High School NH SAS Science Vocabulary

acceleration

the rate at which velocity (speed) changes over time

adaptation

an inherited characteristic that gives an organism a survival advantage in its environment

amplitude

the maximum distance particles of a medium move from their resting point as a wave passes through them

atomic structure

the structure of the atom, consisting of positively charged protons and neutral neutrons in a dense nucleus, surrounded by negatively charged electrons

chromosome

coiled structures made of DNA and proteins that form during cell division

claim

an argument that is made and can be supported by evidence

climate change

periodic modifications of Earth's climate brought about by changes in the atmosphere and its interactions with the geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere

diversity

variation between individuals in a population or ecosystem

DNA

deoxyribonucleaic acid; a molecule that is passed from parent to offspring that carries the instructions for building proteins

ecosystem

all the living and nonliving things in an area and their interactions

element

the simplest form of matter that has a unique set of properties

feedback

a response within a system, such as an organism or ecosystem, that influences further activity in the system

force

a push or pull acting on an object or particle

frequency

the rate at which something occurs

homeotasis

the process by which an organism maintains a stable internal environment despite changes in its external environment

inheritable genetic variation

differences in the DNA of organisms that can be passed on from parent to offspring

mass

the amount of matter something contains

mathematical representation

The use of models such as simulations, algorithms, graphs, or equations to represent mathematical ideas

matter

anything that has mass and takes up space (volume)

natural hazard

environmental phenomenon that have the potential to negatively affect humans

natural resource

something produced by nature without human intervention that can be used for human benefit

organism

a living thing; something that is made of one or more cells, reproduces, responds to stimuli, contains DNA, grows and develops, metabolizes, and maintains homeostasis.

periodic table

a chart in which the 118 known elements are arranged in order of increasing number of protons and organized into groups based on their properties

population

a group of organisms of the same species living together in a specific area

probability

the chance that something will occur

protein

a molecule made up of amino acids that plays many important roles in the structure and function of living things

rate of change

the speed at which a variable changes over time

reaction rate

in a chemical reaction, the change in amount of reactant or product over time

societal need

things needed for human survival, such as food, water, shelter, and energy

solar system

the sun and the objects that orbit it, such as planets, their moons, and asteroids

wave speed

the distance a wave travels in a given amount of time