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Antibody
A protein produced by B lymphocytes that binds to a specific antigen to help neutralize it.
Antigen
A molecule, usually a protein, that is recognised as foreign by the immune system and triggers an immune response.
Bioaccumulation
Pollutants building up in an organism’s tissues over time.
Biomagnification
Pollutant concentrations increase at higher trophic levels.
Conservation
The protection and management of ecosystems and species to preserve biodiversity and ecological stability.
Enhanced greenhouse effect
Additional warming caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.
Green chemistry
Green chemistry is an approach where chemists design products and processes to minimize environmental impact.
Greenhouse effect
The natural warming of Earth caused by greenhouse gases trapping outgoing longwave radiation.
Habitat change
Any alteration to the environmental conditions of a habitat that affects the organisms living there.
Health
A state in which physical systems function normally, mental well-being is maintained, and individuals can cope with everyday social and psychological demands.
Herd immunity
Protection of a population when a sufficiently high proportion is immune, reducing disease transmission.
Keystone species
A species with an unusually large influence on its ecosystem.
Mental health
A state of emotional and psychological well-being that allows individuals to cope with stress, work productively, and maintain relationships.
Minimum Viable Population (MVP)
The smallest population size required for long-term survival.
Mitigation
Actions that reduce the severity of environmental harm or restore ecosystems after damage has occurred.
Overexploitation
The unsustainable use of a renewable resource, causing its population size to decrease over time.
Pollution
Introduction of harmful substances/energy into air, water, or soil that negatively affects organisms or ecosystems.
Reservoir
Any population where a pathogen can live, survive, and reproduce over time.
Resilience
The ability of an ecosystem to withstand change or recover after disturbance.
Succession
The natural, ordered progression of species recolonizing and rebuilding an ecosystem.
Tragedy of the commons
A situation where individuals or nations overuse a shared resource for personal gain, causing long-term harm to the whole group.