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Science - vocab
Science - grade 9 - vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| variations | differences in characteristics of organisms caused by genetic and environmental factors |
| biological diversity | the number and variety of organisms in an area |
| species | a group of organisms that share similar genetic and physical characteristics; these organisms can inter breed and produce fertile offspring |
| specation | the evolution of different species from a single ancester |
| structural adaptation | an inherited physical characteristic that helps an organism in it's environment |
| behavioral adaption | an inherited characteristic behavior that helps an organism survive in it's environment |
| diversity index | a measure of the biological diversity in an area, calculated by dividing the number of runs in a walk-through of an area by the total number of specimens |
| environment | the area or conditions in which an organism lives; sometimes used to refer exclusively to natural areas on Earth |
| competition | the struggle among individual organisms for access to a limited resource, such as food or territory |
| niche | a habitat supplying the factors necessary for the existence of an organism or species; the conditions that are optimal for survival |
| broad niche | an organism that has adapted to an extensive range of environmental conditions for survival; can live in various different conditions |
| narrow niche | an organism that must have a very specific environmental conditions to survive and only plays a limited role in its habitat |
| generalist | an organism with generalized requirements and adaptations that allow it to survive in variable conditions and depend on a variety of food sources |
| specialist | an organism that is adapted to a very specific environment and having a narrow niche |
| specialization | adaptations for surviving in very specific environment |
| symbiotic | an interaction between organisms of different species living in close proximity to each other in a relationship that lasts over time |
| heritable | a genetic characteristic; one that can be passed on from parent to offspring |
| reproductive strategy | a method an organism uses to reproduce |
| asexual reproduction | the formation of a new individual from a single organism |
| binary fision | the splitting of a single celled organism into two new organisms approximately equal in size; ex: bacteria reproduce through this process |
| spores | a single celled reproductive structure from which an individual offspring develops; plants, algae, fungi, and some protozoa produce spores |
| zoospores | an asexual spore of some algae and fungi that moves by means of flagella |
| meristem | an area of cell division of unspeciallized cells in the tips of roots and shoots that produce new growth in plants |
| clones | an identical copy of a molecules, gene, cell, or entire organism |
| budding | an asexual reproduction process in which a bud forms on an organism, grows, and eventually breaks away away to become a new organism independent of the parent |
| sexual reproduction | reproductive process involving two sexes or mating types, resulting in offspring with genes from both parents |
| zygospore | a single celled reproductive structure formed in sexual reproduction by some fungi |
| bacterial conjugation | direct transfer of DNA from one bacterial cell to another bacterial cell through direct contact |
| zygote | the new cell formed by the process of fertilization |
| pistil | the seed producing, or female, part of a flower |
| stamen | the pollen-bearing organ of a flower, consisting of the filament and the anther; the male fertilizing organ of a flower |
| ovule | the female reproductive structure that develops into a seed-bearing plant |
| pollen tube | in a plant, a tube that grows from a germinating pollen grain and enters the embryo sac in an ovule |
| embryo | the part of a seed that develops into a plant |
| cotyledons | is part of the embryo within the seed of a plant; the first leaves of the seedling; contains the stored food reserves from the seed |
| genetics | the study of genes or inheritable traits |
| continuous variation | is the combined effect of many genes and is often significantly affected by environmental influences |
| discrete variation | inherited traits that have a limited number of variations, such as the ability or inability to role one's tongue |
| dominant trait | an inherited trait that shows up in an offspring |
| recessive trait | an inherited trait that shows up in the offspring only if both parents pass on the genes for this trait |
| mutation | a change in the genetic information, or DNA, of an organism |
| mutagen | an agent that can cause changes in the genetic information of an organism |
| DNA | a molecule that stores genetic information for heritable traits and directs the structure and functions of cells |
| chromosomes | in a cell, tightly packed strands of DNA visible under light microscope during cell division |
| gene | a section of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific protein and function |
| somatic cells | one of the cells that take part in the formation of the body; any cell other than a reproductive cell |
| genetic engineering | the artificial introduction of genes from one organism into the genetic material of another organism |
| biotechnologies | using or modifying living organisms to make marketable products; sometimes involves genetic engineering |
| aquaculture | fish farming |
