that is given off by plants and used by animals.
P
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.
Q
R
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.
S
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.
T
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.
U
V
vegetation - Plant life of an area.