Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Autopolyploidy.
See
polyploidy
.
Backcross.
A breeding cross between progeny and one of their earlier
parental types.
Ballast water.
Water taken into cargo tanks of ships that are not fully
loaded to make the ship ride deeper and in more seaworthy condition.
Benthic zone.
The deep water substrate habitat of an aquatic ecosystem.
Biotic homogenization.
Increased similarity of biotas of different
regions due to introduction of alien species.
Biotic relaxation.
Decline in number of species in a recently isolated
area due to an excess of extinctions over colonization by new species.
Biotype.
A population or genetic race of an animal that is associated with
a particular plant or animal host.
Castrator.
A parasite or substance that destroys the reproductive system
of an organism.
Catechin.
A plant carbon-ring compound that exerts antioxidant,
antimicrobial, or phytotoxic action, depending on its isomeric form.
Character displacement.
The existence of greater differences between
or among species in areas where they occur together compared to areas
where they do not occur together.
Chitinase.
An enzyme that breaks down chitin, a major component of
the exoskeletons of many invertebrates.
Cladocerans.
Small aquatic crustaceans commonly known as water fleas.
Clone.
A group of individual organisms derived asexually from a parent
and having identical genetic features.
Coevolution.
Mutual evolutionary change by two or more different
species as a result of their interaction.
Commensalism.
A symbiotic relationship that is beneficial to one
member and harmless to the other.
Compensation (for herbivory).
The ability of a plant to respond to
herbivore impacts so that its evolutionary fitness is not reduced. Over-
compensation is a response that increases the fitness of the plant.
Congeners.
Members of the same genus.
Constitutive defenses.
Morphological or chemical deterrents to herbi-
