Weather
weather: state of the atmosphere at a given time and place with respect to wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, and pressure; daily or hourly conditions
meteorologist: scientist who studies weather
Sun: the driving force of weather
temperature: degrees warm or cold; influenced by cloud cover
wind speed: changes as air pressure changes
wind direction: reported by the direction from which wind originates; prevailing westerly winds blow from the west to the east
precipitation: form of water that falls from the clouds to the Earth
barometric (air) pressure: weight of the air above the surface of the Earth, applies pressure on objects
cloud cover: fraction of the sky covered by clouds; cloudy, partly cloudy, partly Sunny
thermometer: instrument used to measure temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius)
anemometer: instrument used to measure wind speed (in miles per hour or mph)
wind vane: instrument used to measure wind direction
rain gauge: instrument used to measure amount of rain over a specific period of time
barometer: instrument used to measure air pressure
data: information (plural; singular = datum)
hemisphere: half of a sphere; the Earth has four hemispheres: northern, southern, eastern, western; the Equator divides the Earth into the northern and southern hemispheres and the Prime Meridian divides the Earth into the Eastern and Western hemispheres.
equator: Imaginary, horizontal line around the middle of the Earth
latitude: the distance north or south of the Equator
longitude: the distance west or east of the Prime Meridian
angle of incidence: angle the sunlight hits the Earth (more intensity = warmer); sometimes called angle of insolation
direct sunlight: Sun rays that strike the Earth in a straight line (most direct, intense rays = Equator)
indirect sunlight: Sun rays that strike the Earth at an angle (most indirect, least intense rays = north and south pole
Earth's axis: imaginary, vertical line through the middle of the Earth; Earth rotates around it
tilt of the Earth: Earth is tilted on its axis at ≈ 23.5°.
rotation: spin; the Earth rotates counter-clockwise on its axis (1 rotation ≈ 23 hours, 56 minutes ≈ 1 day)
revolution: orbit; the Earth revolves counter-clockwise around the Sun in an elliptical orbit (1 revolution ≈ 365.25 days ≈ 1 year)
climate: weather over a long period of time (10 years, 50 years, 100 years, etc.)
potential energy: stored energy; energy of position
kinetic energy: energy of motion; moving energy
thermal energy the total potential and kinetic energy of the particles in an object; (more kinetic energy of particles = more heat, less kinetic energy of particles = less heat)
radiation: transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic waves through places with or without matter (examples: light bulb, campfire, fireplace, microwave, Sunlight traveling through space)
convection: transfer of thermal energy by liquids or gases (examples by liquids: hotter at surface of a swimming pool, cup of soup, or boiling water on stove) (examples by gases: hot air balloon, lower floors being cooler than top floors in a building)
convection current: a continual cycle of heat rising, cooling, sinking, and replacing rising heat. (examples by liquids: gulf stream, El Nino/La Nina) (examples by gases: jet stream, sea breeze, land breeze)
wind: horizontally moving air; caused by uneven heating of the Earth's surface, which creates warm and cool air masses, resulting in differences in air pressure from place to place; moves from high pressure area to low pressure area, like when deflating a balloon;
local wind: moves across small distances close to Earth's surface; unpredictable; changes frequently with air pressure fluctuation (examples include: sea breeze, land breeze, Chinook, Santa Ana, etc)
global wind: moves great distances over the globe; predictable and stable; also called atmospheric circulations (examples include: Polar Easterlies, Prevailing Westerlies, and Trade Winds)
Trade Winds: winds that occur between 30° N and 30° S; blow from east to west; blow continuously toward the Equator; global winds
Prevailing Westerlies: winds that occur between 30° and 60° in both hemispheres; blow from west to the east; blow towards the poles; global winds
Polar Easterlies: winds that occur between 60° and 90° in both hemispheres; blow from east to west; blow away from the poles; global winds
jet stream: air current in the upper atmosphere, located above North America; has powerful influence over weather conditions; flows from west to east; changes location depending on global conditions
sea breeze: a convection current where air flows from sea to land during the daytime; a local wind (land heats up and cools down faster than water; see convection current)
land breeze: a convection current where air flows from land to sea during the nighttime; a local wind (land heats up and cools down faster than water; see convection current)
windward: side of the mountain facing the wind; evaporating (heated) air is pushed up by the mountain, it cools, condenses, and precipitates frequently; vegetation is dense; sometimes called wayward
leeward: side of the mountain not facing the wind; cooled air sinks; air is dry because it has already condensed and precipitated on the windward side; vegetation is sparse;
Water Cycle- the continuous process by which water moves from Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back; also called the hydrologic cycle
Evaporation- changing from liquid to water vapor; a water cycle process
Condensation- changing from water vapor becomes liquid; a water cycle process
Precipitation- form of water that falls from a cloud to the Earth; a water cycle process
Collection- when precipitation accumulates in a body of water, in the ground, or as runoff to a body of water; a water cycle process
Ground Water - water stored in soil and rock beneath the Earth’s surface
Runoff- excess water that the ground cannot absorb; a water cycle process
Water Vapor- water in a gas state
Transpiration- water evaporating from plant leaves; a water cycle process.
