Microbes Vocab 1. Microbe - – any organism or near life form that cannot be seen with the naked eye 2. Virus- A tiny non-living particle that enters and reproduces inside a living cell. They are composed of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) and a protein coat. 3. Host – organism that provides energy (Example: human, dog, tomato) 4. Parasite an organism that is living on or in a host cell that causes harm to the host 5.Bacteria- single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus, prokaryotic 6. Prokaryotic-organism that lacks a nucleus (has DNA) and other cell structures 7. Fungi- A eukaryotic organism that has cell walls, use spores to reproduce, and is a heterotroph that feeds by absorbing its food. 8. Eukaryotic either unicellular or multi-cellular organism that contains membrane-bound organelles and genetic material within a nucleus.

Infectious Disease Vocab 1.Infectious Disease – disease caused by the presence of a living thing in the body. 2.Pathogen – a microbe that causes disease in an organism 3.Carrier – a PERSON with a disease that they can pass on to other organisms 4.Vector – an ANIMAL/Insect that carries and transmits a disease 5.Vaccine – substance entered in the body to produce immunity (prevent getting sick) 6.Antibiotic – medicines used to kill or slow growth in bacteria that cause disease 7.Anti viral- Medicines used to treat a virus once a person is sick but must be given with a few days of exposure. 8.Epidemic – illness or health-related issue that is showing up in more cases than would normally be expected. (Ex: Malaria) 9.Pandemic – wide spread (usually worldwide) outbreak of an infectious disease (Ex: Influenza)

Ecosystems Vocabulary Ecosystem: complex, interactive systems that include both biological communities (biotic) and physical (abiotic) components of the environment Organism: a living thing Population: a group of the same type of organism living in a certain area Biotic factor: any of the organisms living in an ecosystem Abiotic factor: nonliving things in an ecosystem that may be chemical or physical Habitat: the non-living things (abiotic factors) within an environment

Symbiotic Relationships Vocab Symbiosis- a relationship where two organisms live together Mutualism – a relationship where both organisms benefit – Example: Acacia tree and ants. The tree get protection from predators and the ants get shelter and food. Parasitism- One organism benefits and other (host) is harmed – Example- Strangling fig vine uses trees as a support and way to get nutrients. It will eventually kill the tree. – Ticks on a dog. The tick will suck the blood of the host making it sick. Commensalism – One organism benefits while the other is unaffected – Example Remora Shark and the Whale Shark. The Remora gets protection and food while the whale shark get nothing.

Ecological Relationships Vocab Herbivore (plant eater)  Carnivore (meat eater)  Omnivore (plant & meat eater) Producer – makes their own food Consumer – gets their food by eating other organisms Decomposer – absorbs nutrients from dead organisms Symbiosis- a relationship where two organisms live together Mutualism – a relationship where both organisms benefit – Example: Acacia tree and ants. The tree get protection from predators and the ants get shelter and food. Parasitism- One organism benefits and other (host) is harmed – Example- Strangling fig vine uses trees as a support and way to get nutrients. It will eventually kill the tree. – Ticks on a dog. The tick will suck the blood of the host making it sick. Commensalism – One organism benefits while the other is unaffected – Example Remora Shark and the Whale Shark. The Remora gets protection and food while the whale shark get nothing. 5