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FCAT Science Glossary

5th, 8th , and 11th grade words!

Terms

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erosion
a combination of natural processes in which materials from Earth's surface are loosened, dissolved, or worn away and transported from one place to another
resource
any material that can be used to satisfy a need
dominance
tendency of certain (dominant) alleles to mask the expression of their corresponding (recessive) alleles
covalent bond
a chemical bond between two atoms of the same or different elements in which each atom shares an electron
biome
a complex biotic community characterized by the interaction of living organisms and climatic factors
first law of thermodynamics
a law that states the internal energy in a system remains constant and the change in thermal energy of a system is equal to the work done on the system
moon phase
a phrase that indicates the fraction of the Moon's disc that is illuminated (as seen from Earth); the eight moon phases (in order)new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, waning crescent
consumer
an organism that feeds on other organisms for food
herbivore
an animal that feeds on plants
light
electromagnetic radiation that lies within the visible range
membrane
a thin layer of tissue that surrounds or lines a cell, a group of cells, or a cavity; any barrier separating two fluids
air resistance
force of air on moving objects
renewable resource
a resource that is replaced or restored, as it is used, by natural processes in a reasonable amount of time
centrifugal
the motion away from center or axis
organism
any living plant, animal, or fungus that maintains various vital processes necessary for life
heat
a form of energy resulting from the temperature difference between a system and its surroundings
species
a group of organisms of common ancestry able toreproduce only among themselves and usuallygeographically distinct
tropism
the motion of an organism or part of an organism toward or away from an external stimulus
trough
the lowest point on a wave
convection
heat transfer in a gas or liquid by the circulation of currents from one region to another crest the peak or highest point on a wave
constellation
a star pattern identified and named as a definite group; usually thought of as forming certain shapes or figures in a specific region of the sky
diffraction
the bending of a wave around an obstruction
abiotic
an environmental factor not associated with the activities of living organisms
prey
an organism caught or hunted for food by another organism
condensation
the process of changing from a gas (i.e., water vapor) to a liquid (i.e., dew); the act of making more dense or compact
chemical weathering
the breakdown and alteration of rocks at or near Earth's surface as a result of chemical processes
deposition
layering matter in a natural process
base
a substance that increases the OH- concentration of a solution; a proton acceptor
gravity
the observed effect of the force of gravitation
ecosystem
an ecological community, together with its environment, functioning as a unit
adaptation
a characteristic of an organism that increases its chance of survival in its environment
energy pyramid
a pyramidal diagram that compares the amount of energy available at each position, or level, in the feeding order
scientific method
a plan of inquiry that uses science process skills as tools to gather,organize, analyze, and communicate information
lever
a type of simple machine; consists of a rigid bar that pivots about a fulcrum, used to transmit and enhance power or motion
speed
amount of distance traveled divided by time taken; the time-rate at which any physical process takes place
protein
a biological macromolecule composed of one or morechains of amino acids
neutron
a subatomic particle having zero charge, found in the nucleus of an atom
plate tectonics
theory of global dynamics in which Earth's crust is divided into a smaller number of large, rigid plates whose movements cause seismic activity along their borders
producer
an organism that makes its own food from the environment; usually a green plant
change of state
a physical change that occurs when matter changes to another state (i.e., liquid, gas, or solid)
heat of vaporization
the amount of heat energy needed to change a unit mass of substance from a liquid to a gas at its boiling point
compound
a substance made up of at least two different elements held together by chemical bonds that can only be broken down into elements by chemical processes
genotype
the sum total of the genetic information contained in an organism
liquid
one of the fundamental states of matter with a definite volume but no definite shape
gas
one of the fundamental states of matter in which the molecules do not have a fixed volume or shape
Sun
the closest star to Earth and the center of our solar system
solar system
a star and all the planets and other bodies that orbit it; the region in space where these bodies move
accuracy
the extent to which a measurement is in proximity to the standard or expected value
second law of thermodynamics
a law that states all natural processes proceed in a preferred direction (e.g., heat flows from high temperatureregions to low temperature regions)
velocity
the time-rate at which a body changes its position; defined as displacement divided by the time of travel
mid-ocean ridge
a continuous, seismic mountain range extending across the loor of the world's major oceans, area where two oceanic plates are moving away from each other, area where new crustal material may be released floor of the world's major oceans, area where two oceanic plates are moving away from each other, area where new crustal material may be released
solar mass
the quantity equal to the mass of the Sun
precision
the degree of accuracy or exactness of a measurement or tool
moon
a natural satellite that revolves around a planet
frequency
the number of cycles or waves per unit time
microscopic
relating to an object too small to be visible without the use of a microscope
ecosystem
an integrated unit of a biological community, its physical environment, and interactions
planet