cloud: a large collection of tiny water droplets or ice crystals in the atmosphere; classified by shape and altitude; formation depends on air mass movement; usually form at frontal boundaries and in low pressure areas
stratus: low level clouds (up to 6,500 feet); means "to spread out" looks like layers or blankets that cover the sky; result in overcast weather and sometimes produce precipitation; fog is a stratus cloud at ground level
cumulus: middle level clouds (6,500-18,000 feet); means "heap" or "pile;" look puffy, like cotton; grow vertically from a flat base to rounded towers; results in fair weather
cumulonimbus: tall cumulus clouds (grow vertically up to 50,000 feet tall); look like an anvil; results in heavy precipitation, especially thunderstorms; nimbus = rain
cirrus: high level clouds; (above 18,000 feet); means "curl of hair;" look thin and wispy, like feathers; composed of ice crystals (high altitude = cold temperatures)
nimbus: a rain cloud; may be used as a prefix or suffix for rain clouds, such as cumulonimbus, nimbostratus
weather: state of the atmosphere at a given time and place with respect to wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, and pressure; daily or hourly conditions
meteorologist: scientist who studies weather
Sun: the driving force of weather
temperature: degrees warm or cold; influenced by cloud cover
wind speed: changes as air pressure changes
wind direction: reported by the direction from which wind originates; prevailing westerly winds blow from the west to the east
precipitation: form of water that falls from the clouds to the Earth
barometric (air) pressure: weight of the air above the surface of the Earth, applies pressure on objects
cloud cover: fraction of the sky covered by clouds; cloudy, partly cloudy, partly Sunny
thermometer: instrument used to measure temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius)
anemometer: instrument used to measure wind speed (in miles per hour or mph)
wind vane: instrument used to measure wind direction
rain gauge: instrument used to measure amount of rain over a specific period of time
barometer: instrument used to measure air pressure
data: information (plural; singular = datum)
hemisphere: half of a sphere; the Earth has four hemispheres: northern, southern, eastern, western; the Equator divides the Earth into the northern and southern hemispheres and the Prime Meridian divides the Earth into the Eastern and Western hemispheres.
equator: Imaginary, horizontal line around the middle of the Earth
latitude: the distance north or south of the Equator
longitude: the distance west or east of the Prime Meridian
angle of incidence: angle the sunlight hits the Earth (more intensity = warmer); sometimes called angle of insolation
direct sunlight: Sun rays that strike the Earth in a straight line (most direct, intense rays = Equator)
indirect sunlight: Sun rays that strike the Earth at an angle (most indirect, least intense rays = north and south pole
Earth's axis: imaginary, vertical line through the middle of the Earth; Earth rotates around it
tilt of the Earth: Earth is tilted on its axis at ≈ 23.5°.
rotation: spin; the Earth rotates counter-clockwise on its axis (1 rotation ≈ 23 hours, 56 minutes ≈ 1 day)
revolution: orbit; the Earth revolves counter-clockwise around the Sun in an elliptical orbit (1 revolution ≈ 365.25 days ≈ 1 year)
climate: weather over a long period of time (10 years, 50 years, 100 years, etc.)
