science vocab86 Flashcards
Science
“the search for knowledge”, the systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation; science is dynamic - in a state of change as new discoveries are made
quantitative observation
use numbers or measurements to describe with one or more of your senses; senses may be enhanced with specialized instruments
qualitative observation
describe with one or more of your senses using the qualities of something like color; senses may be enhanced with specialized instruments
inference
logical process by which new statements are derived from known and observed facts; may or may not be true
procedure
steps used in the experiment
analysis
using math to make meaning of the data
controlled variables
keeping all the other variables the same except the independent variable
control
having a treatment in which nothing was done as a comparison for other treatments in an experiment
conclusion
a statement about your discoveries in the experiment
theory
a well supported explanation in science in which some aspects are still not fully understood
hypothesis
an educated guess or prediction that can be tested in science
scientific method
the logical process or series of steps by which scientist gather and verify information
scientific law
facts or a process well documented and understood in science
independent variable
manipulated variable - controlled by the scientist - graphed on the x-axis
dependent variable
responding variable - measured by the scientist - graphed on the y-axis
technology
using science to make useful things
SI
the International System of Units (metric system)
Kilo
1000
Hecto
100
deca
10
deci
.1
centi
.01
milli
.001
Cells
Basic unit of life; smallest structural unit of an organism that is capable of functioning independently
Eukaryotic Cells
Cells that have a distinct, membrane-bound nucleus
Fuel
Something that gives nourishment; food
Molecule
The smallest physical unit of an element or compound, consisting of one or more like atoms in an element and two or more different atoms in a compound
Organelle
A specialized subunit (cell organ) within a cell that has a specific function and is usually separately enclosed with its own lipid layer
Prokaryotic Cells
Cells without a nucleus
Respiration
The process in which nutrients are converted into useful energy in a cell
Thermal Energy
The movement of atoms and molecules; portion of energy that is responsible for a system’s temperature
Alcohol
An organic compound that is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid that can be consumed by humans and in other forms used in thermometers, as a solvent, and as a fuel.
Dietary Habits
The decisions an individual makes when choosing what foods to
Digestion
Process by which food is broken up physically, by action of teeth, and chemically, by action of enzymes, and converted into a substance suitable for absorption into the body.
Respiration
The process in which nutrients are converted into useful energy in a cell; process where organisms take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide
Tobacco Product
processed from the leaves of a plant, it can be consumed, used as a drug, pesticide, and in some medicines.
Toxic Substance
Any chemical or mixture that may be harmful to the environment and to human health if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin
Antibiotics
drug that kills bacteria and cures bacterial infections and diseases
Bacteria
domain of prokaryotes, some of which cause human diseases. Lacks a nucleus.
Disease
An abnormal functioning of the body or part of body, sometimes caused by infections.
Fungi
kingdom in the domain Eukarya that includes molds, mushrooms, and yeasts
Host Cell
Cell of species that is harmed in a parasitic relationship
Microbiology
The study of organisms which are too small to see without a microscope.
Parasite
Organism that forms symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits while the other species is harmed
Prevention
Methods of reducing the likelihood of contracting a disease. Methods of prevention depend on the organism that causes the disease.
Treatment
The response to a disease provided through medical professionals
Unicellular
An organism composed of one cell only
Virus
A particle that cannot independently reproduce yet contains genetic information and can evolve. Viruses may cause disease in the host cell/organism
Antimicrobial
Describing a substance that kills microbes in an effort to prevent the spread of a disease
Epidemic
Occurs when the incidence rate of a disease is higher than expected in a certain area
Microbes
Microscopic organisms
Microbiology
The study of microscopic organisms
Pandemic
An epidemic that spreads across a large area, like a continent
Pathogen
Disease causing organism; “germ”
Vector
Mechanisms or organisms (excluding humans) that spread diseases without showing symptoms
Biotechnology
The use of living systems and organisms to develop or make useful products. For thousands of years, humankind has used biotechnology in agriculture, food production and medicine
Adhesion
the tendency of water to stick to other substances
Buoyancy
the ability of a fluid to exert an upward force on an object that is immersed in the fluid
Capillary Action
the process that moves water through a narrow porous space
Cohesion
the attractive force between water molecules
Insoluble
not soluble; will not dissolve
Polarity
uneven distribution of charges across a molecule
Soluble
having the ability to be dissolved in another substance
Surface Tension
the force that acts on the particles at the surface of a material
Universal Solvent
the quality of water that makes it able to dissolve more substances that any other solvent can
Condensation
the process of warm air cooling as it rises and releasing moisture in the form of a liquid
Evaporation
the process by which a liquid is changed into a vapor from the surface by gaining energy
Groundwater
water located below Earth’s surface in aquifers
Hydrosphere
the portion of the Earth that contains water; all the water on the earth
Impermeable
does not allow water to move through
Infiltration
water that seeps into rocks and between particles of soil; see percolation
Percolation
the downward movement of water through pores and other spaces in soil due to gravity
Permeable
having pores or openings that allow water(or other liquids) to flow through them
Precipitation
the rain, snow, sleet or hail that falls from clouds onto the Earth’s land and oceans
Runoff
is precipitation that flows over land into streams and rivers. This water later enters oceans.
Surface Water
water found on the surface of the Earth
Aquifer
an underground layer of rock or soil that holds water
Drought
a long period of scarce rainfall
Ecological Address
For Raleigh -the Neuse River Basin
Glaciers
a large mass of moving ice and snow on land
Hydrology
the study of water
Icebergs
a large floating mass of freshwater ice detached from a glacier
Reservoir
a man made lake that stores water for human use
River Basin
the region of land drained by a large river and its tributaries
Watershed
the land area that supplies water to a river system from smaller areas
Tsunami
a seismic sea wave