a large body in space that orbits a star and does not produce light of its own
star
a large, gaseous, self-luminous body held together by gravity and powered by thermonuclear reactions
metamorphic rock
a type of rock that forms from existing rock because of extreme changes caused by heat, pressure, or chemical environments
prism
a piece of glass with polished plane surfaces that disperses a beam of white light into its component colors
crest
the peak or highest point on a wave
phenotype
the appearance or other observable characteristic of an organism resulting from the interaction of its genetic makeup and its environment
carnivore
an animal or plant that consumes or obtains nutrients from animals
niche
the unique position occupied by a particular species in terms of the area it inhabits and the function it performs within the community
volume
a measure of the amount of space an object takes up; also the loudness of a sound or signal
efficiency
the relative effectiveness of a system or device determined by comparing input and output
earthquake
the shaking of the ground caused by a sudden release of energy in Earth's crust
atomic number
the number of protons in an atom's nucleus; the atomic number determines an element's placement on the periodic table
Kelvin
fundamental SI unit of temperature where zero degrees Kelvin is equal to absolute zero (One degree Kelvin equals one degree Celsius.)
axis
the imaginary line on which an object rotates (e.g., Earth's axis runs through Earth between the North Pole and the South Pole); an imaginary straight line that runs through a body; a reference to theline in a coordinate system or graph
isotope
the form of an element with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons
protist
unicellular organisms belonging to the kingdom Protista
half-life
the amount of time required for half of an original sample of radioactive material to decay or undergo radioactive transformation
system
a set of objects, organisms, or different parts acting to form a whole
vector
a physical quantity with both a magnitude and direction
pulley
a type of simple machine; a circular lever, usually a wheel with a groove where a rope can be placed and used to change the direction of a force
conduction
the transmission of heat through a medium and without the
mitosis
a process of nuclear division in eukaryotic cells during which the nucleus of a cell divides into two nuclei, each with the same number of chromosomes
acceleration
rate of change in velocity, usually expressed in meters per second; involves an increase or decrease in speed and/or a change in direction
igneous rock
a type of rock that forms from molten or partly molten material that cools and hardens
entropy
a measure of randomness or disorder of a closed system
experiment
a procedure that is carried out and repeated under controlled conditions in order to discover, demonstrate, or test a hypothesis; includes all components of the scientific method
tissue
similar cells acting to perform a specific function; four basic types of tissue are muscle, connective, nerve, and epidermal
atom
the smallest unit of a chemical element that can still retain the properties of that element
friction
a force that opposes the relative motion of two material surfaces in contact with one another
topography
the surface, shape, and composition of a land area
vibration
a repetitive movement around an equilibrium point
nonrenewable resource
a resource that can only be replenished over millions of years
neap tide
a twice-monthly tide of minimal range that occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are at right angles to each other, thus decreasing the total tidal force exerted on Earth
molecule
the smallest unit of matter of a substance that retains all the physical and chemical properties of that substance; consists of a single atom or a group of atoms bonded together
wedge
a type of simple machine that consists of an inclined plane used to separate two objects
inclined plane
a type of simple machine; a slanted surface that makes it easier to move a mass from a lower point to a higher point
velocity
the time rate at which a body changes its position vector;quantity whose magnitude is expressed in units of distanceover time
asexual reproduction
a form of reproduction in which new individuals are formed without the involvement of gametes
predator
an organism that preys on and consumes animals; usually an animal
independent variable
the factor that is changed in an experiment in order to study changes in the dependent variable
conservation of energy
a fundamental principle stating energy cannot be created nor destroyed but only changed from one form to another
rate of reaction
the speed at which reactants are consumed and productsare produced in a given reaction
acid
a substance that increases the H+ concentration when added to a water solution
energy transfer
a change of energy from one form to another (e.g., mechanical, electrical, solar to electrical) to environment the sum of conditions affecting an organism, including all living and nonliving things in an area, such as plants, animals, water, soil, weather, landforms, and air
electromagnetic waves
waves generated by the oscillation of a charged particle and characterized by periodic variations of electric and magnetic fields
permeability
the capability of a porous substance or membrane to allow a fluid or gas to enter it; the measure or degree to which a substance can be penetrated by a liquid or gas
refraction
a change in the direction of a wave that occurs as it passes from one medium to another of different density
universe
the total sum of all matter and energy that exists
rift valley
a long, narrow valley in Earth's crust where twocontinental plates are separating or between two faults
gravitation
a force of attraction between two masses
momentum
a vector quantity that is the product of an object's mass and velocity; the general effect of ongoing motion
investigation
a procedure that is carried out in order to observe a response caused by a stimulus; not a complete experiment
aqueous
a solution containing water
organ
a structure containing different tissues that are organized to carry out a specific function of the body (e.g., heart, lungs, brain, etc.)
