Science 7: Course Glossary

abiotic:: having to do with non-living parts of an ecosystem
abrasion:: the wearing down of rock by wind and moving ice and water
acid rain:: rain (or snow, hail, fog) that is more acidic than normal. Acid rain forms when atmospheric water mixes with chemicals released by vehicles and industries, like sulfur and nitrogen oxides.
active solar heating:: a type of solar heating in which mechanical means are used to store, collect, and distribute solar energy in buildings
adaptation:: an inherited structural or behavioural characteristic that increases a species’s (or organism’s) chance of surviving and reproducing in its environment
adapted:: physically and structurally suited to one’s niche (environment and lifestyle)
aesthetics:: the study of beauty in art and nature
asexual reproduction:: any reproductive process that does not involve the mixing of genes from two parents. Offspring are genetically identical to the parent and each other (clones). This type of reproduction is also known as vegetative reproduction.
baseline data:: data collected so it can be used for comparison to data gathered at a later time
behavioural adaptation:: an inherited behavioural characteristic that increases a species’s (or organism’s) chance of surviving and reproducing in its environment
bioaccumulation:: the buildup of pollutants in the bodies of organisms as the pollutants are passed through a food web
biological controls:: a method of using natural enemies, diseases, competitors, and so on to control pests
biomass:: living or dead matter
biotic:: of or relating to living (or dead) things
boiling:: the process of rapid evaporation characterized by bubbling
cantilever:: a horizontal board or other span supported only at one end by a very strong column
carbon cycle:: the cycle in which carbon is used, released, and reused in an ecosystem
carnivore:: an animal that only eats other animals. e.g., cougars, hawks, dragonflies
centre of gravity:: the point at which all of the gravitational force may be considered to act on an object
change of state:: (phase change) the process whereby a substance changes from one state to another as thermal energy is added or removed
chemical fertilizer:: a manufactured supply of plant nutrients. Chemical fertilizers do not change soil structure (no humus added) or carry disease organisms or weed seeds. They provide an exact and known amount of nutrients that can be matched with the particular need.
chemical weathering:: a weathering process by which rocks and minerals change into a new substance
chlorophyll:: a green pigment found in plants needed for the process of photosynthesis
clay:: a fine-textured, slippery soil with many mineral particles that are close together. There is very little organic matter in clay soil. Clay holds water well in its pores, but little air can penetrate.
cogeneration:: the process of burning previously wasted materials or capturing waste thermal energy to provide heat for some useful purpose
commensalism:: a symbiotic relationship in which one partner benefits and the other neither benefits nor is harmed
community:: populations of different, interdependent species interacting within a particular habitat
compaction:: the degree to which soil particles have been pressed (or fit) together
composite material:: material composed of several materials with different properties to fulfill a purpose
compress:: to squeeze a substance so the particles of the substance move closer together
condensation:: the process by which water vapour turns to liquid
conduction:: heat transfer from particle to particle by touch. This is the primary method of heat transfer in solids.
consumer:: an organism that eats other living things (or their products)
continental drift:: the theory that today’s continents were joined into larger landmasses and have since split and drifted on the surface of Earth
contraction:: the process in which a substance decreases in volume (as thermal energy is released)
control:: a sample that is treated the same as the experimental samples in every way except for the variable that is being manipulated. The control or control sample acts as a standard against which all experimental samples are compared.
controlled variable (CV):: a variable that is not allowed to change (remains constant) throughout the course of an investigation
convection current:: the roughly circular pattern that results from the heating and cooling of particles in a fluid. Lighter, warmer, less-dense fluids are pushed upward by heavier, cooler, denser fluids. As they move, they lose heat to the environment, become denser, and begin to sink. This creates a circular particle/energy flow.
convection:: a method of heat transfer in which lighter, warmer, less-dense fluids (gas or liquid) are pushed upward by heavier, colder, denser fluids. This is the primary method of heat transfer in fluids. Particles carry the heat. This cannot occur in solids because the particles are fixed in place.
cutting:: a section of a plant that is removed and placed in water to allow roots to develop and a new plant to form
dead load:: the weight of the structure upon itself; a continuously applied load. A dead load is constant in its position and magnitude (size), such as the weight of the structure and any permanently attached equipment.
decomposers:: microscopic (generally) organisms that break down dead or waste matter into nutrients. e.g., fungi, bacteria
density:: how closely packed or thick a substance is; the amount of matter (number of particles) packed into a particular volume. The density of 1 million particles in a 5-cm3 space is less than the density of 10 million particles in a 5-cm3 space.
