Science Flashcards
What colors are associated with Litmus Paper and what do they represent?
Red= Acidic
Blue = Basic/Alkaline
What numbers represent an acidic level? Basic/alkaline level? Neutral?
Acidic = 1-6
Neutral = 7
Basic/Alkaline = 8-14
What two things contribute to the liquifying of air?
Lower temperature and raising the pressure
What are the most reactive elements on the periodic table?
Metals; Alkali Metals
Describe the Nuclear Fission process?
Releasing energy when a heavy nucleus splits into smaller fragments. All nuclear reactors use this.
Describe the Nuclear Fusion process?
Releasing energy when smaller fragments form to create heavier nuclei. Stars derive their energy from this process.
What are the six types of simple machines?
wedge, inclined plane, screw, lever, wheel and axle, and the pulley
Weightlessness in space is created when…?
centrifugal force (created by orbiting the Earth) is counterbalanced by Earth’s gravitational pull
What characteristic of a wave must change in order to affect the pitch of a sound?
Frequency
What is a wave’s amplitude?
It’s height, the distance between its resting position and its crest
What is wavelength?
Distance between two consecutive points on a wave
Which color of light is the longest?
Red
Which color of light is the shortest?
Violet
Define a lever (Simple Machine)
A rigid point that rotates around a fixed point
What is the purpose of enzymes in the body?
The enzymes are catalysts that help speed up chemical reactions
Name three facts about ozone depletion
1) It was detected over Antarctica
2) It has the potential to change the genetic structure of certain microorganisms
3) It could lead to increases in skin cancer
What are two groups of primitive plants?
Fungi and algae; both lack true roots, stems, and leaves, and fungi lack chlorophyll
How do fern plants reproduce?
They lack seeds and produce by spores
What are gymnosperms?
Cone-bearing plants that possess chlorophyll with seeds exposed on cone scales
What are angiosperms?
Flowering plants that bear their seeds within fruits
What color of star is the hottest?
Blue
What color of star is the coolest?
Red
What two factors keep the planets in their orbit?
Inertia and gravity
What are traits of divergent boundary earthquakes?
Two plates pull away from each other, generally weak and shallow
What are traits of convergent boundary earthquakes?
Two plates push together, generally strong and relatively deep
What are traits of transform boundary earthquakes?
Two plates slip past each other, generally moderate and relatively shallow
What do bacteria need to survive?
Oxygen/Air
What is one effect of a volcanic eruption?
A decline in global temperatures because less of the sun’s energy reaches Earth
What are the traits of a neap tide?
The sun, the Earth, and the moon form a 90 degree angle with each other
Definition: Matter
Anything that has mass and occupies space
What is a solid?
Anything characterized by their ability to retain their shape. Note: All substances become solid if cooled sufficiently
What is a liquid?
Anything that take on the shape of their container, yet cannot be compressed to any significant extent. Constant without evaporation.
Traits of a gas
Expands to fill any available space. Volume is determined by pressure and temperature of the environment.
What is Boyle’s Law
The volume of a gas varies inversely with the pressure, if pressure increases, the volume decreases
Definition: Sublimation
Allows a solid to transition to the gas phase without going through liquid phase. Deposition is the opposite
Definition: Mass
The amount of matter in a chemical substance
Definition: Density
Determined by dividing the mass by volume of a object that is all the same
Definition: Hardness
Various properties of matter in the solid phase that give it a high resistance to its shape changing when force is applied
What are the three definitions of hardness?
Scratch hardness, indentation hardness, and rebound hardness
What is the range of Mohs’ scale of hardness?
1 (softest) to 10 (hardest)
Types of physical properties
Color, form, electrical conductivity, and density
Definition: Physical Change
Going from one physical state (solid, liquid, gas) to another
Chemical Change
When a substance is changed into another chemical substance. Atoms rearrange and makes/breaks chemical bonds
Chemical Reactions
Show the number of molecules or formula units of the reactants and products. Number of molecules must be the same on each side
Atom parts
Core is called the nucleus and it is made of protons and neutrons. Also contains electrons
Atomic Number
Equal to the number of protons in an element
Compound Elements
Formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements in a fixed ratio
Periodic Table Column Traits
Elements with similar properties fall into the same vertical columns to form groups or families
As of 2006, how many elements on the periodic table?
