Ecosystem - A functional unit that consists of all the living organisms in a particular area, as well as the nonliving, physical components in the environment—such as air, soil, water, and sunlight—with which the organisms interact, and how natural and human-made changes affect these interactions.⏎
Genetics - A branch of biology that studies heredity and variation in organisms.⏎
El Niño-Southern Oscillation Cycle (ENSO) - A combination of two events, El Niño and La Niña, which are periodic disruptions in the ocean’s temperatures. As a result, the temperatures are warmer or cooler than usual, which has an impact on weather patterns worldwide. ⏎
Encephalitis - Inflammation of the brain, often caused by a virus.⏎
Exoskeleton - An external skeleton that protects and supports an organism, in contrast to an internal endoskeleton.⏎