Science Flashcards
Adaptation
the process of change in form, structure or function by an organism in response to changes in its environment
Adaptation
the process of change in form, structure or function by an organism in response to changes in its environment
Air mass analysis
theory of weather based on the concept that large masses of air move within the atmosphere; air masses originating over the continents are dry; those originating over the oceans are moist; warm masses come from the tropics and cold ones from polar regions; boundaries between air masses – where weather is stormy – are called fronts
ampere
unit of electrical current
atmosphere
layer of gases that surrounds the Earth
atom
smallest identifiable part of an element
neutron – uncharged nuclear particle
proton – positively charged nuclear particle
electron – negatively charged nuclear particle
bacteria
the most primitive type of organism
atomic number
of protons in one atom of an element
Big Bang theory
theory of the origin of the universe that holds that about 16 billion years ago, the entire universe began as a tiny volume of extremely dense material that began to rapidly expand, which according to some theorists, is still happening
Biology
the study of life in all of its forms and examples
Boyle’s Law
at a constant temperature, the volume of gas varies inversely to the pressure
Air mass analysis
theory of weather based on the concept that large masses of air move within the atmosphere; air masses originating over the continents are dry; those originating over the oceans are moist; warm masses come from the tropics and cold ones from polar regions; boundaries between air masses – where weather is stormy – are called fronts
ampere
unit of electrical current
atmosphere
layer of gases that surrounds the Earth
atom
smallest identifiable part of an element
neutron – uncharged nuclear particle
proton – positively charged nuclear particle
electron – negatively charged nuclear particle
bacteria
the most primitive type of organism
atomic number
of protons in one atom of an element
Big Bang theory
theory of the origin of the universe that holds that about 16 billion years ago, the entire universe began as a tiny volume of extremely dense material that began to rapidly expand, which according to some theorists, is still happening
Biology
the study of life in all of its forms and examples
Boyle’s Law
at a constant temperature, the volume of gas varies inversely to the pressure
carbohydrates
organic chemicals composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; includes sugars, starches and cellulose; provides energy for cells
carbohydrates
organic chemicals composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; includes sugars, starches and cellulose; provides energy for cells
catalyst
a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction
catalyst
a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction
cell
most basic kind of living organism; genetic material that determines heredity is stored in the nucleus
cell
most basic kind of living organism; genetic material that determines heredity is stored in the nucleus
cell membrane
semi-permeable layer that encloses a cell
cell membrane
semi-permeable layer that encloses a cell
Cellular Biology
the study of cells, which are the basic building blocks of organic existence
Cellular Biology
the study of cells, which are the basic building blocks of organic existence
chemical reaction
changing the ‘inner’ makeup of a material so that it becomes something else
chemical reaction
changing the ‘inner’ makeup of a material so that it becomes something else
Chemistry
study of the composition, structure and properties of substances
Chemistry
study of the composition, structure and properties of substances
chlorophyll
the green chemical in plant and algae cells that contains the mechanism that allows sunlight to be used for photosynthesis
chlorophyll
the green chemical in plant and algae cells that contains the mechanism that allows sunlight to be used for photosynthesis
chromosome
a thread-like structure composed of protein and DNA found in the nucleus of all cells
chromosome
a thread-like structure composed of protein and DNA found in the nucleus of all cells
chloroplasts
parts of plant cells that contain chlorophyll needed for photosynthesis
chloroplasts
parts of plant cells that contain chlorophyll needed for photosynthesis
chromosome
part of a cell’s nucleus that carries genetic information
chromosome
part of a cell’s nucleus that carries genetic information
circulatory system
movement of blood (heart, arteries, veins etc.)