potential energy: stored energy; energy of position
kinetic energy: energy of motion; moving energy
thermal energy the total potential and kinetic energy of the particles in an object; (more kinetic energy of particles = more heat, less kinetic energy of particles = less heat)
radiation: transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic waves through places with or without matter (examples: light bulb, campfire, fireplace, microwave, Sunlight traveling through space)
convection: transfer of thermal energy by liquids or gases (examples by liquids: hotter at surface of a swimming pool, cup of soup, or boiling water on stove) (examples by gases: hot air balloon, lower floors being cooler than top floors in a building)
convection current: a continual cycle of heat rising, cooling, sinking, and replacing rising heat. (examples by liquids: gulf stream, El Nino/La Nina) (examples by gases: jet stream, sea breeze, land breeze)
wind: horizontally moving air; caused by uneven heating of the Earth's surface, which creates warm and cool air masses, resulting in differences in air pressure from place to place; moves from high pressure area to low pressure area, like when deflating a balloon;
local wind: moves across small distances close to Earth's surface; unpredictable; changes frequently with air pressure fluctuation (examples include: sea breeze, land breeze, Chinook, Santa Ana, etc)
global wind: moves great distances over the globe; predictable and stable; also called atmospheric circulations (examples include: Polar Easterlies, Prevailing Westerlies, and Trade Winds)
Trade Winds: winds that occur between 30° N and 30° S; blow from east to west; blow continuously toward the Equator; global winds
Prevailing Westerlies: winds that occur between 30° and 60° in both hemispheres; blow from west to the east; blow towards the poles; global winds
Polar Easterlies: winds that occur between 60° and 90° in both hemispheres; blow from east to west; blow away from the poles; global winds
jet stream: air current in the upper atmosphere, located above North America; has powerful influence over weather conditions; flows from west to east; changes location depending on global conditions
sea breeze: a convection current where air flows from sea to land during the daytime; a local wind (land heats up and cools down faster than water; see convection current)
land breeze: a convection current where air flows from land to sea during the nighttime; a local wind (land heats up and cools down faster than water; see convection current)
windward: side of the mountain facing the wind; evaporating (heated) air is pushed up by the mountain, it cools, condenses, and precipitates frequently; vegetation is dense; sometimes called wayward
leeward: side of the mountain not facing the wind; cooled air sinks; air is dry because it has already condensed and precipitated on the windward side; vegetation is sparse;
Water Cycle- the continuous process by which water moves from Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back; also called the hydrologic cycle
Evaporation- changing from liquid to water vapor; a water cycle process
Condensation- changing from water vapor becomes liquid; a water cycle process
Precipitation- form of water that falls from a cloud to the Earth; a water cycle process
Collection- when precipitation accumulates in a body of water, in the ground, or as runoff to a body of water; a water cycle process
Ground Water - water stored in soil and rock beneath the Earth’s surface
Runoff- excess water that the ground cannot absorb; a water cycle process
Water Vapor- water in a gas state
Transpiration- water evaporating from plant leaves; a water cycle process.
cloud: a large collection of tiny water droplets or ice crystals in the atmosphere; classified by shape and altitude; formation depends on air mass movement; usually form at frontal boundaries and in low pressure areas
stratus: low level clouds (up to 6,500 feet); means "to spread out" looks like layers or blankets that cover the sky; result in overcast weather and sometimes produce precipitation; fog is a stratus cloud at ground level
cumulus: middle level clouds (6,500-18,000 feet); means "heap" or "pile;" look puffy, like cotton; grow vertically from a flat base to rounded towers; results in fair weather
cumulonimbus: tall cumulus clouds (grow vertically up to 50,000 feet tall); look like an anvil; results in heavy precipitation, especially thunderstorms; nimbus = rain
cirrus: high level clouds; (above 18,000 feet); means "curl of hair;" look thin and wispy, like feathers; composed of ice crystals (high altitude = cold temperatures)
nimbus: a rain cloud; may be used as a prefix or suffix for rain clouds, such as cumulonimbus, nimbostratus
Force and Motion
Speed/Rate: comparison of distance and time; example: 25 mph
Acceleration: rate of increase of speed or velocity (example: accelerator pedal on a car)
Momentum: force or speed of movement; mass in motion, example: a moving train has
much more than a moving soccer ball
Inertia: the tendency of an object to resist a change in motion or keep doing what it is
doing; note: the great the mass of an object, the greater the inertia
Distance: how far an object travels
Velocity: speed with direction (example: 45 mph northeast)
Model: a representation in miniature/smaller form
Test: to determine if an idea works
Motion: an object changing position over time; change in position is measured by
distance and time
Newton's First Law of Motion- also known as the Law of Inertia; an object in motion will stay in motion and an object at rest will stay at rest UNLESS another force acts upon it.
In other words- things will keep doing what they are doing unless forced to do something else.
Newton's Second Law of Motion- also known as law of acceleration; objects will accelerate (gain speed) in the direction of the unbalanced force; LESS MASS means FASTER acceleration.
In other words- direction of speed always goes toward the unbalanced force and the LIGHTER you are the QUICKER you gain speed.
Newton’s Third Law of Motion- also known as the law of buddy forces; for every action (force) there is an equal and opposite reaction (force)
In other words- forces are found in pairs; think about being on a skateboard when you push off the board goes in the opposite direction of your foot.