| domestic | an animal that is no longer wild, but has been bred or tamed by humans to perform various functions |
| artificial selection | technique in which individual plants or animals with desirable traits are bred together to develop plants or animals with specific traits |
| selective breeding | technique in which individual plants or animals with desirable traits are bred together to develop plants or animals with specific traits |
| natural selection | a natural occurring process in which only those organisms with the best traits for survival in an environment will survive to reproduce |
| extripation | the extinction of a species from specific geographical areas |
| bio-indicator species | species that help indicate environmental change |
| seed bank | a collection of genetically diverse seeds |
| global treaties | international agreements between many nations world wide |
| chemistry | the study of the properties of matter and the changes it undergoes |
| caustic | an agent that burns or destroys living tissue |
| homogeneous | a mixture in which particles are uniformly scattered; has a uniform composition |
| heterogeneous | a mixture in which the particles are not uniformly scattered |
| physical change | change in form but not in chemical composition; no new substance is formed |
| chemical change | change in which one or more new chemical substances are formed |
| Law of Definite Composition | compounds are pure substances that contain two or more elements combined together in fixed proportion |
| electrolysis | the process of decomposing a chemical compound by passing an electric current through it |
| element | is a pure substance made up of one type of particle or atom |
| compound | pure substances that are made up of two or more elements chemically compound together |
| atomic nucleus | the center of the atom; contains protons and neutrons |
| proton | the positively charged particles making up the nucleus |
| neutrons | uncharged particles in the nucleus with a mass slightly greater than protons |
| element symbol | symbols for all the known elements |
| chemical family | used to describe a group of related elements that have similar properties |
| atomic mass | is the average mass of an atom of an element |
| atomic number | is the number of protons an element has in it's nucleus |
| periods | the horizontal rows of the periodic table |
| ionic compound | formed when atoms transfer electrons to or from other atoms |
| molecular compound | formed when atoms share electrons |
| chemical formula | uses symbols and numerals to represent the composition of a pure substance |
| molecule | is the smallest independent unit of a pure substance and is generally a cluster of atoms joined together |
| diatomic molecule | are molecules made of 2 atoms of the same element |
| binary compound | a compound made from 2 elements |
| ion | is a particle or group of particles with a positive or negative charge |
| conductivety | is the ability of a substance to carry an electrical current |
| chemical reaction | 2 or more substances that under-go a reorganization of atoms to form other substances |
| reactants | the substances that go into a chemical reaction |
| products | substances produced by a chemical reaction |
| exothermic | chemical reactions that gives off energy |
| endothermic | chemical reactions that absorb energy |
| reaction rate | is a measure of how fast a reaction occurs |
| catalyst | is a substance that speeds up the rate of a reaction without being changed itself |
| enzyme | is a natural catalyst made by living things |
| inhibiter | a substance that slows down chemical reactions |
| corrosion | is the oxidation of metals or rocks in the presence of air and moisture |
| rust | iron oxide, a product of the chemical reaction of iron, oxygen, and moisture |
| galvinization | the process of coating metals in a thin layer of zinc |
| combustion | is the highly exothermic combination of a substance with oxygen |
| nutrients | a chemical in food, used for energy, growth, body building, or cell repair |
| carbohydrates | an organic nutrient made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen |
| proteins | an organic nutrient composed of a chain of amino acids |
| lipids | an organic nutrient that does not dissolve in water |
| vitamins | a molecule that helps enzymes function in the body |
| macronimerals | a mineral that the body requires in the amount of 100mg/day or more in order to maintain health |
| trace element | a mineral that the body requires in the amount of less than 100mg/day in order to maintain health |
| enzymes | a special protein molecule that regulates chemical reactions in living organisms |
| pesticide | a chemical used to control pests |
| herbicide | a chemical used to control weeds |
| insecticides | a chemical used to control insects |
| fungicides | a chemical used to control mold and fungi |
| biological magnification | the process where by chemicals accumulates in the tissues of organisms along the food chain |
| acidic | having a ph below 7 |
| basic | having a ph higher then 7 |
| acids | a chemical that producers an acidic substances, having a ph value of less than 7 |
| bases | a chemical that produces a basic substances, having a ph value of more than 7 |
| indicator | a chemical that changes color to indicate whether a substance is an acid or base |
| litmus | a mixture of plant compounds used as an indicator |
| ph scale | a scale that measures the ph of a substance |
| ph paper | paper saturated in a chemical to show whether a substance is an acid or base |
| acid percipitation | rain or snow containing acid compounds |