adaptation
a particular development, behavior, or physiological change in a population of organisms, in response to changes in the populations
astronomical unit
the average distance from Earth to the Sun, approximately 150 million kilometers
volcano
a vent or fissure in Earth's surface through which magma and its associated materials are expelled; generally a mountain-like structure
chemical change
a reaction or a change in a substance produced by chemical means that results in producing a different chemical
nuclear fission
the process by which an atomic nucleus splits into two or more large fragments of comparable mass, simultaneously producing additional neutrons and vast amounts of energy
magnetic field
the region where magnetic force exists around magnets or electric currents
fulcrum
the pivot point of a lever
heterozygous
cell or organism that has two different alleles for a particular trait
DNA
a nucleic acid that carries genetic material; present in all cellular organisms
atmosphere
the layers of gas that surround Earth, other planets, or stars
product
a substance or compound resulting from a chemicalreaction
variable
an event, condition, or factor that can be changed or controlled in order to study or test a hypothesis in a scientific experiment
proton
a subatomic particle having a positive charge and which is found in the nucleus of an atom
reactant
any substance or molecule that participates in a chemicalreaction
deposition
the process by which sediment is carried by forces (e.g., wind
natural selection
the theory stating every organism displays slight variations from other organisms of its kind, and the struggle for limited natural resources results in individuals with certain natural variations adapted to their specific environments
wheel and axle
a type of simple machine that consists of a rod driven through the center of a cylinder that is allowed to rotate freely, yielding a mechanical advantage equal to the cylinder's diameter
decomposer
any organism that feeds or obtains nutrients by breaking down organic matter from dead organisms
food chain
transfer of energy through various stages as a result of feeding patterns of a series of organisms food web (food cycle) the interconnected feeding relationships in a food chain found in a
inertia
the property of an object, due to its mass, by which it resists any change in its position unless overcome by force
galaxy
a large collection of stars, gases, and dust that are part of the universe (e.g., the Milky Way galaxy) bound together by gravitational forces
weathering
the natural processes that break down and change rock into soil,sand, and other materials; differs from erosion in that no transportation of those materials takes place
wavelength
the distance between crests of a wave
recessive
an allele for a trait that will be masked unless the organism is homozygous for this trait
dependent variable
factor being measured or observed in an experiment
pollution
any alteration of the natural environment producing a condition harmful to living organisms; may occur naturally or as a result of human activities
meiosis
the process of nuclear division in cells during which the number of chromosomes is reduced by half
physical change
a reaction; a change in matter from one form to another, without forming new substances
diffraction
the change in direction of a wave caused by passing by an obstacle or traveling through an opening
pH
a symbol for the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution
fossil
a whole or part of a plant or animal that has been preserved in sedimentary rock
life cycle
the entire sequence of events in an organism's growth and development
radiation
emission of energy in the form of rays or waves
reflection
the bouncing off or turning back of light, sound, or heat from a surface
allele
any of two or more alternate forms of a gene that an organism may have for a particular trait
inertia
the property of a body, due to its mass, that causes it to resist any change in its motion unless overcome by a force
solution
a mixture of two or more substances uniformly dispersed throughout a single phase
mixture
the product of a thorough blending of two or more substances, not chemically combined
mass
the amount of matter an object contains
compound
a substance made up of a combination of two or more elements held together by chemical bonds that cannot be separated by physical means; has properties unlike those of the elements that make up the compound
mass number
the total number of protons and neutrons in a nucleus
energy
a quantity that describes the capacity to do work; a source of usable power
catalys
a substance that speeds up or slows down the rate of a reaction without being consumed or altered
stimulus
a condition that produces a response
nuclear fusion
the process by which two lighter atomic nuclei combine at extremely high temperatures to form a heavier nucleus and release vast amounts of energy
habitat
a place in an ecosystem where an organism normally lives
food web (food cycle)
the interconnected feeding relationships in a food chain found in a particular place and time
water cycle
the path water takes as it is being cycled through the environment,
activation energy
the least amount of energy required to start a particular chemical reaction
matter
a solid, liquid, or gas that possesses inertia and is capable of occupying space
potential energy
the energy an object has because of its position or structure; stored energy
nucleus