differentially permeable membrane:: a porous (has holes) surface that lets particles pass on the basis of size. Also referred to as selectively permeable.
diffusion:: the movement of particles within a fluid from higher (more particles) to lower (less particles) concentrations
diversity:: variety, differences. Also, the quantity of different species living in an ecosystem. A large number of species means that there is a lot of biodiversity.
ecological footprint:: a calculation of the impact a person has on the natural environment. For example, scientists could determine the amount of land and water required to provide materials and energy as well as the associated wastes for an average Albertan.
ecologist:: a scientist who studies the interactions of organisms and their environment
ecology:: the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment
ecosystem monitoring:: a system for checking the health of an ecosystem by collecting data and comparing these results with earlier observations
ecosystem:: the interactions between living and non-living things in a particular environment
electrical energy:: energy due to the flow of electricity
element:: a pure substance composed of only one type of particle It cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.
embryo:: a tiny living plant found inside the seed
endangered species:: a species that is likely to become extinct unless protective measures are initiated
energy flow:: the transfer of energy from one organism (or food level) to another through the food chain or food web
energy resource:: an object or material from which energy is transferred
energy:: the ability to do work, move, or cause a chemical or physical change
energy:: the ability of a substance or system to do work Energy exists in several forms:; chemical, kinetic, radiant, thermal, and so on.
Environmental Impact Assessment:: a scientific report written to explain how a particular activity might affect or has affected an ecosystem
environmental management:: balancing the wants and needs of humans with the needs of the environment
eon:: a unit of time equal to one billion years
epicentre:: a point at the surface of Earth that is directly above the seismic focus of an earthquake and where the earthquake vibrations reach first
erosion:: the process by which weathered rock or soil materials are carried away by water, wind, or ice
erosion:: the mechanical and chemical wearing away of rock and soil of Earth’s crust
erratic:: a stone or boulder carried by ice to a place where it rests on or near bedrock of different composition
evaporate:: to turn a substance from a liquid state to a gas state due to the addition of thermal energy
evaporation:: the process by which liquid water turns to vapour
expansion:: the process in which a substance increases in volume (as thermal energy is absorbed)
external force:: a force that acts on a structure from outside
extinct:: no longer living anywhere on Earth
extrapolate:: to estimate an unmeasured value that goes beyond the known or measured data
fault:: a fracture in rock along which the adjacent rock surfaces are displaced in any plane
fertilizers:: nutrients added to the soil to help plants grow stronger
fibre:: plant tissue composed of thread-like bodies or filaments
fibrous roots:: a system of short roots that can quickly soak up moisture
fixed symbiosis:: a close, long-term relationship between organisms of different species
fluid:: a liquid or a gas. The particles of a fluid are free to move (flow) individually. The particles of a solid are bonded (or fixed) in place. They are not free to move individually.
food chain:: energy (and nutrient) flow through a single series of organisms. Food chains always start with a producer.
food web:: a network of feeding relations made up of interconnected food chains
force diagram:: a drawing that uses arrows to represent the direction and size (strength) of one or more forces acting on an object
force meter:: a device used to measure force. A spring scale is an example of a force meter.
force:: a push or pull
force:
fossil fuel:: any fuel made up of the remains of organisms that died millions of years ago and were buried deep underground. Natural gas, oil, and coal are examples of fossil fuels.
freeze:: to turn a substance from a liquid state to a solid state as thermal energy is removed
fuel:: something that is burned to provide power or heat
fulcrum:: the rigid point of support about which a lever rotates
gene:: material found within a cell that directs what characteristics an organism will have
geology:: the science of Earth, its history, and its life as recorded in rocks and minerals Geology includes the study of geologic features of an area, such as the geometry of rock formations, weathering and erosion, and sedimentation
geothermal energy:: thermal energy obtained from the Earth’s interior
germinate:: the development of a seed into a new plant
germination:: the sprouting of the tiny plant from a seed
global warming:: an increase in the temperature of Earth’s atmosphere due primarily to the increase in levels of greenhouse gases
gravitational force:: the force exerted by gravity on an object (measured in newtons, N); the preferred scientific term for the term weight
greenhouse gases:: gases that trap thermal energy within the atmosphere
greenhouse:: a glass structure used to grow plants in which temperature, nutrients, light, and humidity can be controlled
ground water:: water found beneath Earth’s surface in the pores and cavities of rock and soil
habitat:: the place or type of place where an organism lives
heat capacity:: the amount of thermal energy that must be absorbed or lost to change the temperature of a substance or object by 1°C
heat insulator:: a material that conducts heat poorly
heat:: thermal energy transferred from a warmer substance to a cooler substance
herb:: a type of aromatic plant that can be used fresh or dried for seasoning in cooking, as a medicine, and sometimes even in perfumes
herbicide:: a substance used to control or kill plant pests
herbivore:: an organism that eats only plant material (producers)
humus:: partially decomposed plant matter. Humus holds water in the soil and provides plants with important nutrients.
