LSAT Common Knowledge Science Terms

Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin pioneered the theory of evolution and natural selection

Natural Selection

According to natural selection, traits that give an organism a reproductive advantage will be more likely to persist in future generations, gradually changing the species.

Gene

A gene is made of DNA. Our genes determine traits like height and shoe size.

Mutation

A mutation is a random genetic change. As genes replicate, sometimes there are errors and these errors create random new traits. 

Nature v. Nurture

Nature v. Nurture is the debate over whether traits are genetic or from our environment. 

Atmosphere

The atmosphere is the many layers of gases that surround the Earth and protect us from radiation and such. The stratosphere and troposphere are layers of the atmosphere. 

Planet

A planet orbits a star. The sun is the star that the Earth orbits. 

Asteroid

Asteroids also orbit stars, but they’re smaller than planets. They’re basically space rocks and have irregular orbits. Asteroids can enter our atmosphere as meteors. 

Ecosystem

An ecosystem is the group of all the living things in a given area. Many questions will talk about potential threats to an ecosystem, like an invasive species.

Global Warming

Global warming is the phenomenon that makes the Earth’s temperature gradually rise and melt the glaciers, which then causes sea levels to rise. It has been linked to carbon dioxide emissions and the burning of fossil fuels. 

Pesticides

Pesticides are chemicals that farmers spray on plants to kill insects. These chemicals can have negative consequences for the plant and the humans that ingest the plant. 

Carbon Dating

Carbon dating is a technique used by scientists to find out how old things are. It measures how much the carbon has decayed in the object the scientists want to date.