Diploma Review Flashcards
Abiotic factor
Physical, non-living part of the environment
Absorption spectrum or dark-line spectrum
A spectrum that has a pattern of dark lines due to the light passing through an absorbing medium; can used to identify a material
Acid
The substance that donates or loses a hydrogen ion to another substance during a chemical reaction
Acid deposition
Airborne particles containing acids or acid-forming substances contained within precipitation (wet deposition) or that absorb directly into parts of Earth’s surface (dry deposition)
Acid rain
Any form of precipitation (wet deposition) containing an excess amount of dissolved acids; wet deposition with a pH of 5.6 or less
Acquired traits
Traits acquired during a person’s lifetime because of experiences, education, and upbringing
Algal bloom
A rapid increase in the population of algae
Alkaline
Having the properties of a base
Allele
An alternative form of a gene responsible for a trait
Alpha particle
A positively charged particle consisting of two neutrons and two protons, which is a helium nucleus
Alpha radiation
A stream of alpha particles (4/2Helium) emitted from unstable nuclei; one of the three principle types of nuclear radiation
Alternating current (AC)
A flow of charges that reverses directions at regular intervals
Amino acid
One of the 20 possible building blocks of proteins determined by the genetic code of DNA
Ammeter
An instrument that measures the electric current flowing through a component in a circuit
Amniocentesis
A prenatal test done to look at the karyotype of an unborn child
Anaphylactic reaction
A life-threatening, severe reaction of the immune system to an antigen that results in severe swelling and may affect the muscles involved in breathing
Aneurysm
A widening or bulging of a blood vessel due to a weakening of the vessel wall
Angina
Chest pain caused by a narrowing of vessels that supply blood to the heart tissue
Antenna
A transmitter or receiver of electromagnetic energy
Anthropogenic
Coming from human activity
Antibiotic
A drug that fights bacterial infections
Antibody
A protein molecule produced by a B-cell designed to bind to a specific antigen to facilitate its destruction
Antigen
A complex molecule on the surface of an invading pathogen that triggers an immune response
Antioxidant
A substance that prevents the oxidation of another substance; a substance present within the body or other materials that reacts with free radicals to protect important components
Antiseptic
A solution or substance that prevents or inhibits growth of micro-organism
Antiviral drug
A type of medication that controls or cures an infection from a virus
Aorta
The largest artery in the body; carries oxygen rich blood from theft ventricle of the heart
Branches of the aorta form the body’s main arteries, delivering oxygenated blood to all parts of the body
Aqueous solution
A solution in which water is the solvent
Armature
The section of a motor or generator that rotates, consisting of a coil of wire, a rotating shaft, and a commutator
Aromatic ring
Another name for benzene ring