hydrocarbon:: a substance composed only of carbon and hydrogen
hydroponics:: technique of growing plants in an artificial environment without soil
igneous rock:: rock formed when magma or lava cools and solidifies
indicator species:: an organism that is sensitive to changes to the ecosystem
inorganic:: being or composed of matter of other than plant or animal origin
insecticide:: a substance used to control or kill insect pests
interact:: to act on or affect each other; to become physically or mentally involved with another organism or object
internal force:: a force that acts on a structure from within
interpolate:: to estimate an unmeasured value from within the range of known or measured data
introduced species:: a species that did not naturally occur in an ecosystem
irrigation:: artificial water application using a system of pipes, sprinklers, and a pump
joule:: the standard SI unit of energy
key:: an arrangement of characteristics designed for the identification of unknown plants or animals
kilogram (kg):: an SI unit of mass
kinetic energy:: the energy of motion. Any moving object or particle has kinetic energy.
kinetic energy:: the energy an object or system has due to its motion
laminated material:
lava:: magma that reaches the surface of Earth’s crust
leaching:: the separation of or dissolving out of the soluble parts of rock or soil
lever:: a simple machine consisting of a rigid bar that is free to rotate around a fixed point; used to multiply force or motion (speed)
lifecycle:: the stages an organism goes through from one generation to the next. The seed plant’s includes three stages:; seed, seedling, and adult.
live load:: a temporarily applied force acting on a structure
load:: the weight carried by a structure
loam:: a soil type that does not clump together when squeezed and has a balance between organic and mineral particles. Loam absorbs water easily and contains both water and air in its pores.
magma:: the molten rock material from which igneous rocks are formed
manipulated variable (MV):: the variable that is purposely adjusted in an investigation to see what effect the change will have on the responding variable
mantle:: the middle layer of Earth that lies between the crust and the core
manufactured structure:: an object or structure made by humans
mass:: the quantity of matter in an object
mass:: the quantity of matter in an object
matter:: anything that takes up space and has mass
mechanical energy:: energy due to the motion or the position of an object
mechanical weathering:: the process of weathering by which physical forces break down or reduce rock to smaller and smaller fragments, involving no chemical change
melt:: to turn a substance from a solid state to a liquid state by adding thermal energy
metal fatigue
mineral particles:: inorganic, naturally occurring particles in soil that come from broken down rock (weathered parent material)
mineral:: an inorganic, naturally occurring, solid material Minerals can be elements or compounds (consisting of two or more elements).
monoculture:: artificial concentration of a single plant in an area
mutualism:: a symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit from the relationship
native grasslands:: the original species of plants growing in a naturally grassy area
natural resources:: materials from Earth that people need or use
natural structure:: an object or structure not made by humans
newton (N):
niche:: the role of an organism in an ecosystem
non-renewable resource:: an energy resource that is not naturally replaced for millions of years
non-target organisms:: organisms that are unintentionally affected by chemical pesticides or herbicides
omnivore:: an organism that eats both producers and consumers. e.g., grizzly bears, raccoons, humans
organic fertilizers:: natural sources of plant nutrients that come from decaying plant or animal matter, such as manure. These fertilizers improve soil structure (add humus), can carry disease organisms or weed seeds, and release nutrients slowly.