Climatology
study of the long-term effects of weather
Copernican theory
the sun is the center of the universe and the planets revolve around it
compound
material that is composed of separate elements
density
mass per unit volume
desert
ecosystem characterized by sparse life forms, large daily temperature fluctuations
DNA
a cell’s genetic material
dominance
a situation in which an organism has two different genes for the same trait (e.g., color), only one of which has an affect on the developing organism; the gene that has no affect is called regressive
Doppler effect
the increase of frequency of a wave as a result of a source moving toward the observer or the observer moving toward the source; the decrease in frequency if the source and observer are moving apart; astronomers use the Doppler shift to measure the motion of stars
Copernican theory
the sun is the center of the universe and the planets revolve around it
compound
material that is composed of separate elements
density
mass per unit volume
desert
ecosystem characterized by sparse life forms, large daily temperature fluctuations
DNA
a cell’s genetic material
dominance
a situation in which an organism has two different genes for the same trait (e.g., color), only one of which has an affect on the developing organism; the gene that has no affect is called regressive
Doppler effect
the increase of frequency of a wave as a result of a source moving toward the observer or the observer moving toward the source; the decrease in frequency if the source and observer are moving apart; astronomers use the Doppler shift to measure the motion of stars
earthquake
a major vibration / displacement in the Earth’s interior
Earth Science / Geology
study of the Earth’s history as it relates to rocks and rock cycles
Earth’s makeup
inner core – Earth’s sold, iron center
mantle – molten layer below the Earth’s surface
lithosphere – solid part of the Earth near the surface
Ecology
study of intrinsic relationships between organisms and their physical environment
ecosystem
a community of living organisms (plants, animals, insects, bacteria etc) and the physical and chemical environment in which they live.
efficiency
the ratio of useful energy produced by a system compared to the energy used by it
electron
a tiny particle that orbits at a relatively far distance from the nucleus of an atom
element
a basic natural material (copper, gold, carbon)
endothermic reaction
a process whereby heat is transferred and absorbed
energy
In Physics, the capacity for doing work
potential energy – energy that has not been released in an object
kinetic energy – energy that is actually being used (no longer just potential)
mechanical energy – involves the relation of force and matter on an object
energy pyramid
visual aid that show how much energy is lost as ‘higher’ organisms eat their prey organisms
enzyme
a protein that serves as a catalyst in chemical reactions in living organisms
erosion
removal of surface material (rocks, soil etc.) by wind and water action
evolution
process by which species change gradually over time (Darwin – natural selection, Origin of Species)
experimentation
the testing of a hypothesis under controlled and recorded conditions
1st law of thermodynamics
total energy is conserved; in any closed system, the form of energy may change but the total amount of energy cannot increase or decrease(is neither created nor destroyed)
erosion
removal of surface material (rocks, soil etc.) by wind and water action
evolution
process by which species change gradually over time (Darwin – natural selection, Origin of Species)
experimentation
the testing of a hypothesis under controlled and recorded conditions
1st law of thermodynamics
total energy is conserved; in any closed system, the form of energy may change but the total amount of energy cannot increase or decrease(is neither created nor destroyed)
food chain
basically the upward movement of which organisms kill and eat others to perpetuate their existence
food web
for any given organism, what are all of its possible food sources
forest
ecosystem characterized by leafy trees (leaves fall off in winter), warm, rainy summers and cool winters
fossil
preserved remains of ancient life forms
fulcrum
the support that is used to turn a lever
fungi
a kingdom of organisms that includes mushrooms, molds, yeasts and mildews
gene
a part of DNA that controls the production of proteins by a cell; basic unit of heredity, transmitting specific traits from one generation to the next
genetics
study of heredity in organisms
Geography
study of the spatial variation of natural systems & processes, their affect on human societies and cultural activities
Geologic Time
basic large-scale divisions of time from the beginning of Earth’s history to the present (eons, eras, periods, epochs, ages)
glacier
a large mass of compressed snow that flows outward and downward
half life
the time it takes for half of any radioactive material to decay
heat
energy transferred from a point of high temperature to a cooler place
homeostasis
an organism’s tendency to maintain stability by automatically making small adjustments to changes in its environment
hypothesis
a theory or ‘educated guess’ that can be tested and evaluated by using the scientific method of experimentation
igneous rock
produced by solidifying magma
ion
an atom or group of atoms that have an electric charge
lever
a rigid bar that is used to exert pressure and force to move something at its far end
life cycle
all stages of an organism’s existence, from birth to death
magma
molten rock produced by the forces of plate tectonics
matter
mass + volume
Gregor Mendel
cross-breeding of plants (heredity)
Kelvin scale
a measurement of temperature in which zero is the lowest possible temperature - absolute zero
Linnaeus’ system of classification
the ordering of organisms into a hierarchy of categories, according to closeness of relationship; these categories, beginning with the largest are: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species
