Prerequisite Terms + Dimensional Analysis Quiz Flashcards
Kinetic Energy
The energy an object possesses due to its motion (K.E. = 1/2m*v2)
Potential Energy
The energy stored in an object due to its position (U=mgh).
Radioactive Decay
The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.
Half-life
The time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay
Radiation
the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles
1st Law of Thermodynamics (Law of Conservation of Matter & Energy)
The total mass should be a constant inside a closed system that does not allow matter or energy to escape. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
Entropy
A measure of the disorder or randomness in a system
2nd Law of Thermodynamics
Energy transfers lead to increased entropy (disorder) in the system, and energy quality decreases over time
Organism
Any living individual entity that can act or function independently. Carries on the activities of life by means of organs which have separate functions but are dependent on each other
Species
A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
Population
A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area
Community
Different populations of organisms living together in a specific area
Ecosystem
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment
Producers/Autotrophs
Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis
Consumers/Heterotrophs
Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms
Decomposers
Organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms, returning nutrients to the ecosystem
Photosynthesis
The process by which plants convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2) using sunlight.
CO2 + H2O -> C6H12O6 + O2
Cellular Respiration
The process by which cells convert glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2) into carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and energy (ATP)
C6H12O6 + O2 -> CO2 + H2O
Aerobic Respiration
Respiration that requires oxygen, producing more energy (ATP) than anaerobic respiration.
Anaerobic Respiration
Respiration that does not require oxygen, producing less energy (ATP) and often leading to byproducts like lactic acid or ethanol.
CO2 (carbon dioxide)
A colorless, odorless gas produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration.
CO (carbon monoxide)
A colorless, odorless, and toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials.
CH4 (methane)
A colorless, odorless, flammable gas that is the main constituent of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas.
C6H12O6 (glucose)
A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and a component of many carbohydrates.
Hg (mercury)
A heavy, silvery metal that is liquid at room temperature, known for its toxicity.
N2 (nitrogen gas)
A colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of Earth’s atmosphere.
O2 (oxygen gas)
A colorless, odorless gas that is essential for respiration in most living organisms.
O3 (ozone)
A molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, found in the Earth’s stratosphere, and absorbs most of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Pb (lead)
A heavy metal that is toxic to living organisms, historically used in paints and fuels.
SO2 (sulfur dioxide)
A colorless gas with a pungent odor, produced by volcanic eruptions and industrial processes, and contributes to acid rain.
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide)
A reddish-brown gas with a characteristic sharp, biting odor, a significant air pollutant, and contributes to the formation of smog
Adaptation
A trait or behavior that has evolved through natural selection and increases an organism’s chance of survival and reproduction
Mutation
A change in the DNA sequence of a gene, which can lead to variations in traits
Gene
A segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a specific protein or trait
Trait
A characteristic or feature of an organism, which can be influenced by genetics and environment
Chromosome
A structure made of DNA and proteins that contains the genetic information of an organism
Gene Pool
The total collection of genes in a population at any one time
Natural Selection
The process by which organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation
Biodiversity
The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem
Plate Tectonics
The theory explaining the movement of the Earth’s lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates
Extinction
The complete disappearance of a species from Earth
Weathering
The breaking down of rocks, soils, and minerals through direct contact with the Earth’s atmosphere
Rocks
Naturally occurring solid aggregates of one or more minerals or mineraloids
Minerals
Naturally occurring inorganic substances with a definite chemical composition and structure
Climate
The long-term average of weather patterns in a particular area
Weather
The short-term state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind
Biomagnification
The increasing concentration of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain
Combustion
A chemical process in which a substance reacts rapidly with oxygen and gives off heat and light
O2 + hydrocarbon -> CO2 + H2O
Bioaccumulation
The gradual accumulation of substances, such as pesticides or other chemicals, in an organism
Food Chains
A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another
Food Webs
A complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem
Independent Variable
The variable in an experiment that is deliberately changed or manipulated by the researcher
Dependent Variable
The variable in an experiment that is measured and expected to change as a result of the independent variable.
Constants
The factors in an experiment that are kept the same across all experimental groups to ensure a fair test
Control Group
The group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental treatment, used as a baseline to compare results
Validity
The degree to which a test or experiment measures what it claims to measure
Accuracy
he degree to which a measurement or calculation conforms to the correct value or a standard
Precision
The degree to which repeated measurements under unchanged conditions show the same results
