Glossary

An echo-sounder is a device for measuring and mapping the depth of water between the underneath of a boat or ship and another object; usually it is used to determine where a seabed or lakebed is. It works by sending a pulse or 'ping' of sound down and measuring the time taken for the echo (reflected sound wave) from the object to come back. It can be adjusted to bounce off objects such as fish populations.

A group of different species that live in one location and interact with each other.

The study of the interactions of living organisms with each other and their environment.

The study of an organism’s physiology in relation to its environment.

An interacting system made up of animals, plants and bacteria as well as the physical and chemical environment they live in.

An animal whose body temperature is regulated by the surrounding temperature.

The outflowing of water from a system – often refers to the discharge of sewage, but can also be natural, for example, the outflowing of a river to the sea.

The ability of a solid to return to its original shape or form after it has been stretched or compressed.

An excess of electrons on an object gives it a negative charge whereas a deficiency of electrons gives it a positive charge.

A general term that includes a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electrical charge.

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction that makes or uses electricity.

Terminal where electricity goes in or out of a conductor, for example, the positive and negative terminals of a battery.

An instrument for measuring the electrical activity of the brain, usually by placing electrodes on the brain. It can be used to diagnose brain tumours and look at brain activity.

A chemical change caused by passing electricity through a solution.

The complete range of electromagnetic radiation from the shortest waves (gamma rays) to the longest (radio waves).

A light subatomic particle with negative charge, found in the space surrounding an atomic nucleus.

A microscope that creates a magnified image using a beam of electrons instead of light.

A tiny slice of semiconductor material, such as silicon, processed to form a type of integrated circuit or component such as a transistor.

When an electrical current is applied to a solution to separate out different sized particles, the most common use being DNA gel electrophoresis where DNA in a gel matrix are separated.

An element is a substance made of atoms all with the same atomic number. Elements cannot be split into simpler substances using normal chemical methods.

One of the top few in their sport.

A species that is possibly going to become extinct soon due to limited numbers of individuals alive or not enough habitat to live in.

Native to only one location. Species endemic to New Zealand naturally occur only in New Zealand but may have been introduced elsewhere in the world.

An animal’s ability to maintain constant body temperature in different surrounding temperatures.

Ability of a muscle to produce force continually over a period of time.

Also known as EDXA is a technique used to determine the individual elements of an object. An electron beam is passed over the sample which causes X-rays to be emitted from the sample. The energy of the X-rays emitted varies with different elements which enables scientists to obtain an image of each element in the sample. As X-rays are of low intensity this process can take several hours.

Using computer models to find areas where the wind strength and consistency is suitable for harnessing wind energy.

A scientist who studies insects.

A complex protein that acts as a catalyst in specific biochemical reactions. For example, saliva contains an enzyme called amylase that can break down starch into simple sugars.

The second geological epoch (a division of time by which geological periods are divided) of the Tertiary period, 56.5–35.5 million years ago, when early forms of mammals were evolving following the extinction of dinosaurs.

The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus of the earthquake.

The branch of medical science that deals with the study (including type, origin and geographical spread) and control of diseases in a population – literally, the study of epidemics.

The surface layer of the two main layers that make up the skin. Contains basal cells, squamous cells and melanocytes.

The study of the mechanisms that can make changes in gene function without making changes in the underlying DNA sequence of the gene.

The study of the overall state of epigenes in a cell. One genome can give rise to many epigenomes as different genes are activated or deactivated.

Cells that line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body. The outermost layer of our skin is made from dead squamous epithelial cells.

The situation when the forces and torques acting on a part of the body are balanced.

A partially enclosed body of water where freshwater mixes with saltwater from the sea.

A group of organisms whose cells contain cell organelles such as a nucleus, chloroplast or mitochondria. This group includes fungi, plants and animals.

A process where waterways, lakes and shallow sea areas receive excess nutrients that stimulate excessive plant or algae growth. This excessive growth depletes the available oxygen in the water and causes other organisms to die off.

The process by which a liquid is converted into a gas, without necessarily reaching the boiling point.

In biology, the change in the genetic material and/or the behaviour of a population of organisms over time.

When a part of the body - muscle and joint - is in a non-flexed position.

A muscle that bends a part of the body outwards.

In biology, the death of the last remaining individual of a species.

Planets that orbit stars outside our own Solar System. Also called exoplanets.