Speed/Rate: comparison of distance and time; example: 25 mph
Acceleration: rate of increase of speed or velocity (example: accelerator pedal on a car)
Momentum: force or speed of movement; mass in motion, example: a moving train has
much more than a moving soccer ball
Inertia: the tendency of an object to resist a change in motion or keep doing what it is
doing; note: the great the mass of an object, the greater the inertia
Distance: how far an object travels
Velocity: speed with direction (example: 45 mph northeast)
Model: a representation in miniature/smaller form
Test: to determine if an idea works
Motion: an object changing position over time; change in position is measured by
distance and time
Newton's First Law of Motion- also known as the Law of Inertia; an object in motion will stay in motion and an object at rest will stay at rest UNLESS another force acts upon it.
In other words- things will keep doing what they are doing unless forced to do something else.
Newton's Second Law of Motion- also known as law of acceleration; objects will accelerate (gain speed) in the direction of the unbalanced force; LESS MASS means FASTER acceleration.
In other words- direction of speed always goes toward the unbalanced force and the LIGHTER you are the QUICKER you gain speed.
Newton’s Third Law of Motion- also known as the law of buddy forces; for every action (force) there is an equal and opposite reaction (force)
In other words- forces are found in pairs; think about being on a skateboard when you push off the board goes in the opposite direction of your foot.
Human Body
- characteristics: qualities of an organism
- inherited: characteristics from parents
- likeness: similar or nearly the same
- organism: an individual living system
- traits: distinguishing characteristics
- generation: a group of individuals born and living at the same time, such as siblings
- offspring: the young of a person, animal, or plant
- parents: animals (including humans) or plants that produce offspring
- DNA: material in life forms that transfer genetic characteristics from parents to offspring
- cell: the basic unit of life
- multicellular: composed of many cells
- unicellular: single-celled; composed of one cell
- permeable: able to pass through
- tissue: similar cells with a specific function
- organ: a part of a system that consists of cells and tissues and is specialized to do a particular
task
direct evidence: evidence you collect yourself
- indirect evidence: evidence you do not collect yourself, but rely on evidence collected by
others
- fitness: state of being healthy
Skeletal System
-ball/socket joint: joint that allows twisting and turning; example: hip joint
-bones: forms the substance of a skeleton; support the body
-cartilage: flexible connective tissue
-cranium: skull
-femur: longest, largest, and strongest bone in the human body; located in the upper leg
-fracture: to break or crack
-framework: support, i.e. skeleton
-gliding joint: joint that allows flat bones to slide over each other; example: foot, wrist
-hinge joint: joint that allows movement in a certain spot, like the opening and closing of a door;
example: elbow, knee, ankle
-humerus: long bone in arm extending from the shoulder to the elbow
-immovable: not able to be moved
-joints: place where two bones are joined or united to allow motion
-mandible: jaw bone
-patella: flat moveable bone in the front of the knee; also known as the knee bone
-pelvis: funnel-shaped part of the skeleton supporting lower limbs
-phalanges: bones that make up the fingers
-radius: bone of the forearm on the thumb side
-ribs: bone that support and protect organs such as the heart and lungs
-scapula: shoulder blade
-skeleton: framework of 206 bones that supports the human body
-skull: head bone that protects the brain; also known as the cranium
-spine: backbone
-sternum: breastbone
-tarsals: bones in the feet
-tibia: shinbone; located in the lower leg
-torso: upper part of the body
-ulna: bone of the forearm, located on the side opposite the thumb
-vertebrae: bones in the spine or backbone
Muscular System
-bicep: muscle at the front of the upper arm
-cardiac muscle: heart muscle
-contract: to draw together
-endurance: ability or strength to continue or last without becoming tired
-exertion: activity of using muscles in various ways to keep fit
-extend: to increase in length
-flex: to bend
-involuntary: muscle controlled without thinking about it, i.e. pumping heart
-ligaments: tissues that connect bones, hold organs in place
-muscles: tissues that cause motion in the body when contracted
-musculoskeletal: the muscular and skeletal systems
-resistance: exercise that involves working your muscles against free weights or your body’s
own weight (walking, running, push ups)
-skeletal muscle: muscle connected at either end with a bone
-smooth muscle: found in the walls of internal organs, blood vessels, hair folloles
-tendons: connect muscle to bone
-tricep: muscle located at the back of the upper arm
-voluntary: muscle whose action is controlled by the person; example: lifting and arm
atrophy: to waste away or decrease in size
autonomic nervous system: system of nerves which control involuntary functions