| liming | adding calcium carbonate to the environment |
| acid base neutralization | the combining of an acid and base to produce salt water |
| catalytic | a device that encourages complete oxidation during combustion |
| catalyst | a substance that speeds up chemical reactions without being used up |
| oxidation | a chemical reaction in which oxygen combines with other elements to make new ones |
| scrubbers | a device using water or a solution for purifying gases or vapors |
| sorbent | a substance that has the property of collecting molecules of another substance by absorption |
| pollutant | any material, or form of energy, that will cause harm to living organisms |
| pollution | an alteration of the environment producing a condition harmful to living things |
| toxicity | the ability of a chemical to cause harm to an organism |
| chronic toxicity | the ability of a chemical to cause harm to an organism only after multiple exposures |
| LD50 | represents the individual dose required to kill 50% of a population of test animals |
| non-persistant | wastes that can been broken down into non-polluting compounds |
| persistant | wastes that accumulate in the environment |
| biological indicators | a living organism whose state indicates the health of an environment |
| macroinvertabrate | an organism visible to the naked eye with no backbone |
| point source | a specific location where pollution originates from |
| non-point source | a source of pollution with no originating point |
| N.I.M.B.Y. | Not in My Back Yard |
| ground water | water that filters down through the soil and fills space in the ground |
| aquifier | an underground reserve of water |
| biodegradable | able to be broken down by the environment |
| solvent | a substance that can be used to dissolve other substance |
| sanitary landfill | a landfill with waterproof lining and covered in dirt |
| leachate | a liquid that results when wastes decompose |
| secure landfill | a landfill that disposes of toxic or hazardous materials safely |
| bioremediation | using living organisms to break down toxic substances into non-toxic substances |
| static electricity | a charge produced by rubbing or touching objects together |
| unbalanced charges | a more correct term for static electricity, because the charges are not stationary |
| Law of Charges | - unlike charges attract - like charges repel - charged objects attract uncharged objects |
| insulators | material that does not allow charges to move freely on or through them; most non-metals are insulators; ie: rubber |
| conductors | material that allow charges to move freely; most metals are conductors |
| superconductors | material that offers little or no resistance to the flow of charges |
| discharge | electrons either enter an object to make up for a shortage, or an excess of electrons leave the object |
| neutralized | become balanced |
| grounding | connecting an object to Earth with conducting wire to safely re-balance a charge |
| circuit | provides a continuous pathway for charges to move |
| battery | is a combination of cells |
| switch | is used to open or close a circuit to control the current running through it |
| resistor | is a symbol used to represent one of many different loads |
| loads | items along a circuit that convert electricity into other forms of energy |
| amperers | an instrument used to measure large currents |
| galvonometer | an instrument used to measure very weak electric current |
| ammeter | an instrument used to measure large currents |
| potential difference | the difference in energy per unit of charge between one point in the circuit and another point in the circuit |
| voltage | the amount of potential energy between two points on a circuit; the difference in charge between the two points is called the voltage |
| volt | the standard unit for potential difference |
| voltmeter | an instrument to measure voltage |
| resistance | is a property of a substance that hinders motion of electric charge and converts electric energy into other forms of energy |
| Ohm | the standard unit for electrical resistance |
| Ohmeter | an instrument that measures electrical resistance |
| Ohm's Law | R=V/I resistance = voltage / current voltage - is the potential difference between 2 points current - current flowing through the resistance |
| parallel circuits | circuits with several current paths |
| series of circuits | circuits with only one current path |
| branch | each current path in a parallel current; a parallel circuit has a series of branches connected side by side |
| thermocouple | a loop of two wires made of different types of metals that converts heat to energy |
| thermo-electric generator | is a device based on a thermocouple that converts heat directly into electricity without moving parts |
| electro-chemical cell | is a device capable of generating electrical energy from chemical reactions |
| electrode | the 2 metal in a voltaic or electo-chemical cell |
| electrolyte | a substance that can conduct electricity |
| primary cell | a cell that cannot be recharged |
| secondary cell | a rechargeable cell that uses chemical reactions which can be reversed |
| electric generator | a device that converts mechanical energy into electric energy |
| electromagnet | a strong temporary magnet created by inserting a soft iron core into a coil of wire and then passing a current through the wire |
| alternating current | electricity produced in a generator where the current flowing from the generator changes direction regularly |
| dynamo | a generator that produces direct current |