organic food:: food grown without chemical pest controls or fertilizers
organic particles:: small pieces of dead and decaying plant or animal matter
organic:: being or composed of matter that comes from plants or animals
organism:: a living thing
osmosis:: diffusion of a solvent (usually water) through a selectively permeable membrane
ovule:: plant structure (egg) produced by a female that develops into a seed when fertilized
paleogeology:: the geology of the past
paleontology:: the study of life of the past as recorded by fossil remains
parasitism:: a symbiotic relationship in which one of the organisms is harmed and the other benefits
parent material:: mineral matter from which soil has developed
particle model of matter:: the scientific model of matter in which matter is depicted as consisting of tiny particles
passive solar heating:: solar heating that relies on architectural design rather than mechanical means to collect solar energy
permanent plot:: an area that is used to collect data over an extended period of time
permeable:: capable of allowing materials to pass through
pest:: any organism that inhibits the growth and yield of a forest or agricultural crop; any organism humans find undesirable
pesticide:: a substance used to control or kill pests
petroleum:: a naturally occurring, complex hydrocarbon that can be gaseous (natural gas), liquid (crude oil), solid (tar, bitumen), or a combination of states
pH:: a quantitative measure of the strength of an acid or base. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. On this scale, neutral substances have a pH of 7, acids have a pH less than 7 (0 being the strongest), and alkaline or basic substances have a pH greater than 7 (14 being the strongest).
photosynthesis:: a chemical reaction in which the Sun’s energy is combined with water and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen and glucose (sugar)
pistil:: the female reproductive organ of a flower that includes the stigma, style, ovary, and ovules
plumb line:: a line directed straight down from a point to the centre of Earth
pollen grains:: male reproductive cells produced by male cones or flowers; contains sperm
pollination:: movement of pollen to the ovule of a plant
pollutant:: any substance that is harmful to the environment
pollution:: the process in which harmful chemicals are released into the environment
population:: a group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area
potential energy:: the energy an object or system has due to its position or condition; stored energy Potential energy includes gravitational potential energy, chemical potential energy, and so on.
precipitation:: the process by which water vapour from clouds is returned to the ground as rain and snow; the rain or snow itself that falls to Earth due to the process of precipitation
predator:: a consumer that kills and eats other consumers
pressure:: force per unit area
prey:: consumers that are killed and eaten by other consumers
primary succession:: ecosystem development in an area that has not been previously occupied. e.g., bare rock
principle of superposition:: a geological theory stating that the oldest layer in undisturbed layers of rock is found on the bottom and the youngest layer on the top
producer:: a green plant or other organism that can make its own food by photosynthesis
pyramid of biomass:: a pyramid-shaped representation of the total mass of living (or dead) matter at each level of a food chain
pyramid of numbers:: a pyramid-shaped representation of the number of organisms at each level of a food chain
qualitative:: uses words (letters and language) to describe something. A qualitative description requires a comparison or reference point. e.g., higher, colder, older, bigger
quantitative:: uses numbers to describe something. e.g., 12 years old, 24°C
radiant energy:: (electromagnetic radiation) energy that transfers in the form of a wave. Unlike convective and conductive heat transfer, the energy is not carried by particles.
radiation:: a method of heat transfer that requires no particles. Radiant energy transfers in the form of waves. For example, radiant heat and light energy travels from the Sun to Earth through the vacuum of space.
recover:: reclaim and use what was previously a waste material
recycle:: a way of cutting down human impact on the environment by turning things normally thrown away into something else
reduce:: cutting down the impact on the environment by cutting down the amount of garbage that is produced
reforestation:: replanting of small trees, sometimes accompanied by the application of nutrients to the soil of a logged area to speed the cycle of forest growth
refrigerant:: a liquid used in refrigeration. Refrigerants evaporate easily at low temperatures. Refrigerants move heat from one place to another through the process of evaporation and condensation.
renewable resource:: an energy resource that can be recycled or replaced by natural processes in less than a hundred years
residue:: chemicals or the breakdown products of chemicals that remain in soil, water, air, or organisms for some period after the chemical has been applied
resistant:: able to withstand something. Over time, pests can develop a resistance to pesticides, forcing the use of higher concentrations until the chemical becomes ineffective.
resource:: an available supply of certain materials
respiration:: the process by which organisms break down glucose (sugar) to produce energy. During this process, carbon dioxide and water are released as waste gases.
responder:: an organism or mechanism that receives or uses a signal in some way
responding variable (RV):: a variable in an experiment that is expected to change as a result of changes to the manipulated variable
reuse:: cutting down human impact on the environment by reusing products rather than throwing them away
rhizomes:: stems that grow underground. New plants can sometimes grow off of them.
rock cycle:: the interrelated sequence of geologic events by which rocks are initially formed, altered, destroyed, and reformed over long periods of time
rock:: a natural material composed of one or more minerals
root hairs:: tiny hair-like roots covering the smaller roots coming off the taproot. The root hairs are responsible for most of the plant’s water and nutrient absorption.
runners:: long stems that grow along the surface of the ground. New plants can sometimes reproduce from them.
