algae — photosynthetic microorganisms which are mainly aquatic and differ from plants because of a lack of true stems, roots, and leaves; algal (adj.)
archaeological — having to do with the science of studying prehistoric remains
bison — a hoofed mammal with a dark-brown coat, shaggy mane, shoulder hump, and short curved horns, commonly known in North America as a buffalo
carbon dioxide — a colorless, odorless gas, formed during respiration, combustion, and organic decomposition
carcass — the dead body of an animal
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) — the complex chemical that establishes genetic traits
enzyme — a protein substance that is produced by living cells and that affects the metabolism of the organism
extinction — the complete loss of a species
extremophile(s ) — a lover of an environment that is extreme to humans
fluoride — a compound of a pale-yellow gaseous element
forage — (v.) to search for food; (n.) food
habitat — the environment in which life forms live and grow
geothermal — having to do with heat from the Earth
hydrogen sulfide — a poisonous gas composed of hydrogen and sulfur and having a rotten egg smell
hydrothermal — having to do with hot water
interaction — contact between two or more species
larvae — newly hatched insects that are still without wings
microorganisms — tiny life forms such as bacteria, usually not visible to the naked eye
migrate — to change location from one region to another, usually seasonally; migration (n.)
overgraze — to graze excessively
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) — an artificial way to duplicate DNA
predator — an animal that survives by killing and eating other animals
rhyolite — a volcanic rock similar in composition to granite; rhyolitic (adj.)
scavenger — an animal that feeds on dead or decaying food scraps; scavenging (adj.)
sedge — a plant that looks like grass, but has a solid, triangular stem, leaves growing in three vertical rows, and inconspicuous flowers
silica — the crystalline compound of silicon and oxygen
sulfur — a pale yellow, nonmetallic element; sulfuric (adj.)
thermal — having to do with heat
toxic — poisonous
tranquilize— to make calm or tranquil, usually with medication
ungulates — mammals with
hooves such as elk, deer, bison, and bighorn sheep
vandalism — deliberate damage
|
