Biological concepts

A species () is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. It can be defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. Other ways of defining species include their karyotype, DNA sequence, morphology, behaviour, or ecological niche. In addition, palaeontologists use the concept of the chronospecies since fossil reproduction cannot be examined. The most recent rigorous estimate for the total number of species

Behavior (American English) or behaviour (British English) is the range of actions of organisms, individuals, systems or artificial entities in some environment. These systems can include other systems or organisms as well as the inanimate physical environment. It is the computed response of the system or organism to various stimuli or inputs, whether internal or external, conscious or subconscious, overt or covert, and voluntary or involuntary. While some behavior is produced in response to an organism's environment (extrinsic motivation), behavior can also be the product of intrinsic motivat

An adult is an animal that has reached full growth. The biological definition of adult is an organism that has reached sexual maturity and thus capable of reproduction.

anchoring point (of a name) in taxonomy

process specifically pertinent to the functioning of integrated living units

thumb|A crabeater seal injured by a predator

property of organisms that do not possess a means of self-locomotion and are normally immobile

substance or object in the environment required by an organism for normal growth, maintenance, and reproduction

Thermolabile refers to a substance which is subject to decomposition or change in response to heat. This term is often used to describe biochemical substances.

results of sexual differentiation that are intermediate between male and female poles

system of causally interacting parts and processes that produce one or more effects

the ability of elements that are structurally different to perform the same function or yield the same output