Period: A horizontal row in the periodic table, indicating elements with the same number of electron shells.

Group: A vertical column in the periodic table, where elements have similar chemical properties due to having the same number of electrons in their outer shell.

Potential energy: Energy stored in an object due to its position or state, like energy in a stretched spring or a chemical bond.

Kinetic energy: Energy of motion; the energy an object has due to its movement.

Element: A substance made up of only one type of atom, defined by its number of protons (atomic number).

Radiation: Energy emitted as electromagnetic waves or particles, such as light, heat, or nuclear radiation.

Carbohydrate: Organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, serving as a primary energy source (e.g., sugars, starches).

Protein: Organic compounds made of amino acids, essential for building tissues, enzymes, and other vital functions.

Lipid: Organic molecules, including fats, oils, and waxes, that are hydrophobic and store energy.

Nucleic acid: Organic molecules like DNA and RNA, composed of nucleotide chains, that store and transmit genetic information.

Carbides: Compounds composed of carbon and a less electronegative element, often metals.

Carbonates: Compounds containing carbon, oxygen, and another element (usually a metal), with the formula CO₃²⁻.

Cyanides: Compounds containing a carbon-nitrogen triple bond (CN), often toxic.

Molecule: A group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest unit of a compound.

Atom: The basic unit of matter, consisting of a nucleus (protons and neutrons) and electrons.

Compound: A substance made of two or more different elements chemically bonded together.

Photosynthesis: The process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen.

Respiration: The process by which cells break down glucose and oxygen to produce energy (ATP), releasing carbon dioxide and water.

"Essential": Refers to substances or nutrients that are required for an organism's survival and cannot be synthesized by the organism.

Macronutrient: Nutrients needed in large amounts by organisms, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Micronutrient: Nutrients required in small amounts, like vitamins and minerals, essential for growth and development.

Ion: An atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a charge.

Cation: A positively charged ion, formed when an atom loses electrons.

Anion: A negatively charged ion, formed when an atom gains electrons.

Ionic bond: A chemical bond formed between two ions with opposite charges, where electrons are transferred.

Covalent bond: A chemical bond where two atoms share electrons.

Hydrogen bond: A weak bond between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom, like oxygen or nitrogen.

Cohesion: The attraction between molecules of the same substance, like water molecules sticking together.

Adhesion: The attraction between molecules of different substances, like water sticking to a surface.

Binomial nomenclature: The system of naming species with two Latin-based names: the genus and species.

Genus: A group of closely related species in biological classification.

Species: A group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.

Heterotroph: Organisms that consume other organisms for energy, such as animals and fungi.

Taxonomy: The science of classifying and naming organisms based on shared characteristics.

Carl Linnaeus: The Swedish botanist who developed the binomial nomenclature system for naming organisms.

Ctenophora: A phylum of marine invertebrates also known as comb jellies, characterized by their unique ciliary structures.

Asexual reproduction: Reproduction that does not involve the fusion of gametes, resulting in offspring genetically identical to the parent.

Sexual reproduction: Reproduction involving the fusion of male and female gametes, producing genetically diverse offspring.

Survivorship (I, II, III): Different patterns of survival within a population, where Type I indicates high survival in early life, Type II indicates a constant death rate, and Type III indicates high mortality in early life.

Trophic cascade: A process where changes at one trophic level cause cascading effects on other levels of the food web.

Primary consumer: Herbivores that consume primary producers (plants).

Primary producer: Organisms like plants and algae that produce energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web.

Tertiary consumer: Carnivores that eat secondary consumers and are typically at the top of the food chain.

Detritus: Organic matter composed of dead plants, animals, and waste products that are broken down by decomposers.

Trophic level: A position in the food chain or web, defined by how an organism obtains its energy.

Food web: A complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, showing energy flow.

Predator: An organism that hunts and kills other organisms for food.

Autotroph: Organisms that produce their own food, typically through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Biodiversity: The variety of life forms in an ecosystem, including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.

Invasive species: Non-native species that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.

Keystone species: A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem, often shaping the structure of the community.

Commensalism: A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Mutualism: A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.

Parasitism: A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of the other.

Canis lupus: The scientific name for the gray wolf.

Diadema antillarum: A species of sea urchin found in the Caribbean, known for its ecological role in coral reef ecosystems.

Mnemiopsis leidyi: An invasive species of comb jelly in marine ecosystems, known for disrupting food webs.

Cervus canadensis: The scientific name for the elk or wapiti, a large species of deer native to North America.

Pterois volitans: The scientific name for the lionfish, an invasive species in the western Atlantic Ocean.