malleability
the relative softness of a metal; its capacity to be formed, molded, beaten etc. into a specific shape
gene
a part of DNA that controls the production of proteins by a cell; basic unit of heredity, transmitting specific traits from one generation to the next
genetics
study of heredity in organisms
Geography
study of the spatial variation of natural systems & processes, their affect on human societies and cultural activities
Geologic Time
basic large-scale divisions of time from the beginning of Earth’s history to the present (eons, eras, periods, epochs, ages)
glacier
a large mass of compressed snow that flows outward and downward
half life
the time it takes for half of any radioactive material to decay
heat
energy transferred from a point of high temperature to a cooler place
homeostasis
an organism’s tendency to maintain stability by automatically making small adjustments to changes in its environment
hypothesis
a theory or ‘educated guess’ that can be tested and evaluated by using the scientific method of experimentation
igneous rock
produced by solidifying magma
ion
an atom or group of atoms that have an electric charge
lever
a rigid bar that is used to exert pressure and force to move something at its far end
life cycle
all stages of an organism’s existence, from birth to death
magma
molten rock produced by the forces of plate tectonics
matter
mass + volume
Gregor Mendel
cross-breeding of plants (heredity)
Kelvin scale
a measurement of temperature in which zero is the lowest possible temperature - absolute zero
Linnaeus’ system of classification
the ordering of organisms into a hierarchy of categories, according to closeness of relationship; these categories, beginning with the largest are: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species
malleability
the relative softness of a metal; its capacity to be formed, molded, beaten etc. into a specific shape
mass
an object’s weight in relation to its overall size
metamorphic rock
rock that has been changed due to pressure and heat
mineral
a chemically distinct and recognizable component of the Earth’s crust, such as quartz, calcite, biotite, bauxite
mitochondria
parts of a cell’s inner structure that help it to ‘breathe’
mitosis
Process in which a cell divides to produce 2 cells that are exactly like the ‘parent’ cell
molecule
smallest part of an element that is chemically identifiable
momentum
the product of an object’s mass and volume as it is in motion
natural selection
the process by which a species slowly changes genetically over time to produce offspring that are better adapted to surviving in its environment (e.g., a duck’s webbed feet)
nervous system
controls sensory input and motor (movement) output
Newton’s laws
in Physics, pertains to the movement, direction and acceleration of objects; gravity and motion
niche
a specific role that a species plays in an environment
nucleus
the part of a cell that is most important for aspects of heredity (DNA)
orbit
a complete circular revolution of one object around another
osmosis
the diffusion of liquid (a solvent) through a membrane into another, more dense liquid
parasite
an organism that lives on or in a host organism without benefiting the host organism
Periodic Table
a chart that shows the arrangement of chemical elements
photosynthesis
a process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water to sugar and oxygen
physical change
an external change to a material that does not alter it’s basic identity
Physical Geography
study of Earth’s physical features & processes
Physics
study of physical processes and phenomena
plate tectonics/continental drift
a geological theory that describes the surface of the Earth as being divided into several large pieces that slowly over into and away from each other
precipitate
a solid substance that is formed by adding a chemical to a liquid solution
pressure
force per unit area (e.g., pounds per square inch)
pulley
a small, grooved wheel-like tool that can be used with a rope to service as a lifting device
respiratory system
digestive system
excretory system
passage of food internally into the digestive system
passage of food from digestive system to stomach
passage of digested food outside the body (liver, kidneys etc.)
rock cycle
how rocks are created and broken down due to weathering, compaction, heat and pressure, deposition and erosion
rotation
spinning around in a complete circle
savanna
ecosystem characterized by open grassland and scattered trees (e.g., parts of Africa)
scientific method
a controlled, step-by-step approach to comprehensively testing the validity of a theory
sedimentary rock
formed by sediments (mud, clay, sand) by stress, heat and pressure
skeletal system
bones
solution
a contained liquid which is used as the ‘background’ for conducting chemical experiments
species
a group of interbreeding populations that are unable to breed with other populations
symbiotic relationship
mutually beneficial to two different kinds of organisms
taxonomy
system of classifying all living things according to natural relationships, from their most general to their unique characteristics
Kingdom -> Phylum -> Class-> Order -> Family -> Genus Species
tidal patterns
the rise and fall of oceanic waters as they interact with shorelines
tropical rain forest
ecosystem characterized by poor soil, heavy rainfall, dense vegetation
tundra
ecosystem characterized by extreme cold, little precipitation or vegetation & permafrost
volume
3-dimesional physical space
water cycle
how water changes through natural processes (precipitation, evaporation, storage etc.)
water table
the upper surface of ground water, where saturation takes place; a swamp’s water table is at the surface
weathering
disintegration of bedrock as a result of chemical, physical & biological interactions
work
in Physics, the force acting upon an object that causes it to be moved
