Visual Vocabulary

Littoral Zone The shallow zone of soil and water in lakes and ponds where most algae and emergent plants grow This is area in a lake that has the most biodiversity

Logistic Growth Model A growth model that describes a population whose growth is initially exponential, but slows as the population approaches the carrying capacity of the environment Predicts populations that are subject to density-dependent constraints, such as increased competition

Macroevolution Evolution that gives to new species, genera, families, classes, and phyla The term speciation is restricted to the evolution of new species out of the many levels

Macronutrients The six key elements that organisms need in relatively large amounts: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur Organisms need nitrogen– the most abundant element in the atmosphere

Mad Cow Disease A disease in which prions mutate into deadly pathogens and slowly damage a cow’s nervous system Prions are not well understood and represent a new category of pathogen

Magma Molten rock This molten rock slowly circulate in convection cells, much as the atmosphere does

Malaria An infectious disease caused by one of several species of protists in the genes Since 1951, the malaria parasite has been eradicated from the United States by mosquito eradication programs

Malnourished Having a diet that lacks the correct balance of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals Nearly 3 billion– nearly one half of the world’s population– are malnourished

Mangrove Swamp A swam that occurs along tropical and subtropical coasts, and contains salt-tolerant trees with roots submerged in water The trees help to protect those coastlines from erosion and storm damage

Mantle The layer of Earth above the core, containing magma Because earth contains a finite supply of mineral resources, we cannot extract resources from the planet indefinitely