-axon: part of a neuron that takes information away from a cell
-brain: controls mental and physical actions; located in the cranium(skull)
-brain stem: part of brain near the spinal cord; controls reflexes, breathing, and heartbeat
-cerebellum: large portion of the brain which controls voluntary motions
-cerebrum: largest part of the brain which controls voluntary movements and mental actions
-dendrites: part of a neuron that brings information to a cell
-nerves: bundle of fibers that carry impulses from the brain to other parts of the body
-neurons: specialized, impulse-conducting cells which are composed of a cell body, axon, and
dendrites
-peripheral nervous system: lies outside the brain and spinal cord and includes nerves to arms,
legs, and sense organs
-relay: to transmit a signal
-signals: messages sent from the brain to nerves
-spinal cord: cord of nerve tissue extending through the spinal column and protected by the
vertebrae of the spine/backbone
-spinal nerve: nerves that start in the spinal cord
-stimuli: something that causes an action; example – stimulus: hot stove, response: moving hand
away from hot stove
-synapse: place where nerve messages are sent and received
- blood: circulates in body to sustain life
- cholesterol: waxy substance found in animal tissue; too much can lead to heart disease
- red blood cells: carry oxygen throughout the body
- white blood cells: fight off infections and diseases
- platelets: smallest blood cells which form clots if you have an injury such as a cut or scrape
- plasma: the watery part of blood that contains protein and suspends blood cells
aerobic exercise: exercise that increases the need for oxygen
-anaerobic exercise: exercise that builds muscles through tension
-aorta: major artery which circulates blood from the heart to all of the body except the lungs
arteries: blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart
-atrium: two upper chambers on each side of the heart, receives blood from veins and forces it
into ventricles
-blood vessels: any of the tubing (arteries, veins, capillaries) through which blood travels and
circulates the body
-capillaries: smallest of blood vessels
-cardiac: relating to the heart
-circulation: flowing (such as the flow of blood throughout the body)
-heart: an organ consisting of four chambers; contracts to pump blood throughout the body
-heart rate: number of heart beats counted in one minute
-pulmonary artery: transports blood away from the heart to the lungs
-pulse: regular throbbing of arteries caused by heart contractions; pulse can often be detected
near the wrists or the sides of the neck
-veins: blood vessels that carry blood to the heart
-ventricles: two lower chambers on each side of the heart
air sac: air-filled spaces in the body
-alveoli: very small air sacs; where air breathed in goes
-bronchial tubes: two tubes at the end of the trachea, brings in air from trachea and helps clean
lungs; one tube goes to the right lung, the other to the left lung
-diaphragm: sheet-like muscle separating the chest from the abdominal cavity; creates a change
in air pressure to draw air in and expand the lungs
-exhale: to breathe out
-inhale: to breathe in
-larynx: voice box
-lungs: two respiratory organs located in the chest; they are protected by the rib cage
-nasal passages (nasal cavity): openings that allow inhaling and exhaling through the nose
-pharynx: throat; collects incoming air from the nose and passes air to the trachea
-respiration: inhaling and exhaling air; breathing
-ribs: bones that protect and support the chest
-sinuses: hollow spaces in the bones of the head; warm and moisten air that is inhaled
-trachea: windpipe; passage from pharynx to lungs
-anus: where solid waste exits the body
-appendix: located near the small and large intestines; its purpose is unknown
-bile duct: store bile (yellow, green liquid from the liver)
-digestion: processing food in the body
-epiglottis: located in the back of the mouth; prevents food and drink from entering the larynx
-esophagus: muscular passage connecting the mouth and the stomach; its rhythmic motion
pushes food into the stomach
-large intestine: where stool (solid waste) accumulates
-liver: filters blood coming from the digestive tract, releases bile, and helps take toxins (poisons)
from chemicals in the body
-mouth: where digestion begins
-pancreas: about 6” long and located behind the stomach; secretes insulin
-rectum: straight section of the intestine, ending in the anus; stores solid waste
-saliva: watery fluid for tasting and swallowing food, chewing, and keeping mouth moist
-salivary glands: secretes (releases) saliva
-small intestine: helps in the passage of food that comes from the stomach
-stomach: organ in the digestive system that stores and digests food
-tongue: organ in the mouth; functions include
- characteristics: qualities of an organism
- inherited: characteristics from parents
- likeness: similar or nearly the same
- organism: an individual living system
- traits: distinguishing characteristics
- generation: a group of individuals born and living at the same time, such as siblings
- offspring: the young of a person, animal, or plant
