semester vocab

1. The natural process of change in ecosystems over time.
7. The breakdown of dead organisms and waste into simpler substances.
9. Evolutionary process where related species become more different.
10. Characteristics passed from parents to offspring.
12. -capacity The maximum number of organisms an environment can support.
14. Genetic material that carries instructions for traits.
15. Rapid population growth increase under ideal conditions.
17. -factor A resource or condition that restricts population growth.
18. Evolutionary process where unrelated species develop similar traits.
19. A molecule that helps carry out instructions from DNA.
23. An individual who does not carry or show a genetic trait or disorder.
26. The change in inherited traits in a population over generations.
27. Evolution of similar traits in related species in similar environments.
28. The ability of an ecosystem to remain balanced and unchanged over time.
30. selection The process by which better-adapted individuals survive and reproduce.

2. A close relationship between two different species.
3. A person who has one copy of a gene for a recessive trait or disorder.
4. -consumer An organism that eats producers (usually herbivores).
5. The ability of an organism to survive exposure to a harmful substance.
6. A chemical used to kill pests that damage crops.
8. -cycle Movement of elements like carbon and nitrogen through ecosystems.
11. Separation of populations that prevents interbreeding.
13. A substance used to kill or inhibit bacteria.
16. An organism that makes its own food through photosynthesis.
20. An individual who shows symptoms of a genetic trait or disorder.
21. -consumer An organism that eats primary consumers.
22. A unit of energy used to measure food energy.
24. -fixing The process of converting nitrogen gas into a usable form for plants.
25. -consumer An organism that eats secondary consumers.
29. Population growth that slows as it reaches carrying capacity.