117
Definition: Solution
When foreign substances are dissolved in water
Definition: Mixture
A substance made by combining two or more different materials without a chemical reaction occurring
How do bases feel when acid reacts with metals?
Soapy
What is scientific notation?
N x 10^P, where N is a number between 1 and 10. Can include decimals
Definition: Motion
Constant change in the location of a body, and is described by stating an objects position, velocity, and acceleration
Definition: Velocity
Rate of change of position with time (Velocity= Change of Distance/Change of time
Definition: Acceleration
Rate of change of velocity over time (A= Change of Velocity/Change of Time) Answer is squared
Definition: Gravitation
Natural phenomenon by which objects with mass attract each other
Definition: Magnetism
Displayed by permanent magnets around electric currents.
Note: Like poles repel each other
Newton’s First Law of Motion
In the absence of application of outside forces, a body at rest will stay at rest and a body in motion will stay in motion
Newton’s Second Law of Motion
The acceleration of an object is proportional to the force applied (More force = More acceleration)
Newton’s Third Law of Motion
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
Definition: Simple Machine
A mechanical device that changes the direction or magnitude of a force
Definition: Mechanical Advantage
Results in less force applied over a greater distance. The ratio of output to the input force
Different Forms of Energy
Solar, chemical electrical, magnetic, nuclear, sound, light, and electromagnetic
Definition: Kinetic Energy
Energy possessed by a moving object
Definition: Potential Energy
An object that has an unstable position for the position could be converted into movement (Example: Baseball at the peak height it is thrown)
Three Traits of Energy
Motion, heat, and electricity
Law of Conservation
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed
Definition: Electricity
Form of energy that can be used to produce sound, light, heat, and power
How does electricity work?
When the number of electrons (negatively charged) does not precisely equal the number of positive protons
Definition: Electrical Current
When electrons flow in one direction, the electricity is referred to as a current
Definition: Insulators
Material that is a poor conductors of electricity (plastic, rubber, glass, air, and wood)
Definition: Conductors
Materials that allow electricity to flow easily (Metals like aluminum, iron, nickel, silver, and gold)
Definition: Electric Circuit
The path or circuit an electrical current flows. If the path breaks, then electrons will not move
Definition: Static Electricity
When electrical charges build up or increase on the surface of a material (A surface becomes positively, or negatively charged)
Traits of Light
- Travels in perfectly straight lines
- Can be reflected
- When white light passes through a prism, it breaks into the various colors
Celsius Temperature
0 is freezing, 100 is boiling of water
Celsius to Fahrenheit Conversion
F = (9/5)C + 32
Fahrenheit to Celsius Conversion
C = (5/9) (F - 32)
Definition: Heat Conduction
The spontaneous transfer of thermal energy through matter, from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature (aka DIRECT TOUCH)
Definition: Thermal Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation emitted from the surface of an object (aka gives off heat)
Definition: Convection
When hot air rises over cool air (due to density) convection occurs. Example: Steam rising out of tea kettle
How does an incandescent light bulb work?
An electric current passes through a thin filament, heating it until it produces light
How does a fluorescent lamp work?
A gas-discharge lamp that uses electricity to excite mercury vapor, which produce a shortwave ultraviolet light.
Definition: Refraction
The reason why objects appear bent as light passes from one transparent object into another. Refraction is responsible for rainbows
Definition: Reflection
Occurs when light travels in a straight line
Law of Reflection
For smooth surfaces, the angle at which light is incident on the surface, equals the angle at which it is reflected
Optics and Refraction
Refraction occurs when light waves travel from a medium with a given refractive index to a medium with another index.