- parents: animals (including humans) or plants that produce offspring
- DNA: material in life forms that transfer genetic characteristics from parents to offspring
- cell: the basic unit of life
- multicellular: composed of many cells
- unicellular: single-celled; composed of one cell
- permeable: able to pass through
- tissue: similar cells with a specific function
- organ: a part of a system that consists of cells and tissues and is specialized to do a particular
task
direct evidence: evidence you collect yourself
- indirect evidence: evidence you do not collect yourself, but rely on evidence collected by
others
- fitness: state of being healthy
Skeletal System
-ball/socket joint: joint that allows twisting and turning; example: hip joint
-bones: forms the substance of a skeleton; support the body
-cartilage: flexible connective tissue
-cranium: skull
-femur: longest, largest, and strongest bone in the human body; located in the upper leg
-fracture: to break or crack
-framework: support, i.e. skeleton
-gliding joint: joint that allows flat bones to slide over each other; example: foot, wrist
-hinge joint: joint that allows movement in a certain spot, like the opening and closing of a door;
example: elbow, knee, ankle
-humerus: long bone in arm extending from the shoulder to the elbow
-immovable: not able to be moved
-joints: place where two bones are joined or united to allow motion
-mandible: jaw bone
-patella: flat moveable bone in the front of the knee; also known as the knee bone
-pelvis: funnel-shaped part of the skeleton supporting lower limbs
-phalanges: bones that make up the fingers
-radius: bone of the forearm on the thumb side
-ribs: bone that support and protect organs such as the heart and lungs
-scapula: shoulder blade
-skeleton: framework of 206 bones that supports the human body
-skull: head bone that protects the brain; also known as the cranium
-spine: backbone
-sternum: breastbone
-tarsals: bones in the feet
-tibia: shinbone; located in the lower leg
-torso: upper part of the body
-ulna: bone of the forearm, located on the side opposite the thumb
-vertebrae: bones in the spine or backbone
Muscular System
-bicep: muscle at the front of the upper arm
-cardiac muscle: heart muscle
-contract: to draw together
-endurance: ability or strength to continue or last without becoming tired
-exertion: activity of using muscles in various ways to keep fit
-extend: to increase in length
-flex: to bend
-involuntary: muscle controlled without thinking about it, i.e. pumping heart
-ligaments: tissues that connect bones, hold organs in place
-muscles: tissues that cause motion in the body when contracted
-musculoskeletal: the muscular and skeletal systems
-resistance: exercise that involves working your muscles against free weights or your body’s
own weight (walking, running, push ups)
-skeletal muscle: muscle connected at either end with a bone
-smooth muscle: found in the walls of internal organs, blood vessels, hair folloles
-tendons: connect muscle to bone
-tricep: muscle located at the back of the upper arm
-voluntary: muscle whose action is controlled by the person; example: lifting and arm
atrophy: to waste away or decrease in size
autonomic nervous system: system of nerves which control involuntary functions
-axon: part of a neuron that takes information away from a cell
-brain: controls mental and physical actions; located in the cranium(skull)
-brain stem: part of brain near the spinal cord; controls reflexes, breathing, and heartbeat
-cerebellum: large portion of the brain which controls voluntary motions
-cerebrum: largest part of the brain which controls voluntary movements and mental actions
-dendrites: part of a neuron that brings information to a cell
-nerves: bundle of fibers that carry impulses from the brain to other parts of the body
-neurons: specialized, impulse-conducting cells which are composed of a cell body, axon, and
dendrites
-peripheral nervous system: lies outside the brain and spinal cord and includes nerves to arms,
legs, and sense organs
-relay: to transmit a signal
-signals: messages sent from the brain to nerves
-spinal cord: cord of nerve tissue extending through the spinal column and protected by the
vertebrae of the spine/backbone
-spinal nerve: nerves that start in the spinal cord
-stimuli: something that causes an action; example – stimulus: hot stove, response: moving hand
away from hot stove
-synapse: place where nerve messages are sent and received
- blood: circulates in body to sustain life
- cholesterol: waxy substance found in animal tissue; too much can lead to heart disease
- red blood cells: carry oxygen throughout the body
- white blood cells: fight off infections and diseases
- platelets: smallest blood cells which form clots if you have an injury such as a cut or scrape
- plasma: the watery part of blood that contains protein and suspends blood cells
aerobic exercise: exercise that increases the need for oxygen
-anaerobic exercise: exercise that builds muscles through tension
-aorta: major artery which circulates blood from the heart to all of the body except the lungs
arteries: blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart
-atrium: two upper chambers on each side of the heart, receives blood from veins and forces it