run-off:: water that flows across the ground instead of soaking in or evaporating
salinization:: a process by which salt collects as a crust on the surface layers of the soil. It is often caused by the extended use of irrigation.
sandy soil:: a soil type with large mineral particles with large spaces in between them. There is very little organic material in this soil type. It is low in nutrients and water runs through its large pores
scavengers:: organisms that feed on dead organisms or wastes. e.g., earthworms, insects, magpies
secondary succession:: ecosystem development in an area with soil after the previous community has been altered or destroyed. e.g., abandoned fields, forested areas, burned areas
seedling:: a young plant
seismic focus:: the point of origin of an earthquake
seismic waves:: waves generated by seismic activity, movement in Earth’s crust
seismogram:: the record made by a seismograph
seismograph:: an instrument that records vibrations in Earth’s crust, especially earthquakes
seismology:: the science of earthquakes
selective breeding:: a reproductive technology that involves humans selecting organisms with a desired characteristic(s) (trait) and breeding them together to produce offspring with that trait(s)
sensor:: a device or material that is affected by changes in some feature of the environment, such as temperature
sexual reproduction:: the production of unique offspring formed by the union of genetic material (e.g., egg and sperm)
signal:: a physical quantity, such as electric current, used to transmit information
soil horizon:: a cross-section of soil that shows the layers
soil profile:: the layers in the soil from the surface to the bedrock
solar collectors:: the parts of an active solar heating system that are exposed to sunlight for the absorption of thermal energy
solar energy:: energy obtained from the Sun
species distribution:: the pattern(s) in which organisms of one or more species live within a particular area. Species distribution is determined by the basic needs of the organisms.
species:: a type of organism. Individuals within a species are very similar and normally reproduce only with each other.
specific heat capacity:: the amount of thermal energy that must be absorbed or lost to change the temperature of 1 kg of a substance 1°C
specifications:: a set of standards or written instructions that define the requirements of a plan or structure
stamen:: male reproductive organ of a flower that includes the anther, filament, and pollen grains
stomata:: tiny openings (pores) in leaves through which carbon dioxide, water, and oxygen are exchanged with the atmosphere
structural adaptation:: a specialized body part that helps an organism survive in its environment and lifestyle (niche)
structure:
sublimate:: to turn a substance from gas to solid or solid to gas as thermal energy is removed or added without the substance going through the liquid state
succession:: the process in which organisms new to an ecosystem become established, usually replacing organisms that were in the ecosystem
sustainability:: the quality of being sustainable
sustainable:: of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using natural resources so the resources are being renewed at the same rate or faster than they are being used. In sustainable development, resources are neither used up nor permanently damaged.
symbiosis:: an interaction between organisms of different species living in close proximity to each other in a relationship that lasts over time
taproot:: a primary root that grows vertically downward and gives off small lateral roots. The taproot provides anchorage for the plant as well as access to water and nutrients deep in the soil.
temperature:: the average energy level of the particles in a substance
thermal (heat) energy:: the total kinetic energy of all the particles in a substance
thermal conductor:: a substance that transfers heat energy quickly
thermal insulator:: a substance that transfers heat energy very slowly
thermal pollution:: the release of waste thermal energy, causing unintended heating of the environment. Often, industrial discharge of heated water into a river, lake, or other body of water causes a rise in temperature that endangers aquatic life.
thermometer:: a mechanical or electrical device used for measuring temperature
topsoil:: the dark-coloured, humus-rich, topmost layer of soil
transpiration:: the process by which plants give off water vapour to the atmosphere; evaporation of water from leaves via the stomata
vapour:: gas
variable:: any factor that could change during the course of an investigation
variety:: differences. e.g., organisms of the same species that have slightly different characteristics (traits)
vegetative reproduction:: the reproduction of plants where a genetically identical offspring is grown from the roots, stems, or leaves of the parent plant; a form of asexual reproduction
vent:: an opening in Earth’s crust through which magma can escape, forming lava
volume:: the three-dimensional size of an object or substance; the amount of space it occupies
water cycle:: the world-wide circulation of water (powered by the Sun) between the atmosphere, surface water, and ground water
wave:: a disturbance or vibration passing from one point to another in a medium
weathered parent material:: material that provides the non-living part of the soil. It is formed from rock that has been broken down into small pieces.
weight:: the force of gravity exerted on a mass
wind energy:: energy obtained from moving air
xylem:: a network of vascular (like blood vessels) plant tissue that transports water and minerals absorbed by the roots throughout the plant
yield:: the amount of useful matter produced by a plant or group of plants