| commutator | a part of the dynamo generator that serves to reverse the induced current as it changes direction making the current flow in only one direction |
| rotor | the rotating core of an AC motor |
| stator | is a 2 pole electromagnet that surrounds the rotor |
| transformers | used to step-up the voltage for efficient transmission of current over long distances |
| circuit breaker | acts like a switch and safety device that can cut all power coming into the home |
| fuse | contains a metallic conductor that melts when excessive current heats it up; this opens the circuit until the fuse is replaced |
| branch circuit | supplies power to one or more wall plugs or lights connected in parallel by cables in the house walls |
| neutral wire | the white insulated live wire in each branch circuit |
| hot wire | black insulated live wire in each branch circuit |
| ground wire | is either bare copper or covered with green insulation; is the third wire in the branch circuit |
| electrical code | a set of standards for all electrical wiring |
| digital machines | machines that process numerically coded information |
| binary code | a sequence of on and off signals |
| transistors | the electronic switches in a modern digital device; solid state components that can be turned on and off by electric signals |
| renewable | can be continually replenished |
| therno-electric plants | plants that burn fossil fuels to produce electricity |
| non-renewable recources | fuels consumed faster than they can be produced by nature |
| open pit mining | mining in which the fuel, such as coal, is uncovered and dug directly from the ground |
| greenhouse gases | gases that help regulate the temperature on earth by holding in the heat from the sun in our atmosphere |
| hydro-electric plants | plants that use water pressure to generate electric energy |
| nuclear fission | the process whereby uranium is split into smaller atoms, making energy |
| thermonuclear | using the energy released in nuclear fission to generate electricity |
| nuclear fusion | the process whereby 2 smaller atoms join into a large atom, producing tremendous energy; how the sun generates energy |
| thermal pollution | releasing unwanted heat straight into lakes or streams |
| co-generation systems | electricity generating stations that produce electricity and also supply thermal energy |
| geothermal energy | thermal energy contained in the inner portions of earth |
| frame of reference | is a set of axes of any kind that is used to describe the positions or motions of things |
| celestial bodies | all objects seen in the sky; sun, stars, moon, planets |
| constellations | groupings of stars that form patterns, which appear like objects and are given names; ie: Orion the Hunter |
| planets | celestial bodies in our solar system that orbit the sun |
| azimuth | is the angle measured clockwise from north when measuring altitude-azimuth coordinates |
| altitude | is the angle measured above the horizon in degrees when measuring altitude-azimuth coordinates |
| altitude-azimuth coordinates | locate a celestial body relative to a fixed Earth (as though the celestial bodies are circling Earth) |
| astrolabe | is a devise used to measure the altitude of an object |
| compass | a device used to measure an object's azimuth |
| Earth centered model | a model of the universe that places earth at the center with the sun, moon, and planets revolving around it |
| Sun centered model | a model of the universe that places the sun at the center with the Earth, planets and moons revolving around it |
| telescope | a device used to magnify objects at great distances |
| objective lens | the large lens at the front of a telescope |
| ocular lens | the lens through which you view a magnified objects using a telescope |
| resolving power | determines the fineness of detail a telescope can produce of an object in view |
| refracting telescope | a telescope that has a lens for the objective |
| reflecting telescope | a telescope that has a mirror for its objective |
| elipse | a figure that looks like a squashed circle; planets in the solar system move in elliptical orbits around the sun |
| universal gravitation | Newton's Law states that all objects attract all other objects and provides an explanation for the planets elliptical orbits |
| spectrum | sunlight, which is white light, is made up of all colors |
| spectroscope | a device that produces a focused spectrum |
| spectral lines | dark lines or bright lines observed in the spectra of stars |
| spectrascopy | the study of spectra spectrum produced when a beam of light is passed through a prism |
| diffraction grating | a device made of thousands of closely spaced slots through which light is passed in order to produce a spectrum |
| spectral analysis | the study of spectra |
| Doppler Effect | the phenomenon that the observed frequency of a wave changes if the source of the wave and the observer are moving toward or away from one another |
| red shift | when spectral lines move toward the longer wave length part (red end) of the spectrum |
| adaptive optics | is the technology that adjusts the mirror of a telescope or adjusts the image of the telescope, to control the effects of the constant changes in earth's atmosphere |
| triangulation | is a method of measuring distance indirectly by creating an imaginary triangle between an observer and an object who's distance is to be estimated |
| astronomical unit (AU) | is the distance from earth to the sun; 150 million km |
| light year | the distance that light travels in one year; approximately 63,240 AU or about 9.5 trillion km |
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