into ventricles
-blood vessels: any of the tubing (arteries, veins, capillaries) through which blood travels and
circulates the body
-capillaries: smallest of blood vessels
-cardiac: relating to the heart
-circulation: flowing (such as the flow of blood throughout the body)
-heart: an organ consisting of four chambers; contracts to pump blood throughout the body
-heart rate: number of heart beats counted in one minute
-pulmonary artery: transports blood away from the heart to the lungs
-pulse: regular throbbing of arteries caused by heart contractions; pulse can often be detected
near the wrists or the sides of the neck
-veins: blood vessels that carry blood to the heart
-ventricles: two lower chambers on each side of the heart
air sac: air-filled spaces in the body
-alveoli: very small air sacs; where air breathed in goes
-bronchial tubes: two tubes at the end of the trachea, brings in air from trachea and helps clean
lungs; one tube goes to the right lung, the other to the left lung
-diaphragm: sheet-like muscle separating the chest from the abdominal cavity; creates a change
in air pressure to draw air in and expand the lungs
-exhale: to breathe out
-inhale: to breathe in
-larynx: voice box
-lungs: two respiratory organs located in the chest; they are protected by the rib cage
-nasal passages (nasal cavity): openings that allow inhaling and exhaling through the nose
-pharynx: throat; collects incoming air from the nose and passes air to the trachea
-respiration: inhaling and exhaling air; breathing
-ribs: bones that protect and support the chest
-sinuses: hollow spaces in the bones of the head; warm and moisten air that is inhaled
-trachea: windpipe; passage from pharynx to lungs
-anus: where solid waste exits the body
-appendix: located near the small and large intestines; its purpose is unknown
-bile duct: store bile (yellow, green liquid from the liver)
-digestion: processing food in the body
-epiglottis: located in the back of the mouth; prevents food and drink from entering the larynx
-esophagus: muscular passage connecting the mouth and the stomach; its rhythmic motion
pushes food into the stomach
-large intestine: where stool (solid waste) accumulates
-liver: filters blood coming from the digestive tract, releases bile, and helps take toxins (poisons)
from chemicals in the body
-mouth: where digestion begins
-pancreas: about 6” long and located behind the stomach; secretes insulin
-rectum: straight section of the intestine, ending in the anus; stores solid waste
-saliva: watery fluid for tasting and swallowing food, chewing, and keeping mouth moist
-salivary glands: secretes (releases) saliva
-small intestine: helps in the passage of food that comes from the stomach
-stomach: organ in the digestive system that stores and digests food
-tongue: organ in the mouth; functions include
Ecosystems
-ecology: area of science concerned with the relationship of living things to each other and their
natural environment
-ecosystem: An interconnected community of organisms interacting with and depending on one
another and the physical environment
-environment: everything that surrounds an organism and influences it
-food chain: a graphic which traces energy flow in an ecosystem; for example: sun>water
plants>fish>raccoon
-model: A small-scale version of a system that shows how the system works
-organism: a living thing
-germination: process by which seeds swell up and begin to sprout and develop roots
-terrarium: a closed glass or plastic container in which terrestrial organisms can live and be
observed
-terrestrial: having to do with the land or the Earth
-adaptation: a change in order to fit a new situation or use
-biodiversity: a wide variety of organisms
-carnivore: a consumer which gets its energy by eating only meat/animal flesh
-consumer: an organisms that gets its energy by eating other organisms
-fertile: rich in nutrients; often used to describe soil
-forest: a area of land densely populated with trees
-grassland: a large, flat area of land with few trees which is mostly populated by tall grasses
-herbivore: a consumer which gets its energy by eating only plants and vegetation
-omnivore: a consumer which gets its energy by eating both plants and meat/animal flesh
-producer: an organism that can make its own food through the process of photosynthesis
-aquatic: having to do with water
-aquarium: a glass or plastic container in which aquatic organisms can live and be observed
-decomposer: an organism that gets its energy from breaking down decaying organic material;
the role of decomposers is the recycling of nutrients throughout the ecosystem.
-photosynthesis: the process by which plants use carbon dioxide and sunlight to create sugar for
themselves for food, as well as oxygen.
-producer: any organism that makes its own food from the sun's light using photosynthesis.
-radiation: A way that heat energy can travel; radiation occurs when heat energy leaves its
source and travels through water or air to reach its destination.
-radiation: A way that heat energy can travel; radiation occurs when heat energy leaves its
source and travels through water or air to reach its destination.
