Terminology

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a spore forming bacterium that produces crystals protein (cry proteins), which are toxic to many species of insects. Genes from Bt have been added to crops (see GMOs)in an attempt to protect them from insects and reduce pesticide use. It targets only specific insects. Potential risks include making these plants invasive, cross-contamination with other crops, and the crops developing a resistance to Bt. Additionally, it is unknown the effect they may have on the ecosystem and those who consume the product.

www.bt.ucsd.edu

A solution that has a pH greater than 7; capable of reducing the amount of acid in a substance

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The closing of a beach to swimming, usually because of pollution.

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Organisms that live on the bottom of the ocean are called benthic organisms. They are not free

Animals, such as clams, and plants, such as kelp, that live on the bottom of the ocean regardless of water depth. Most plants live in shallow water

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A proposed law, to be debated and voted on.

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Pelagic fish with long, spear - like protrusions at their snouts, such as swordfish and marlin.

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Which would be used if the organic wastes in a litre of polluted water were broken down by decomposing organisms in that water

Able to be broken down into nonharmful substances by the action of living organisms, especially bacteria.

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Waste material composed primarily of naturally - occurring constituent parts, able to be broken down and absorbed into the ecosystem. Wood, for example, is biodegradable, for example, while plastics are not.

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Biodiesel is a vegetable oil-based fuel that runs in diesel engines - cars, buses, trucks, construction equipment, boats, generators, and oil home heating units. Usually made from soy or canola oil, and can also be made from recycled fryer oil (yes, from McDonalds or your local Chinese restaurant).

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A large number and wide range of species of animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms. Ecologically, wide biodiversity is conducive to the development of all species.

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Alternative fuels that are better for earth usually made of organic materials such as corn, cane or reprocessed cooking oils such as biodiesel used for transport

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Living factors such as decomposers, scavengers and predators.

Total dry weight of all living organisms that can be supported at each tropic level in a food chain.

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(1) the amount of living matter in an area, including plants, large animals and insects; (2) plant materials and animal waste used as fuel.

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An ecosystem that covers a large geographic area where plants of one type live due to the specific climate in the area.

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Which is dominated by a particular type of vegetation

The world's major communities, classified according to the predominant vegetation and characterized by adaptations of organisms to that particular environment. MORE?

The biosphere is the living world. It extends high into the atmosphere, to the bottom of the ocean, and deep down into caves. Since the biosphere is so complicated, many ecologists like to divide it up into smaller parts which can be understood more easily; these smaller parts are called ecosystems.

The living part of the planet consisting of a thin layer that extends from just above to just below the earth's surface. The combined ecosystems of the earth

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(1) the part of the earth and its atmosphere in which living organisms exist or that is capable of supporting life; (2) the living organisms and their environment composing the biosphere.

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A part of an international network of preserved areas designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Biosphere Reserves are vital centers of biodiversity where research and monitoring activities are conducted, with the participation of local communities, to protect and preserve healthy natural systems threatened by development. The global system currently includes 324 reserves in 83 countries.

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Living; of or relating to life.

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Biotic factors are the effects which the animals and plants have on each other and on the habitat itself. In an oak forest, the oak trees affect the soil by removing water and nutrients, they affect the climate inside the forest and shelter other things from extremes of temperature etc. and they are a source of food for insect, birds and squirrels. Living things all have an effect on each other but they also have effects on the climate and soil. The climate inside an oak forest is milder than outside because the oak trees provide shelter. Fungi and bacteria in the soil are important because they return nutrients to the soil by decomposing dead plant and animal material.

Preventing birth or reducing frequency of birth, primarily by preventing conception.

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Unhealthy defects found in newborns, often caused by the mother's exposure to environmental hazards or the intake of drugs or alcohol during pregnancy.

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The number of babies born annually per 1,000 women of reproductive age in any given set of people.

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An organic compound and a difunctional building block to several important polymers and polymer additives. It has become controversial because it mimics estrogen and thus could induce hormonal responses (an endocrine disrupter). It is a key monomer in production of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastic, which is clear and nearly shatter-proof, is used to make a variety of common products including baby and water bottles, sports equipment, medical devices, CDs, and household electronics. Epoxy resins are used as coatings on the inside of some food and drinks cans.

Wikipedia

Measurement of light absorption and chemical reactivity and/or thermal stability; consists of soot, charcoal, and/or possible light-absorbing refractory organic matter.

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A group of people with the same interest or goal (usually used to describe a voting bloc, a group of representatives intending to vote the same way).

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The amount of lead in the blood. Human exposure to lead in blood can cause brain damage, especially in children.

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Describes the northern biotic area that is dominated by tundra, taiga, and coniferous forests.

A protein hormone produced in the pituitary glands of cattle. It is also called bovine growth hormone, or BGH. BST can be produced synthetically, using recombinant DNA technology. The resulting product is called recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), or artificial growth hormone. It is administered to the cow by injection and used to increase milk production. Currently Monsanto is the only company that markets recombinant bovine somatotropin, under the trade name Posilac. Use of rBST is regarded as controversial due to its effects on animal and human health and the perceived encroachment on small farmers by large corporations.

Wikipedia

see Mad-Cow Disease

see Bisphenol A

Abandoned, idled, or under - used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.

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see Bovine spongiform encephalopathy

see Bovine Somatotropin

see Bacillus thuringiensis

A formal projection of spending and income for an upcoming period of time, traditionally submitted by the President or Executive for consideration and approval.

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Legislation making changes to existing law (such as entitlements under Social Security or Medicare) so that it conforms to numbers in the budget resolution.

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The first step in the annual budget process. This resolution must be agreed to by the House and Senate. It is not signed by the President and does not have the effect of law, but instead sets out the targets and assumptions that will guide Congress as it passes the annual appropriations and other budget bills.

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Fish and/or other marine life that are incidentally caught with the targeted species. Most of the time bycatch is discarded at sea.

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A devise used to cut bycatch while fishing. These gear modifications are most commonly used with shrimp trawls. They are also called "finfish excluder devices" (feds).

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