the center region of an atom where protons and neutrons are located; also a cell structure that contains the cell's genetic material
solid
having a definite shape and a definite volume; one of the fundamental states of matter
fossil fuels
the remains of animal or plant life from past geologic ages that are now in a form suitable for use as a fuel (e.g., oil, coal, or natural gas)
calorie
unit of energy; the amount of heat needed to raise one gram of water one degree Celsius at standard atmospheric pressure
ocean basin
a depression on the surface of Earth occupied by water
evaporation
the process by which a liquid is converted to its vapor phase by heating the liquid
solubility
the ability or tendency of one substance to dissolve inanother at a given temperature and pressure
amplitude
in any periodic function (e.g., a wave) the maximum absolute variation of the function
sedimentary rock
rock formed from layers of sediment that overlay and squeeze together or are chemically combined
density
concentration of matter of an object; number of individuals in the same species that live in a given area; the mass per unit volume of a substance in a given area
convergent boundary
area where two tectonic plates collide
heat of fusion
the amount of heat energy required to convert a unit mass of substance from a solid to a liquid through melting at a constant temperature and pressure
potential energy
energy stored in an object due to the object's configuration and position
amino acids
an organic molecule containing an amino (-NH2) and a carboxyl (-COOH) group from which proteins are synthesized
neutral
a particle, object, or system that lacks a net charge
community
all the populations of organisms belonging to different species and sharing the same geographical area
succession
the progressive replacement, on a single site, of one typeof community by another
virus
a noncellular, disease-causing particle that uses the genetic material from its host to reproduce
population
a group of organisms of the same species living in a specific geographical area
centripetal force
the force on an object required to keep this object on a circular path, pulling toward the center of the circle
erosion
the wearing away of Earth's surface by the breakdown and transportation of rock and soil
element
a substance that cannot be reduced to a simpler substance by chemical means
photosynthesis
a chemical process by which plants trap light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates (sugars)
fault
a rock fracture along which movement or displacement of Earth's crust has taken place
concentration
the relative amount of a particular substance, a solute, or mixture
crust
outermost layer of Earth covering the mantle
spectroscope
an instrument that uses a prism to separate and catalog light wavelengths
kinetic energy
the energy possessed by a body because of its motion
wheel and axle
a type of simple machine; a circular frame or disk revolving around a central axis
biodiversity
the existence of a wide range of different species in a given area or specific period of time
electromagnetic radiation
the emission and propagation of the entire range of electromagnetic spectrum including gamma rays, x-rays,ultraviolet radiation, visible light, microwaves, and radio waves
magnetic
having the property of attracting iron and certain other materials by virtue of a surrounding field of force
thermal energy
internal energy found by adding the kinetic energy of particles making up a substance
conservation
controlled use and/or maintenance of natural resources; various efforts to preserve or protect natural resources efforts to preserve or protect natural resources
conservation of mass
the principle that mass cannot be created or destroyed; also conservation of matter
electromagnet
a magnet consisting of a coil of wire wrapped around a core that becomes strongly magnetized when current flows through the coil producing a magnetic field
RNA
a single-stranded nucleic acid consisting of a phosphategroup and one of four nitrogenous bases that encodesinformation needed to synthesize proteins
mutation
the process by which a gene undergoes a change in DNA sequence or a structural change
biotic
factors in an environment relating to, caused by, or produced by living organisms
mass
the amount of matter an object contains
pressure
the force exerted per unit area
sexual reproduction
reproduction involving the union of gametes producing an offspring with traits from both parents
force
a quality that tends to produce movement or acceleration of a body in the direction of its application; a push or pull
gene
a specific part of a chromosome or sequence of DNA that determines a particular feature or characteristic in an organism
screw
a type of simple machine that consists of an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder
spring tide
the tide of increased range that occurs twice monthly at the new and full phases of the Moon
indicator
a chemical compound that changes color depending on the pH of the solution or other chemical change
electron
a stable elementary particle that is negatively charged and orbits the nucleus of an atom
Punnett square
a graphic checkboard used to determine results from a particular genetic cross
circuit
an interconnection of electrical elements forming a complete path for the flow of currentconduction the transmission of heat through a medium and without the motion of the medium
homozygous
cell or organism that has identical rather than different alleles for a particular trait

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