Life & Earth Science

Question 1

Define the following terms and describe/identify examples of each: Metabolism

Answer 1

The chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life, such as a plant converting sunlight into energy during photosynthesis (Slide: Characteristics of Life)

Question 2

Define the following terms and describe/identify examples of each: Homeostasis

Answer 2

The ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment, like a human sweating to regulate body temperature (Slide: Characteristics of Life)

Question 3

Define the following terms and describe/identify examples of each: Growth

Answer 3

The process by which an organism increases in size or cell number, such as a seedling growing into a mature tree (Slide: Characteristics of Life)

Question 4

Define the following terms and describe/identify examples of each: Development

Answer 4

The progression of an organism through stages of maturation, like a frog developing from a tadpole to an adult (Slide: Characteristics of Life).

Question 5

Define the following terms and describe/identify examples of each: Evolution.

Answer 5

The gradual change in a species over time due to natural selection, such as the adaptation of finches’ beak shapes to their environment (Slide: Characteristics of Life).

Question 6

Differentiate between prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Answer 6

Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, like bacteria, while eukaryotes have a nucleus and organelles, like animal and plant cells (NUCLEUS: pro-NO eu-DO)

Question 7

Explain the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, using the following terminology: sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, oxygen, sugar, stomata, chloroplast, and mitochondria

Answer 7

Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, where sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide (entering via stomata) produce sugar and oxygen, while cellular respiration in mitochondria breaks down sugar with oxygen to release energy, carbon dioxide, and water

Question 8

Compare and contrast the processes of mitosis and meiosis (know the purposes of each)

Answer 8

Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells for growth and repair, while meiosis produces four genetically diverse gametes for reproduction

Question 9

Define: Adaptation

Answer 9

A trait or characteristic that enhances an organism’s survival and reproduction in its environment.

Question 10

Define: Natural Selection

Answer 10

The process where organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce, passing those traits to offspring

Question 11

Define: Evolution

Answer 11

The gradual change in a species’ genetic makeup over generations, driven by natural selection and other mechanisms

Question 12

Define Binomial Nomenclature (know parts of scientific name)

Answer 12

A two-part naming system for species, consisting of the genus name (capitalized) and the species name (lowercase), both italicized, as outlined in the slideshow

Question 13

List and describe the 7 tests used to identify minerals

Answer 13

luster (how light reflects)
streak (color of powder on a porcelain plate)
hardness (resistance to scratching/what can and cant scratch it)
cleavage/fracture (how it breaks)
specific gravity (density compared to water)
Magnetism
Reaction with acid

Question 14

Distinguish between the 3 forms of rock – igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary

Answer 14

Igneous: lava cooling above earth’s surface or magma cooling beneath earth’s surface
Metamorphic: existing rocks altered by heat and pressure
Sedimentary: compacted and cemented sediments

Question 15

Identify the processes by which each type is formed, including the four (or five) step process that yields clastic sedimentary rock

Answer 15

Igneous rocks form by cooling and solidification of magma/lava
Metamorphic rocks form through heat, pressure, and chemical changes
Sedimentary rocks, specifically clastic, form via weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction, and cementation

Question 16

List and describe the four layers of Earth’s atmosphere

Answer 16

Thermosphere (auroras, thinnest air)
Mesosphere (meteors burn up)
Stratosphere (contains ozone layer)
Troposphere (weather occurs, densest layer)

Question 17

Describe the formation of clouds

Answer 17

Collections of small water droplets or ice crystals in the troposphere

Question 18

Distinguish between the three basic cloud shapes: Stratus

Answer 18

Stratus clouds are low, flat, and layered

Question 19

Distinguish between the three basic cloud shapes: Cumulus

Answer 19

cumulus clouds are puffy with flat bases

Question 20

Distinguish between the three basic cloud shapes: Cirrus

Answer 20

Cirrus clouds are high, thin, and wispy

Question 21

Define the prefixes: nimbo-, alto-, cirro-, cumulo-, strato -

Question 22

Define the prefixes: nimbo

Answer 22

nimbo- (rain-producing)

Question 23

Define the prefixes: alto-

Answer 23

alto- (mid-level)

Question 24

Define the prefixes: cirro-

Answer 24

cirro- (high, wispy)

Question 25

Define the prefixes: cumulo-

Answer 25

cumulo- (heaped)

Question 26

Define the prefixes: strato -

Answer 26

strato- (layered)

Question 27

Describe how the common forms of precipitation are created: rain

Answer 27

Rain forms from condensed water droplets falling

Question 28

Describe how the common forms of precipitation are created: freezing rain

Answer 28

freezing rain freezes on contact with cold surfaces

Question 29

Describe how the common forms of precipitation are created: sleet

Answer 29

sleet is rain that freezes into ice pellets

Question 30

Describe how the common forms of precipitation are created: snow

Answer 30

snow forms from ice crystals in cold clouds

Question 31

Describe how the common forms of precipitation are created: hail

Answer 31

hail forms in strong updrafts cycling water droplets into layered ice

Question 32

Distinguish between the four types of weather fronts and the common forms of weather that occur with each: cold

Answer 32

Cold fronts bring abrupt, stormy weather

Question 33

Distinguish between the four types of weather fronts and the common forms of weather that occur with each: warm

Answer 33

warm fronts bring gradual, light rain

Question 34

Distinguish between the four types of weather fronts and the common forms of weather that occur with each: stationary

Answer 34

stationary fronts cause prolonged cloudy, wet weather

Question 35

Distinguish between the four types of weather fronts and the common forms of weather that occur with each: occluded

Answer 35

occluded fronts mix warm and cold air, often causing complex precipitation