Animal Life and Evolution

an animal that primarily feeds on insects or other small invertebrates

(of plants or animals) feeding on the meat or flesh of other animals

Lions are carnivorous predators that primarily hunt and eat other animals.

(of an animal) solely feeding on plants

Cows are herbivorous mammals that graze on grass and other vegetation.

an organism that cannot produce its own food and must obtain energy by consuming other organisms or organic matter

All animals, including humans, are heterotrophs because they rely on other organisms for food.

an organism that breaks down and feeds on dead organic matter, such as decaying plant and animal material

relating to organisms that live on or inside other organisms, benefiting at the expense of their hosts

Parasitic organisms, like ticks and tapeworms, depend on other living beings for their survival and reproduction.

(of a chemical reaction or compound) occurring or formed with absorption of heat

the act of arousing

(of some animals or plants) to spend the winter sleeping deeply

Bears hibernate in caves during the cold winter months to conserve energy.

a toxic substance produced and secreted by certain animals, typically used for defense or hunting

The snake injected venom into its prey.

the harmful effects or potential for harm caused by a substance to living organisms or the environment

The toxicity of the chemical spill contaminated the nearby water supply, posing a threat to aquatic life.

the power to have an impact on others

The politician’s speech had a remarkable potency, swaying the opinions of many undecided voters.

the place or area in which certain animals, birds, or plants naturally exist, lives, and grows

Coral reefs provide a rich habitat for thousands of marine species.

(of wild animals) hunting, killing, and feeding on other animals for survival

Lions are predatory animals that hunt in groups.

a community of living organisms together with their physical environment, interacting as a system

Coral reefs are diverse ecosystems that support a wide range of marine life.

primarily active or occurring during the daytime

Most birds are diurnal, chirping and foraging for food as soon as the sun rises.

(of animals or organisms) primarily active during the night

The zoo had a special exhibit featuring nocturnal animals, with dim lighting to mimic their natural environment.

relating to or resembling twilight

The crepuscular glow of the sky painted the landscape with soft pastel hues.

eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth

the internal bony structure of an animal that gives it form and supports its weight

the hard outer covering that supports the body of an animal, such as an arthropod

The beetle's exoskeleton was shiny and tough.

(of an animal, plant, etc.) not having any living members, either due to natural causes, environmental changes, or human activity

The dodo bird is an example of a species that is now extinct, as it disappeared centuries ago due to human activity.

the process of bringing extinct species back to life through scientific methods

to change wild animals or plants for human use or cultivation

Farmers have domesticated pigs, selecting traits for docility and suitability for farming.

the protection of the natural environment and resources from wasteful human activities

Conservation efforts are crucial to preserving endangered species and their habitats.

to create an exact genetic copy of an organism or replicate something closely

Scientists successfully cloned the sheep "Dolly" from an adult cell.

related to evolution or the slow and gradual development of something

The evolutionary process has led to the diverse array of life forms we see today.

a taxonomic rank below species that represents a distinct population within a species, exhibiting consistent differences from other populations

characteristic of an early stage of human or animal evolution

The cave paintings depict the life of primitive man.

to expose someone or something to potential harm or risk

Ignoring safety protocols can endanger workers on a construction site.

relating to a disease or condition that is commonly found in a specific area or group of people

Malaria is endemic to tropical regions, where the climate provides a suitable environment for the transmission of the disease.

an extinct large, elephant-like mammal with long, curved tusks and a body covered in hair, which lived during the Pleistocene epoch

Fossils of the mastodon have been found in various parts of North America, providing insights into its habitat and behavior.

ill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance