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GED Science

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  1. acceleration
    an increase in rate of change
  2. acid
    a sour water-soluble compound with a pH of less than 7
  3. acid rain
    precipitation with toxic gas emissions combined with water
  4. activation energy
    the energy that an atomic system must acquire before a process (such as an emission or reaction) can occur
  5. adaptation
    the process of adjusting or conforming to new conditions
  6. adequacy
    the quality of being able to meet a need satisfactorily
  7. air mass
    a large body of air with uniform characteristics horizontally
  8. alimentary canal
    tubular passage of mucous membrane and muscle extending about 8.3 meters from mouth to anus; functions in digestion and elimination
  9. alveolus
    a tiny sac for holding air in the lungs
  10. amplitude
    greatness of magnitude
  11. antibody
    a protein that produces an immune response
  12. aorta
    the large artery carrying blood from the heart to the body
  13. artery
    a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body
  14. assess
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
  15. asteroid
    a small celestial body composed of rock and metal
  16. atmosphere
    the envelope of gases surrounding any celestial body
  17. atom
    the smallest component of an element
  18. atomic mass
    the property of an atom that causes it to have weight
  19. atomic number
    quantity of protons in the nucleus of an atom of an element
  20. atrium
    a chamber connected to other chambers or passageways
  21. base
    lowest support of a structure
  22. big bang
    (cosmology) the cosmic explosion that is hypothesized to have marked the origin of the universe
  23. biomass
    the total amount of living matter in a given unit area
  24. boiling point
    the temperature at which a liquid boils at sea level
  25. boson
    any particle that obeys Bose-Einstein statistics
  26. bronchus
    either of the two main branches of the trachea
  27. bronchiole
    any of the smallest bronchial ducts; ending in alveoli
  28. capillary
    a minute blood vessel connecting arterioles with venules
  29. carbohydrate
    an essential component of living cells and source of energy
  30. carbon cycle
    the organic circulation of carbon from the atmosphere into organisms and back again
  31. carnivore
    a terrestrial or aquatic flesh-eating mammal
  32. cause
    events that provide the generative force of something
  33. cell
    the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms
  34. cellular respiration
    the metabolic processes whereby certain organisms obtain energy from organic molecules; processes that take place in the cells and tissues during which energy is released and carbon dioxide is produced and absorbed by the blood to be transported to the lungs
  35. cerebellum
    a major division of the vertebrate brain
  36. cerebrum
    anterior part of the brain consisting of two hemispheres
  37. chemical formula
    a representation of a substance using symbols for its constituent elements
  38. chemical reaction
    a process in which substances are changed into others
  39. chromatin
    the readily stainable substance of a cell nucleus consisting of DNA and RNA and various proteins; during mitotic division it condenses into chromosomes
  40. chromosome
    a threadlike strand of DNA that carries genes
  41. circulatory system
    the organs and tissues involved in circulating blood and lymph through the body
  42. climate
    the weather in some location averaged over a period of time
  43. coal
    fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter
  44. colloid
    a mixture with properties between those of a solution and fine suspension
  45. compound
    a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
  46. conclusion
    a position or opinion reached after consideration
  47. condensation
    process of changing from a gas to a liquid or solid state
  48. condense
    cause a gas or vapor to change into a liquid
  49. conductor
    the person who leads a musical group
  50. consumer
    a person who uses goods or services
  51. context
    the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation
  52. convection
    transfer of heat caused by molecular motion in liquid or gas
  53. covalent bond
    a chemical bond that involves sharing a pair of electrons between atoms in a molecule
  54. crest
    the top or extreme point of something
  55. crust
    a hard outer layer that covers something
  56. cytoplasm
    the substance inside a cell, not including the nucleus
  57. decompose
    break down
  58. denitrify
    remove nitrogen from
  59. density
    the amount per unit size
  60. diffusion
    the act of dispersing something
  61. digestive system
    the system that makes food absorbable into the body
  62. DNA
    material that carries genetic information in a cell
  63. dominant gene
    gene that produces the same phenotype in the organism whether or not its allele identical
  64. drag
    pull, as against a resistance
  65. earthquake
    vibration from underground movement along a fault plane
  66. ecology
    the environment as it relates to living organisms
  67. ecosystem
    organisms interacting with their physical environment
  68. effect
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
  69. effort
    use of physical or mental energy; hard work
  70. egg cell
    the female reproductive cell; the female gamete
  71. electric circuit
    an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow
  72. electric current
    a flow of electricity through a conductor
  73. electric field
    a field of force surrounding a charged particle
  74. electromagnetic radiation
    radiation consisting of waves of energy associated with electric and magnetic fields resulting from the acceleration of an electric charge
  75. electromagnetic spectrum
    the entire frequency range of electromagnetic waves
  76. electromagnetism
    a physical force produced from the interaction of charged particles
  77. electron
    an elementary particle with negative charge
  78. endocrine system
    the system of glands that produce endocrine secretions that help to control bodily metabolic activity
  79. endothermic reaction
    a chemical reaction accompanied by the absorption of heat
  80. energy
    forceful exertion
  81. enzyme
    a complex protein produced by cells that acts as a catalyst
  82. epicenter
    a point on the Earth's surface directly above an earthquake
  83. erosion
    the process of wearing or grinding something down
  84. evaluate
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
  85. evaporate
    change into gas or steam
  86. evolution
    sequence of events involved in the development of a species
  87. exothermic reaction
    a chemical reaction accompanied by the evolution of heat
  88. fact
    a piece of information about events that have occurred
  89. fault
    an imperfection in an object or machine
  90. faulty
    having a defect
  91. fermentation
    breaking down an organic substance, as sugar into alcohol
  92. focus
    the concentration of attention or energy on something
  93. food chain
    community of organisms where each member is eaten by another
  94. food web
    community of organisms with several interrelated food chains
  95. force
    influence that results in motion, stress, etc. when applied
  96. fossil
    the remains of a plant or animal from a past geological age
  97. fossil fuel
    energy-producing substance derived from preserved organisms
  98. freezing point
    the temperature below which a liquid turns into a solid
  99. frequency
    the number of occurrences within a given time period
  100. friction
    the resistance when a body is moved in contact with another
  101. front
    the side that is forward or prominent
  102. galaxy
    a collection of star systems
  103. gas
    state of matter distinguished from solid and liquid states
  104. gene
    part of DNA controlling physical characteristics and growth
  105. genetics
    the study of heredity and variation in organisms
  106. genome
    the full DNA sequence of an organism
  107. genotype
    the particular alleles present in an organism
  108. glacier
    a slowly moving mass of ice
  109. global warming
    a rise in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere
  110. gravity
    the force of attraction between all masses in the universe
  111. habitat
    the type of environment in which an organism normally lives
  112. half-life
    the time required for something to fall to half its initial value (in particular, the time for half the atoms in a radioactive substance to disintegrate)
  113. generalization
    the process of abstracting common properties of instances
  114. hemisphere
    half of a round, three-dimensional shape
  115. herbicide
    a chemical agent that destroys plants or inhibits growth
  116. homologous
    similar in position, structure, function, or characteristics
  117. hormone
    the secretion of an endocrine gland transmitted by the blood
  118. hurricane
    a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds
  119. hybrid
    the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents or stock
  120. hydrocarbon
    an organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen
  121. igneous rock
    rock formed by the solidification of molten magma
  122. immune system
    the cells in the body that work together to fight disease
  123. implication
    something that is inferred
  124. imply
    express or state indirectly
  125. dominance
    when an allele in a genotype is expressed in the phenotype
  126. inertia
    the tendency of something to stay in rest or motion
  127. infer
    conclude by reasoning
  128. inference
    a conclusion you can draw based on known evidence
  129. core
    the center of an object
  130. insulator
    a material with little electrical or thermal conductivity
  131. ion
    a particle that is electrically charged positive or negative
  132. ionic bond
    a chemical bond between oppositely charged ions
  133. isomer
    a compound that exists in forms having different arrangements of atoms but the same molecular weight
  134. joint
    junction by which parts or objects are linked together
  135. kinetic energy
    the mechanical energy that a body has by virtue of motion
  136. lava
    rock that in its molten form issues from volcanos
  137. liquid
    fluid matter having no fixed shape but a fixed volume
  138. load
    weight to be borne or conveyed
  139. longitudinal
    relating to lines that bisect the globe through the poles
  140. magma
    molten rock in the earth's crust
  141. mantle
    the layer of the earth between the crust and the core
  142. mass
    the property of a body that causes it to have weight
  143. melting point
    the temperature at which a solid turns into a liquid
  144. metabolism
    the organic processes that are necessary for life
  145. metamorphic rock
    rock altered by pressure and heat
  146. metamorphosis
    striking change in appearance or character or circumstances
  147. Milky Way
    the galaxy containing the solar system
  148. mitosis
    the process by which a cell divides into two new cells
  149. mixture
    a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
  150. molecule
    the simplest structural unit of an element or compound
  151. momentum
    the product of a body's mass and its velocity
  152. mutation
    a change or alteration in form or qualities
  153. natural gas
    a fossil fuel in the gaseous state
  154. natural selection
    a process in which organisms evolve to adapt to environment
  155. natural gas
    a fossil fuel in the gaseous state
  156. nervous system
    the sensory and control apparatus consisting of a network of nerve cells
  157. neuron
    a cell that is specialized to conduct nerve impulses
  158. neurotransmitter
    a neurochemical that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse
  159. neutron
    a subatomic particle with zero charge
  160. Newton's first law of motion
    a body remains at rest or in motion with a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force
  161. Newton's second law of motion
    the rate of change of momentum is proportional to the imposed force and goes in the direction of the force
  162. nitrification
    the chemical process in which a nitro group is added to an organic compound (or substituted for another group in an organic compound)
  163. nitrogen cycle
    the circulation of nitrogen
  164. nitrogen fixation
    the assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by soil bacteria and its release for plant use on the death of the bacteria
  165. resource
    aid or support that may be drawn upon when needed
  166. nuclear fission
    a nuclear reaction in which a massive nucleus splits into smaller nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy
  167. membrane
    a sheet of tissue that lines or connects organs or cells
  168. nucleus
    a part of the cell responsible for growth and reproduction
  169. nutrient
    any substance that can be metabolized to give energy
  170. omnivore
    an animal that feeds on both animal and vegetable substances
  171. opinion
    a personal belief or judgment
  172. orbit
    the path of a celestial body in its revolution about another
  173. organ
    a structure in an animal specialized for some function
  174. organelle
    a specialized part of a cell; analogous to an organ
  175. organic
    having properties characteristic of living beings
  176. organism
    a living thing that can act or function independently
  177. osmosis
    diffusion of molecules through a semipermeable membrane
  178. oversimplification
    a simplification that goes too far
  179. oxidation
    the process by which a substance combines with oxygen
  180. particle accelerator
    a scientific instrument that increases the kinetic energy of charged particles
  181. periodic table
    arrangement of chemical elements according to atomic number
  182. petroleum
    a dark oil consisting mainly of hydrocarbons
  183. phenotype
    observable characteristics produced by genes and environment
  184. photosynthesis
    formation of compounds in plants aided by radiant energy
  185. pH scale
    a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution
  186. planet
    a celestial body that revolves around the sun
  187. plate tectonics
    the movement or study of the movement of Earth's crust
  188. population
    the people who inhabit a territory or state
  189. density
    the amount per unit size
  190. potential
    existing in possibility
  191. potential energy
    energy stored by a body or system by virtue of its position
  192. predator
    any animal that lives by preying on other animals
  193. producer
    someone who manufactures something
  194. product
    an artifact that has been created by someone or some process
  195. proton
    a stable particle with positive charge
  196. purebred
    bred for many generations from member of a recognized breed or strain
  197. quark
    fundamental subatomic particle that has a fractional charge
  198. radioactivity
    the discharge of particles or rays in nuclear decay
  199. reactant
    a substance that is altered during a chemical process
  200. recessive gene
    gene that produces its characteristic phenotype only when its allele is identical
  201. reflection
    the phenomenon of a wave being thrown back from a surface
  202. reflex
    an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus
  203. renewable resource
    any natural resource (as wood or solar energy) that can be replenished naturally with the passage of time
  204. resistance
    any mechanical force that tends to slow or oppose motion
  205. respiratory system
    the system for taking in oxygen and giving off carbon dioxide; in terrestrial animals this is accomplished by breathing
  206. revolve
    turn on or around an axis or a center
  207. ribosome
    a particle in a cell that helps synthesize proteins
  208. Richter scale
    a system once used to measure the strength of an earthquake
  209. rotate
    turn on or around an axis or a center
  210. salt
    white crystalline form of especially sodium chloride used to season and preserve food
  211. spreading
    act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
  212. sedimentary rock
    rock formed from consolidated clay deposits
  213. seismic
    subject to or caused by an earthquake or earth vibration
  214. sense
    the faculty through which the world is perceived
  215. sexual reproduction
    reproduction involving the union or fusion of a male and a female gamete
  216. solar system
    the sun with the celestial bodies that revolve around it
  217. solid
    not soft or yielding to pressure
  218. solute
    the dissolved matter in a homogenous liquid mixture
  219. solution
    a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances
  220. solvent
    capable of meeting financial obligations
  221. species
    taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
  222. static electricity
    electricity produced by friction
  223. stimulus
    any information or event that acts to arouse action
  224. structural formula
    an expanded molecular formula showing the arrangement of atoms within the molecule
  225. subatomic particle
    a body having finite mass and internal structure but negligible dimensions
  226. synapse
    the junction between two neurons
  227. tectonic
    pertaining to the structure or movement of the earth's crust
  228. tissue
    part of an organism consisting of an aggregate of cells
  229. trachea
    a tube that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the lungs
  230. trait
    a distinguishing feature of your personal nature
  231. transverse
    extending or lying across, in a crosswise direction
  232. trophic
    of or relating to nutrition or feeding
  233. trough
    a long narrow shallow receptacle
  234. vaccine
    injection of weakened or dead microbes to create antibodies
  235. value
    the quality that renders something desirable
  236. vaporization
    the process of becoming a suspension of particles in the air
  237. vein
    a blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart
  238. velocity
    distance traveled per unit time in one direction
  239. ventricle
    a chamber of the heart that receives blood from an atrium
  240. virus
    infectious agent that replicates itself within living hosts
  241. volcano
    a fissure in the earth's crust through which gases erupt
  242. volt
    a unit for measuring the force of an electric current
  243. voltage
    the rate at which energy is drawn from a source
  244. volume
    the property of something that is great in magnitude
  245. water
    compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear liquid
  246. wave
    (physics) a movement up and down or back and forth
  247. wavelength
    a way of thinking or coming to mutual understanding
  248. weather
    atmospheric conditions such as temperature and precipitation
  249. weathered
    worn by exposure to the elements
  250. wind
    air moving from high pressure to low pressure
  251. work
    activity directed toward making or doing something
Created on Wed Sep 19 18:05:38 EDT 2012

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