Definition: Renewable Energy
Energy that is generated from natural resources, like sunlight, wind, rain, etc.
Definition: Nonrenewable energy
Energy that is generated from finite resources and will eventually dwindle (example, fossil fuels)
What is the most universal process of life?
Reproduction
Types of Fungi
Molds, yeasts, and mushrooms
How do fungi eat?
They are either parasites or exist of waste products and decaying organisms
Definition: Saprophytes
Organisms that exist on waste products and decaying organism
Definition: Lichens
Two organisms, a fungus and an alga, living together symbiotically
Definition: Ovule
In seed plants, the structure that gives rise to and contains the female reproductive cells. After fertilization, the ovule develops into a seed
Ovule and Flowering Plants
The ovule is located within the actual flower and is attached to the funiculus, or the plant equivalent of the umbilical cord
Definition: Photosynthesis
Metabolic Pathway that converts light energy into chemical energy
Photosynthesis Equation
6 CO2 + 6 H2O + Light –> C6H12O6 + 6 O2
Kreb’s Cycle
The process in which sugar made by plants is oxidized that releases energy
Smallest amount of living matter?
The cell
Cells packed together have what kind of walls?
Flattened walls
Is the cell membrane semi-permeable?
Yes
What is the main material in a cell?
Cytoplasm
What does the centrosome do? Where is it located?
Helps with cell division, located in the cytoplasm
What do ribosomes do?
They construct protiens
What is the nickname of the mitochondria?
Powerhouse of the Cell, they help with metabolism
What is a plastid?
A plastid is a plant cell body that contains chlorophyll to help with photosynthesis
What do all eukaryotic cells have?
Nucleus
What are types of eukaryotic cells?
Plant, animals, fungi, algae
What is the function of the nucleus?
To maintain the integrity of the genes and control the cell’s activities by regulating gene expression
Definition: Chloroplasts
Organelles found in plant cells and eukaryotic algae that conduct photosythesis
What do mitochondria produce?
ATP
How are animals and plants classified into phyla?
Based on their cells, tissues, organs, and overall organization
Definition: Digestion
The breaking down of chemicals in the body into a form that can be absorbed
What is the structure in the small intestine that absorbs nutrients?
Villi (small projections)
When does the digestive process start?
With saliva, which helps prepare the food and digestive enzymes
Where does the majority of digestion and absorption occur?
The small intestine
Definition: Circulatory system
Organ system that moves nutrients, gases, and wastes to and from cells, helps fight diseases, and stabilizes body temperature and pH to maintain homeostasis
Do humans have a closed or open circulatory system?
Closed, meaning the blood never leaves the network of veins, arteries, and capillaries
What are the main components of the circulatory system?
Heart, blood, and blood vessels
What is pulmonary circulation?
A loop through through the lungs where blood is oxygenated
What is systemic circulation?
a loop through the rest of the body to provide oxygenated blood
How much blood does an average adult have in their bodies?
5-6 quarts
What are the components of blood?
Plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
What do red blood cells transport?
oxygen and hemoglobin
What is the purpose of white blood cells?
To fight infection
What is the purpose of platelets?
Initiate the clotting necessary to stop bleeding after a wound
What is dissolved into the plasma of blood?
Nutrients, wastes, hormones, antibodies, and enzymes
What is the function of the respiratory system for humans/mammals?
Gas exchange (CO2 for O2) through diffusion
What are the upper chambers of the heart called?
Right and Left atrium
What are the lower chambers called?
Right and Left ventricle
What other organ plays a role in the respiratory system for amphibians?
Their skin
Do plants have a respiratory system?
Yes, it is the opposite of animals (they take in CO2 and release O2)
What is the sensory system?
Specialized structures that initiate a nerve impulse after being affected by the environment
What are the parts of the nervous system?
Brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves that extend through the body
What is a neuron?
A nerve cell with short dendrites that carry impulses to the cell body and a long axon, which transmits the pulse further
What are the parts of the hindbrain?
