Science Flashcards Preview

Multi-Subject CST > Science > Flashcards

Flashcards in Science Deck (165)
Loading flashcards...
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
Q

cell

A

most basic kind of living organism; genetic material that determines heredity is stored in the nucleus

23
Q

cell

A

most basic kind of living organism; genetic material that determines heredity is stored in the nucleus

24
Q

cell membrane

A

semi-permeable layer that encloses a cell

24
Q

cell membrane

A

semi-permeable layer that encloses a cell

25
Q

Cellular Biology

A

the study of cells, which are the basic building blocks of organic existence

25
Q

Cellular Biology

A

the study of cells, which are the basic building blocks of organic existence

26
Q

chemical reaction

A

changing the ‘inner’ makeup of a material so that it becomes something else

26
Q

chemical reaction

A

changing the ‘inner’ makeup of a material so that it becomes something else

27
Q

Chemistry

A

study of the composition, structure and properties of substances

27
Q

Chemistry

A

study of the composition, structure and properties of substances

28
Q

chlorophyll

A

the green chemical in plant and algae cells that contains the mechanism that allows sunlight to be used for photosynthesis

28
Q

chlorophyll

A

the green chemical in plant and algae cells that contains the mechanism that allows sunlight to be used for photosynthesis

29
Q

chromosome

A

a thread-like structure composed of protein and DNA found in the nucleus of all cells

29
Q

chromosome

A

a thread-like structure composed of protein and DNA found in the nucleus of all cells

30
Q

chloroplasts

A

parts of plant cells that contain chlorophyll needed for photosynthesis

30
Q

chloroplasts

A

parts of plant cells that contain chlorophyll needed for photosynthesis

31
Q

chromosome

A

part of a cell’s nucleus that carries genetic information

31
Q

chromosome

A

part of a cell’s nucleus that carries genetic information

32
Q

circulatory system

A

movement of blood (heart, arteries, veins etc.)

33
Q

Climatology

A

study of the long-term effects of weather

34
Q

Copernican theory

A

the sun is the center of the universe and the planets revolve around it

35
Q

compound

A

material that is composed of separate elements

36
Q

density

A

mass per unit volume

37
Q

desert

A

ecosystem characterized by sparse life forms, large daily temperature fluctuations

38
Q

DNA

A

a cell’s genetic material

39
Q

dominance

A

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
Q

Doppler effect

A

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
Q

Copernican theory

A

the sun is the center of the universe and the planets revolve around it

42
Q

compound

A

material that is composed of separate elements

43
Q

density

A

mass per unit volume

44
Q

desert

A

ecosystem characterized by sparse life forms, large daily temperature fluctuations

45
Q

DNA

A

a cell’s genetic material

46
Q

dominance

A

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
Q

Doppler effect

A

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
Q

earthquake

A

a major vibration / displacement in the Earth’s interior

49
Q

Earth Science / Geology

A

study of the Earth’s history as it relates to rocks and rock cycles

50
Q

Earth’s makeup

A

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
Q

Ecology

A

study of intrinsic relationships between organisms and their physical environment

52
Q

ecosystem

A

a community of living organisms (plants, animals, insects, bacteria etc) and the physical and chemical environment in which they live.

53
Q

efficiency

A

the ratio of useful energy produced by a system compared to the energy used by it

54
Q

electron

A

a tiny particle that orbits at a relatively far distance from the nucleus of an atom

55
Q

element

A

a basic natural material (copper, gold, carbon)

56
Q

endothermic reaction

A

a process whereby heat is transferred and absorbed

57
Q

energy

A

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
Q

energy pyramid

A

visual aid that show how much energy is lost as ‘higher’ organisms eat their prey organisms

59
Q

enzyme

A

a protein that serves as a catalyst in chemical reactions in living organisms

60
Q

erosion

A

removal of surface material (rocks, soil etc.) by wind and water action

61
Q

evolution

A

process by which species change gradually over time (Darwin – natural selection, Origin of Species)

62
Q

experimentation

A

the testing of a hypothesis under controlled and recorded conditions

63
Q

1st law of thermodynamics

A

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
Q

erosion

A

removal of surface material (rocks, soil etc.) by wind and water action

65
Q

evolution

A

process by which species change gradually over time (Darwin – natural selection, Origin of Species)

66
Q

experimentation

A

the testing of a hypothesis under controlled and recorded conditions

67
Q

1st law of thermodynamics

A

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
Q

food chain

A

basically the upward movement of which organisms kill and eat others to perpetuate their existence

69
Q

food web

A

for any given organism, what are all of its possible food sources

70
Q

forest

A

ecosystem characterized by leafy trees (leaves fall off in winter), warm, rainy summers and cool winters

71
Q

fossil

A

preserved remains of ancient life forms

72
Q

fulcrum

A

the support that is used to turn a lever

73
Q

fungi

A

a kingdom of organisms that includes mushrooms, molds, yeasts and mildews

74
Q

gene

A

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
Q

genetics

A

study of heredity in organisms

76
Q

Geography

A

study of the spatial variation of natural systems & processes, their affect on human societies and cultural activities

77
Q

Geologic Time

A

basic large-scale divisions of time from the beginning of Earth’s history to the present (eons, eras, periods, epochs, ages)

78
Q

glacier

A

a large mass of compressed snow that flows outward and downward

79
Q

half life

A

the time it takes for half of any radioactive material to decay

80
Q

heat

A

energy transferred from a point of high temperature to a cooler place

81
Q

homeostasis

A

an organism’s tendency to maintain stability by automatically making small adjustments to changes in its environment

82
Q

hypothesis

A

a theory or ‘educated guess’ that can be tested and evaluated by using the scientific method of experimentation

