B Y N I C H O L A S P A Y I A T I S

AP Biology Terms and Pictures

Autotroph

An autotroph is an organism that makes its own food(organic molecules) from inorganic materials. They are the lowest organism on the food chain.

Conifer Leaf

These are leaves from coniferous trees, such as pine tree. They are needle like in order to hold water. They are usually located in colder climates.

Deciduous Leaf

Deciduous leaves belong to deciduous trees, which lose all their leaves at one time of the year in order to become dormant. These leaves change color before they fall off, because they stop making chlorophyll.

Mutualism

Mutualism is when two organisms have a relationship that is beneficial for both of them.

Exoskeleton

A creature has an exoskeleton when the skeleton is one the outside of the organism. Most arthropods have exoskeletons. An exoskeleton is often used as a form of protection.

Pollen

Yellowish spores found in seeded plants that fertilize plants and allow them to flower.

Lichen

A close relationship between fungus and algae. It is a mixture of these two species. Lichens are usually found on rocks or trees, in a green, grey or yellow color.

Insect

Insects are usually small arthropods and are a part of the Insecta class. Insects have multiple stages and the adult usually has three pairs of legs. Its body is segmented into a head, thorax, and abdomen.

Heartwood

The inner circle of wood in a branch, trunk, or stem. It is usually darker, composed of dead cells, and is resistant to decay. The heartwood is harder then the wood surrounding it.

Long-day Plant

These plants need a certain amount of sun in order for the flower to bloom.

Pollinator

Pollinator is anything that transfers the pollen from the anthers to the stigma. A pollinator allows flowers to be fertilized.

The Rest of the Terms

Annelid

The annelid is a part of the Annelida phylum, which is a type of animal. They consist of about 15,000 species of segmented worms.

A Population

One species organisms or organisms that share a same trait that are living together at a certain place and time.

Arthropod

The arthropod phylum is the largest phylum in the animal kingdom. Characteristics of arthropods include an external skeleton and paired legs.

Frond

The leaf part of a non-vascular plant. The fronds often fan out around a stem.

Gastropod

The gastropod is a class within the mollusca phylum. A gastropod has a head, one piece protective shell, and one foot on which the rest of the body rests upon.

Genetically Modified

When a organism’s DNA has been altered in the lab through genetic engineering. This is a controversial science.

Niche

A niche is a specific job or function a organism takes in an ecosystem. It’s also all the biotic and abioticfactors that causes a species to do what it does.

Leaf- Gymnosperm

Gymnosperms are vascular plants that do not protect seeds in fruit. They usually are protected by being borne inside of cones. These are found on pine trees.

Parasite

A parasite causes harm to its host, another organism, while using it for its own benefit. Parasites use their host for shelter or nutrition.