Science Flashcards
(165 cards)
1
Q
Adaptation
A
the process of change in form, structure or function by an organism in response to changes in its environment
2
Q
Adaptation
A
the process of change in form, structure or function by an organism in response to changes in its environment
3
Q
Air mass analysis
A
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
4
Q
ampere
A
unit of electrical current
5
Q
atmosphere
A
layer of gases that surrounds the Earth
6
Q
atom
A
smallest identifiable part of an element
neutron – uncharged nuclear particle
proton – positively charged nuclear particle
electron – negatively charged nuclear particle
7
Q
bacteria
A
the most primitive type of organism
8
Q
atomic number
A
of protons in one atom of an element
9
Q
Big Bang theory
A
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
10
Q
Biology
A
the study of life in all of its forms and examples
11
Q
Boyle’s Law
A
at a constant temperature, the volume of gas varies inversely to the pressure
12
Q
Air mass analysis
A
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
13
Q
ampere
A
unit of electrical current
14
Q
atmosphere
A
layer of gases that surrounds the Earth
15
Q
atom
A
smallest identifiable part of an element
neutron – uncharged nuclear particle
proton – positively charged nuclear particle
electron – negatively charged nuclear particle
16
Q
bacteria
A
the most primitive type of organism
17
Q
atomic number
A
of protons in one atom of an element
18
Q
Big Bang theory
A
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
19
Q
Biology
A
the study of life in all of its forms and examples
20
Q
Boyle’s Law
A
at a constant temperature, the volume of gas varies inversely to the pressure
21
Q
carbohydrates
A
organic chemicals composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; includes sugars, starches and cellulose; provides energy for cells
21
Q
carbohydrates
A
organic chemicals composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; includes sugars, starches and cellulose; provides energy for cells
22
Q
catalyst
A
a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction
22
Q
catalyst
A
a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction
23
cell
most basic kind of living organism; genetic material that determines heredity is stored in the nucleus
23
cell
most basic kind of living organism; genetic material that determines heredity is stored in the nucleus
24
cell membrane
semi-permeable layer that encloses a cell
24
cell membrane
semi-permeable layer that encloses a cell
25
Cellular Biology
the study of cells, which are the basic building blocks of organic existence
25
Cellular Biology
the study of cells, which are the basic building blocks of organic existence
26
chemical reaction
changing the ‘inner’ makeup of a material so that it becomes something else
26
chemical reaction
changing the ‘inner’ makeup of a material so that it becomes something else
27
Chemistry
study of the composition, structure and properties of substances
27
Chemistry
study of the composition, structure and properties of substances
28
chlorophyll
the green chemical in plant and algae cells that contains the mechanism that allows sunlight to be used for photosynthesis
28
chlorophyll
the green chemical in plant and algae cells that contains the mechanism that allows sunlight to be used for photosynthesis
29
chromosome
a thread-like structure composed of protein and DNA found in the nucleus of all cells
29
chromosome
a thread-like structure composed of protein and DNA found in the nucleus of all cells
30
chloroplasts
parts of plant cells that contain chlorophyll needed for photosynthesis
30
chloroplasts
parts of plant cells that contain chlorophyll needed for photosynthesis
31
chromosome
part of a cell’s nucleus that carries genetic information
31
chromosome
part of a cell’s nucleus that carries genetic information
32
circulatory system
movement of blood (heart, arteries, veins etc.)
33
Climatology
study of the long-term effects of weather
34
Copernican theory
the sun is the center of the universe and the planets revolve around it
35
compound
material that is composed of separate elements
36
density
mass per unit volume
37
desert
ecosystem characterized by sparse life forms, large daily temperature fluctuations
38
DNA
a cell’s genetic material
39
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
40
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
41
Copernican theory
the sun is the center of the universe and the planets revolve around it
42
compound
material that is composed of separate elements
43
density
mass per unit volume
44
desert
ecosystem characterized by sparse life forms, large daily temperature fluctuations
45
DNA
a cell’s genetic material
46
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
47
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
48
earthquake
a major vibration / displacement in the Earth’s interior
49
Earth Science / Geology
study of the Earth’s history as it relates to rocks and rock cycles
50
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
51
Ecology
study of intrinsic relationships between organisms and their physical environment
52
ecosystem
a community of living organisms (plants, animals, insects, bacteria etc) and the physical and chemical environment in which they live.