Cerebellum and medulla oblongata, which operate unconsciously and automatically- in charge of automatic systems like respiration
What is the cerebrum?
The largest part of the brain and receives information from senses and makes conscious decisions (frontal lobe, temporal lobe, etc)
What do autotrophs do?
They produce usable energy, using light from the sun or inorganic material
How do heterotrophs gain energy?
They take in organic compounds from the environment
What is the primary element in organisms?
Carbon
Why is carbon the “basis of life”?
It has great affinity for bonding with other small atoms
What is ecology?
The general science that studies living organisms
What is pedology?
The science of soil
What is the central principle of ecology?
Each living organism has an ongoing and continual relationship with every other thing that makes up its environment
What is a food pyramid?
It illustrates how energy is produced through plants (primary producer), and moves up the food chain through primary (herbivores), secondary, and tertiary consumers, and show the loss of energy
How are nutrients returned to the ecosystem?
Through decomposition
Definition: Biogeochemical cycle
The entire movement of chemicals in an ecosystem
Defintion: Adaptation
Characteristic of an organism that has been favored by natural selection and increases the fitness of its possessor
What are three types of adaptations?
Structural, behavioral, and physiological
What are structural adaptations?
Special body parts of an organism that help it survive (skin color, shape, etc.)
What are behavioral adaptations?
Special ways a particular organism behaves to survive in its natural habitat
What are physiological adaptations?
Systems present in an organism that allow it to perform certain biochemical reactions (making venom, homeostasis)
If the number of species in an ecosystem is higher, then…
the number of stimuli is also higher
What happens when a sub population go extinct in an environment?
Another sub-population disperses into the environment and replaces the extinct one
What is a food web?
An interconnected energy system that demonstrates alternate energy links available to an organism
What is a food chain?
Describe the eating relationship between species within an ecosystem
What is metamorphis?
A distinct change in physical appearance an organism can go through between birth and adulthood
What is the lifecycle of a frog?
Egg–> Tadpole –> Tadpole with legs –> Adult frog –> Egg
What is the lifecycle of a butterfly?
Egg –> Larval/Caterpillar –> Pupa/Chrysalis –> Adult butterfly –> Egg
What is the dominant type of plant?
Flowering Plants
What are flowers actually?
They are the reproductive organs of the plants
What is the purpose of the anther in a flower?
Produces the male gametophytes
How is sperm produced in flowers?
Pollen grains, which attach to the stigma
How do plants reproduce?
Self-pollination or cross pollination
Definition: Asexual reproduction
A form of reproduction that does not involve meiosis (aka fertilization)
What types of cells typically reproduce asexually?
Single Celled organisms, such as archaea, bacteria, and protists
Definition: Meiosis
A process of reductional division in which the number of chromosomes per cell is cut in half
Occurs in all eukaryotes
Definition: Mitosis
Cell division, the division of the parent cell’s genome into two daughter cells
What is the order of Mitosis?
Interphase (duplication) –> Prophase –> Metaphase (pulling of the sister chromatids apart) –> Anaphase (new nuclei are formed around chromatids) –> Telophase (splitting of cell into two with distinct nuclei and chromosomes)
Definition: Phenotype
The observable characteristics of an organism
Definition: Natural Selection
The mechanism by which evolution may take place within a given population of organisms
Who introduced the term “natural selection”?
Charles Darwin
What are the two main types of planets?
Large, low-density gas giants and smaller rocky terrestrials
What are the four terrestrial planets of our solar system?
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
What are the four gas giants?
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Definition: Comets
Small solar system body that orbits the sun, and when close enough to the sun, exhibits a tail
Definition: Asteroid
Bodies (primarily of the inner solar system) that are smaller than planets but larger than meteoroids (excluding comets)
Identification of comets vs asteroids
The comet has a tail, an asteroid does not
Definition: Lunar Eclipse
Darkening of the moon as the earth passes between it and the sun, casting a shadow on the moon
Definition: Solar Eclipse
Takes place when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, with the moon blocking the sunlight for about 2 minutes