83
Q

igneous rock

A

produced by solidifying magma

84
Q

ion

A

an atom or group of atoms that have an electric charge

85
Q

lever

A

a rigid bar that is used to exert pressure and force to move something at its far end

86
Q

life cycle

A

all stages of an organism’s existence, from birth to death

87
Q

magma

A

molten rock produced by the forces of plate tectonics

88
Q

matter

A

mass + volume

89
Q

Gregor Mendel

A

cross-breeding of plants (heredity)

90
Q

Kelvin scale

A

a measurement of temperature in which zero is the lowest possible temperature - absolute zero

91
Q

Linnaeus’ system of classification

A

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
Q

malleability

A

the relative softness of a metal; its capacity to be formed, molded, beaten etc. into a specific shape

93
Q

gene

A

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
Q

genetics

A

study of heredity in organisms

95
Q

Geography

A

study of the spatial variation of natural systems & processes, their affect on human societies and cultural activities

96
Q

Geologic Time

A

basic large-scale divisions of time from the beginning of Earth’s history to the present (eons, eras, periods, epochs, ages)

97
Q

glacier

A

a large mass of compressed snow that flows outward and downward

98
Q

half life

A

the time it takes for half of any radioactive material to decay

99
Q

heat

A

energy transferred from a point of high temperature to a cooler place

100
Q

homeostasis

A

an organism’s tendency to maintain stability by automatically making small adjustments to changes in its environment

101
Q

hypothesis

A

a theory or ‘educated guess’ that can be tested and evaluated by using the scientific method of experimentation

102
Q

igneous rock

A

produced by solidifying magma

103
Q

ion

A

an atom or group of atoms that have an electric charge

104
Q

lever

A

a rigid bar that is used to exert pressure and force to move something at its far end

105
Q

life cycle

A

all stages of an organism’s existence, from birth to death

106
Q

magma

A

molten rock produced by the forces of plate tectonics

107
Q

matter

A

mass + volume

108
Q

Gregor Mendel

A

cross-breeding of plants (heredity)

109
Q

Kelvin scale

A

a measurement of temperature in which zero is the lowest possible temperature - absolute zero

110
Q

Linnaeus’ system of classification

A

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
Q

malleability

A

the relative softness of a metal; its capacity to be formed, molded, beaten etc. into a specific shape

112
Q

mass

A

an object’s weight in relation to its overall size

113
Q

metamorphic rock

A

rock that has been changed due to pressure and heat

114
Q

mineral

A

a chemically distinct and recognizable component of the Earth’s crust, such as quartz, calcite, biotite, bauxite

115
Q

mitochondria

A

parts of a cell’s inner structure that help it to ‘breathe’

116
Q

mitosis

A

Process in which a cell divides to produce 2 cells that are exactly like the ‘parent’ cell

117
Q

molecule

A

smallest part of an element that is chemically identifiable

118
Q

momentum

A

the product of an object’s mass and volume as it is in motion

119
Q

natural selection

A

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
Q

nervous system

A

controls sensory input and motor (movement) output

121
Q

Newton’s laws

A

in Physics, pertains to the movement, direction and acceleration of objects; gravity and motion

122
Q

niche

A

a specific role that a species plays in an environment

123
Q

nucleus

A

the part of a cell that is most important for aspects of heredity (DNA)

124
Q

orbit

A

a complete circular revolution of one object around another

125
Q

osmosis

A

the diffusion of liquid (a solvent) through a membrane into another, more dense liquid

126
Q

parasite

A

an organism that lives on or in a host organism without benefiting the host organism

127
Q

Periodic Table

A

a chart that shows the arrangement of chemical elements

128
Q

photosynthesis

A

a process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water to sugar and oxygen

129
Q

physical change

A

an external change to a material that does not alter it’s basic identity

130
Q

Physical Geography

A

study of Earth’s physical features & processes

131
Q

Physics

A

study of physical processes and phenomena

132
Q

plate tectonics/continental drift

A

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
Q

precipitate

A

a solid substance that is formed by adding a chemical to a liquid solution

134
Q

pressure

A

force per unit area (e.g., pounds per square inch)

135
Q

pulley

A

a small, grooved wheel-like tool that can be used with a rope to service as a lifting device

136
Q

respiratory system
digestive system
excretory system

A

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
Q

rock cycle

A

how rocks are created and broken down due to weathering, compaction, heat and pressure, deposition and erosion

138
Q

rotation

A

spinning around in a complete circle

139
Q

savanna

A

ecosystem characterized by open grassland and scattered trees (e.g., parts of Africa)

140
Q

scientific method

A

a controlled, step-by-step approach to comprehensively testing the validity of a theory

141
Q

sedimentary rock

A

formed by sediments (mud, clay, sand) by stress, heat and pressure

142
Q

skeletal system

A

bones

143
Q

solution

A

a contained liquid which is used as the ‘background’ for conducting chemical experiments

144
Q

species

A

a group of interbreeding populations that are unable to breed with other populations

145
Q

symbiotic relationship

A

mutually beneficial to two different kinds of organisms

146
Q

taxonomy

A

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
Q

tidal patterns

A

the rise and fall of oceanic waters as they interact with shorelines

148
Q

tropical rain forest

A

ecosystem characterized by poor soil, heavy rainfall, dense vegetation

149
Q

tundra

A

ecosystem characterized by extreme cold, little precipitation or vegetation & permafrost

150
Q

volume

A

3-dimesional physical space

151
Q

water cycle

A

how water changes through natural processes (precipitation, evaporation, storage etc.)

152
Q

water table

A

the upper surface of ground water, where saturation takes place; a swamp’s water table is at the surface

153
Q

weathering

A

disintegration of bedrock as a result of chemical, physical & biological interactions

154
Q

work

A

in Physics, the force acting upon an object that causes it to be moved