53
efficiency
the ratio of useful energy produced by a system compared to the energy used by it
54
electron
a tiny particle that orbits at a relatively far distance from the nucleus of an atom
55
element
a basic natural material (copper, gold, carbon)
56
endothermic reaction
a process whereby heat is transferred and absorbed
57
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
58
energy pyramid
visual aid that show how much energy is lost as ‘higher’ organisms eat their prey organisms
59
enzyme
a protein that serves as a catalyst in chemical reactions in living organisms
60
erosion
removal of surface material (rocks, soil etc.) by wind and water action
61
evolution
process by which species change gradually over time (Darwin – natural selection, Origin of Species)
62
experimentation
the testing of a hypothesis under controlled and recorded conditions
63
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)
64
erosion
removal of surface material (rocks, soil etc.) by wind and water action
65
evolution
process by which species change gradually over time (Darwin – natural selection, Origin of Species)
66
experimentation
the testing of a hypothesis under controlled and recorded conditions
67
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)
68
food chain
basically the upward movement of which organisms kill and eat others to perpetuate their existence
69
food web
for any given organism, what are all of its possible food sources
70
forest
ecosystem characterized by leafy trees (leaves fall off in winter), warm, rainy summers and cool winters
71
fossil
preserved remains of ancient life forms
72
fulcrum
the support that is used to turn a lever
73
fungi
a kingdom of organisms that includes mushrooms, molds, yeasts and mildews
74
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
75
genetics
study of heredity in organisms
76
Geography
study of the spatial variation of natural systems & processes, their affect on human societies and cultural activities
77
Geologic Time
basic large-scale divisions of time from the beginning of Earth’s history to the present (eons, eras, periods, epochs, ages)
78
glacier
a large mass of compressed snow that flows outward and downward
79
half life
the time it takes for half of any radioactive material to decay
80
heat
energy transferred from a point of high temperature to a cooler place
81
homeostasis
an organism’s tendency to maintain stability by automatically making small adjustments to changes in its environment
82
hypothesis
a theory or ‘educated guess’ that can be tested and evaluated by using the scientific method of experimentation
83
igneous rock
produced by solidifying magma
84
ion
an atom or group of atoms that have an electric charge
85
lever
a rigid bar that is used to exert pressure and force to move something at its far end
86
life cycle
all stages of an organism’s existence, from birth to death
87
magma
molten rock produced by the forces of plate tectonics
88
matter
mass + volume
89
Gregor Mendel
cross-breeding of plants (heredity)
90
Kelvin scale
a measurement of temperature in which zero is the lowest possible temperature - absolute zero
91
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
92
malleability
the relative softness of a metal; its capacity to be formed, molded, beaten etc. into a specific shape
93
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
94
genetics
study of heredity in organisms
95
Geography
study of the spatial variation of natural systems & processes, their affect on human societies and cultural activities
96
Geologic Time
basic large-scale divisions of time from the beginning of Earth’s history to the present (eons, eras, periods, epochs, ages)
97
glacier
a large mass of compressed snow that flows outward and downward
98
half life
the time it takes for half of any radioactive material to decay
99
heat
energy transferred from a point of high temperature to a cooler place
100
homeostasis
an organism’s tendency to maintain stability by automatically making small adjustments to changes in its environment
101
hypothesis
a theory or ‘educated guess’ that can be tested and evaluated by using the scientific method of experimentation
102
igneous rock
produced by solidifying magma
103
ion
an atom or group of atoms that have an electric charge
104
lever
a rigid bar that is used to exert pressure and force to move something at its far end
105
life cycle
all stages of an organism’s existence, from birth to death
106
magma
molten rock produced by the forces of plate tectonics
107
matter
mass + volume
108
Gregor Mendel
cross-breeding of plants (heredity)
109
Kelvin scale
a measurement of temperature in which zero is the lowest possible temperature - absolute zero
110
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
111
malleability
the relative softness of a metal; its capacity to be formed, molded, beaten etc. into a specific shape
112
mass
an object’s weight in relation to its overall size
113
metamorphic rock
rock that has been changed due to pressure and heat
114
mineral
a chemically distinct and recognizable component of the Earth’s crust, such as quartz, calcite, biotite, bauxite
115
mitochondria
parts of a cell’s inner structure that help it to ‘breathe’
116
mitosis
Process in which a cell divides to produce 2 cells that are exactly like the ‘parent’ cell
117
molecule
smallest part of an element that is chemically identifiable
118
momentum
the product of an object’s mass and volume as it is in motion
119
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)
120
nervous system
controls sensory input and motor (movement) output
121
Newton’s laws
in Physics, pertains to the movement, direction and acceleration of objects; gravity and motion
122
niche
a specific role that a species plays in an environment
123
nucleus
the part of a cell that is most important for aspects of heredity (DNA)
124
orbit
a complete circular revolution of one object around another
125
osmosis
the diffusion of liquid (a solvent) through a membrane into another, more dense liquid
126
parasite
an organism that lives on or in a host organism without benefiting the host organism
127
Periodic Table
a chart that shows the arrangement of chemical elements
128
photosynthesis
a process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water to sugar and oxygen
129
physical change
an external change to a material that does not alter it’s basic identity
130
Physical Geography
study of Earth’s physical features & processes
131
Physics
study of physical processes and phenomena
132
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
133
precipitate
a solid substance that is formed by adding a chemical to a liquid solution
134
pressure
force per unit area (e.g., pounds per square inch)
135
pulley
a small, grooved wheel-like tool that can be used with a rope to service as a lifting device
136
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.)
137
rock cycle
how rocks are created and broken down due to weathering, compaction, heat and pressure, deposition and erosion
138
rotation
spinning around in a complete circle
139
savanna
ecosystem characterized by open grassland and scattered trees (e.g., parts of Africa)
140
scientific method
a controlled, step-by-step approach to comprehensively testing the validity of a theory
141
sedimentary rock
formed by sediments (mud, clay, sand) by stress, heat and pressure
142
skeletal system
bones
143
solution
a contained liquid which is used as the ‘background’ for conducting chemical experiments
144
species
a group of interbreeding populations that are unable to breed with other populations
145
symbiotic relationship
mutually beneficial to two different kinds of organisms
146
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
147
tidal patterns
the rise and fall of oceanic waters as they interact with shorelines
148
tropical rain forest
ecosystem characterized by poor soil, heavy rainfall, dense vegetation
149
tundra
ecosystem characterized by extreme cold, little precipitation or vegetation & permafrost
150
volume
3-dimesional physical space
151
water cycle
how water changes through natural processes (precipitation, evaporation, storage etc.)
152
water table
the upper surface of ground water, where saturation takes place; a swamp’s water table is at the surface
153
weathering
disintegration of bedrock as a result of chemical, physical & biological interactions
154
work
in Physics, the force acting upon an object that causes it to be moved
