Biodiversity in the Ocean

Archaea

A domain of unicellular prokaryotes with cell walls, they live in extreme environments. Archaea. Archaea are simple, single-celled organisms that thrive in harsh conditions like hot springs and salty lakes.

Bacteria

A domain of unicellular prokaryotes with cell walls. Bacteria. Bacteria are tiny living organisms found almost everywhere, which can be helpful or cause diseases.

Binomial nomenclature

The two-word genus and species naming system for organisms, like homo sapiens, is called binomial nomenclature. Binomial nomenclature is a method used to give each species a unique, universally accepted scientific name.

Biodiversity

Number and variety of species living in an area. biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of all living organisms in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Chemosynthesis

A process by which some organisms, like bacteria, use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates. Chemosynthesis. It is how certain organisms make food using chemicals instead of sunlight.

Cytoplasm

A jellylike material in a cell. Cytoplasm. It is the fluid that fills the cell and holds the organelles in place.

Eukaryote

A cell that has a membrane and a nucleus. Eukaryote. A eukaryote is an organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other structures enclosed within membranes.

Fertilization

When a male reproductive cell sperm joins with a female reproductive cell egg, fertilization occurs. Fertilization is the process where the sperm and egg combine to form a new cell, starting the development of a new organism.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of the stable internal conditions in an organism. Homeostasis. It's like a thermostat in your body that keeps everything in balance.

Invertebrate

An animal without a backbone. invertebrate. Invertebrates are animals that do not have a spine.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions in an organism. Metabolism. It's how your body converts food into energy and uses it for growth, repair, and staying alive.

Microorganism

A very small organism that can only be seen with a microscope, like bacteria, is a microorganism. A microorganism is a tiny living thing that can be found everywhere, and it includes bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Multicellular

An organism that is made up of many cells, like all animals, plants, and fungi. Multicellular means an organism has multiple cells working together to perform life functions.

Nekton

A marine organism that can actively swim, as opposed to those moved by the current. Nekton are animals like fish and squid that can swim independently of water currents.

Plankton

Tiny microscopic organisms that float or drift in water. Plankton are small organisms in water that are essential for the food chain and produce much of the Earth's oxygen.

Population

All the organisms of the same species living in the same area. Population. In Science, population refers to a group of the same species living together in one area.

Reproduction

The process of making offspring. Reproduction. Reproduction is how living organisms create new individuals similar to themselves.

Respiration

The use of oxygen by cells to break down food, and release carbon dioxide and energy. Respiration. Respiration is how cells get energy by using oxygen to break down food.

Stimulus

Anything that causes an organism to react. Stimulus. A stimulus is something in the environment that triggers a response from living things.

Synthesis

A reaction that forms a new compound. Synthesis. In Science, synthesis is the process where two or more substances combine to form a new, more complex compound.

Taxonomy

The scientific classification and naming of organisms. Taxonomy. Taxonomy is the science of categorizing and naming living things to show how they're related.

Unicellular

An organism made of a single cell. Unicellular. It means the organism consists of only one cell that performs all life functions.