-food chain: a way to trace the Sun’s energy from one organism to another
-niche: the specific role an organism plays within its ecosystem
-symbiosis: a close, prolonged relationship between two organisms of different species that may,
but not necessarily, benefit the organisms
-abiotic factors: nonliving things in an ecosystem such as light, air, and soil
-biotic factors: living things in an ecosystems such as animals and plants
-dependent relationships: relying on another; for example, plants rely on the sun for its light
-interdependent relationship: relying on one another; for example, elodea is a producer and
provides food for a snail. It also provides shelter and adds oxygen to the water. The snail eats
dead leaves and adds fertilizer in the form of feces. The snail also gives off carbon dioxide,
which plants use.
-pollutant: a harmful or unpleasant substance which can have negative effects on an ecosystem
when spread through the air, water, or soil
-trade-off: the act of giving up one thing in order to get another
-fair test: altering or changing only one variable in an experiment; in this case, the variable is the
addition of a pollutant (salt, fertilizer, or vinegar)
-control: in this case, the ecocolumn that is not undergoing pollution
-variable: the part of an experiment that is changed or tested
-watershed: an area of land whose waters all drain into the same place
-algae blooms: too many algae cloud the water and block light from reaching underwater
grasses; caused by too many nutrients in water from sewage and fertilizers
-sediment: tiny bits of soil that are often transported by water or wind
-trade-off: the act of giving up/quitting one thing to receive another
-ecology: area of science concerned with the relationship of living things to each other and their
natural environment
-ecosystem: An interconnected community of organisms interacting with and depending on one
another and the physical environment
-environment: everything that surrounds an organism and influences it
-food chain: a graphic which traces energy flow in an ecosystem; for example: sun>water
plants>fish>raccoon
-model: A small-scale version of a system that shows how the system works
-organism: a living thing
-germination: process by which seeds swell up and begin to sprout and develop roots
-terrarium: a closed glass or plastic container in which terrestrial organisms can live and be
observed
-terrestrial: having to do with the land or the Earth
-adaptation: a change in order to fit a new situation or use
-biodiversity: a wide variety of organisms
-carnivore: a consumer which gets its energy by eating only meat/animal flesh
-consumer: an organisms that gets its energy by eating other organisms
-fertile: rich in nutrients; often used to describe soil
-forest: a area of land densely populated with trees
-grassland: a large, flat area of land with few trees which is mostly populated by tall grasses
-herbivore: a consumer which gets its energy by eating only plants and vegetation
-omnivore: a consumer which gets its energy by eating both plants and meat/animal flesh
-producer: an organism that can make its own food through the process of photosynthesis
-aquatic: having to do with water
-aquarium: a glass or plastic container in which aquatic organisms can live and be observed
-decomposer: an organism that gets its energy from breaking down decaying organic material;
the role of decomposers is the recycling of nutrients throughout the ecosystem.
-photosynthesis: the process by which plants use carbon dioxide and sunlight to create sugar for
themselves for food, as well as oxygen.
-producer: any organism that makes its own food from the sun's light using photosynthesis.
-radiation: A way that heat energy can travel; radiation occurs when heat energy leaves its
source and travels through water or air to reach its destination.
-radiation: A way that heat energy can travel; radiation occurs when heat energy leaves its
source and travels through water or air to reach its destination.
-food chain: a way to trace the Sun’s energy from one organism to another
-niche: the specific role an organism plays within its ecosystem
-symbiosis: a close, prolonged relationship between two organisms of different species that may,
but not necessarily, benefit the organisms
-abiotic factors: nonliving things in an ecosystem such as light, air, and soil
-biotic factors: living things in an ecosystems such as animals and plants
-dependent relationships: relying on another; for example, plants rely on the sun for its light
-interdependent relationship: relying on one another; for example, elodea is a producer and
provides food for a snail. It also provides shelter and adds oxygen to the water. The snail eats
dead leaves and adds fertilizer in the form of feces. The snail also gives off carbon dioxide,
which plants use.
-pollutant: a harmful or unpleasant substance which can have negative effects on an ecosystem
when spread through the air, water, or soil
-trade-off: the act of giving up one thing in order to get another
-fair test: altering or changing only one variable in an experiment; in this case, the variable is the
addition of a pollutant (salt, fertilizer, or vinegar)
-control: in this case, the ecocolumn that is not undergoing pollution
-variable: the part of an experiment that is changed or tested
-watershed: an area of land whose waters all drain into the same place
-algae blooms: too many algae cloud the water and block light from reaching underwater
grasses; caused by too many nutrients in water from sewage and fertilizers
-sediment: tiny bits of soil that are often transported by water or wind
-trade-off: the act of giving up/quitting one thing to receive another