Chapter 3 Vocab

Question 1

Matter

Answer 1

Any material that has mass and occupies space

Question 2

Atom

Answer 2

The basic unit of matter; the smallest unit that maintains the chemical properties of an element

Question 3

Element

Answer 3

A chemical substance with a unique set of properties that cannot be broken down into substances with other properties

Question 4

Nucleus

Answer 4

The central core of an atom; consists of protons and neutrons

Question 5

Macromolecule

Answer 5

A large organic molecule; includes proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids

Question 6

pH

Answer 6

A measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution

Question 7

Erosion

Answer 7

The removal of soil by water, wind, ice, or gravity

Question 8

Geosphere

Answer 8

All of the rock at and below Earth’s surface

Question 9

Biosphere

Answer 9

The Earth and all of its organisms and environments

Question 10

Atmosphere

Answer 10

The thin layer of gases that surround Earth

Question 11

Hydrosphere

Answer 11

All of the water – salt water and fresh water, in the form of a liquid, solid or gas—- above and below Earth’s surface and in the atmosphere

Question 12

Crust

Answer 12

The thin layer of rock that forms Earth’s outer surface on land in the ocean

Question 13

Mantle

Answer 13

The layer of very hot but mostly solid rock beneath Earth’s crust

Question 14

Core

Answer 14

The layer of Earth below the mantle

Question 15

Evaporation

Answer 15

A change in state from a liquid to a gas

Question 16

Precipitation

Answer 16

The return of water from the atmosphere to Earth’s in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail

Question 17

Condensation

Answer 17

A change in state from a vapor to a liquid

Question 18

Consumer

Answer 18

An organism that relies on other organisms for energy and nutrients

Question 19

Primary Producer

Answer 19

An organism that can capture energy from the sun or from chemicals and store it

Question 20

Decomposer

Answer 20

A chemical substance with a unique set of properties that cannot be broken down into substances with other properties

Question 21

Cellular Respiration

Answer 21

The process by which organisms use oxygen to release the chemical energy of sugars, producing carbon dioxide and water

Question 22

Photosynthesis

Answer 22

The process by which primary producers use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars, releasing oxygen