gen sci

Nucleus

Cell structure containing genetic material and controlling cell activities

Mitochondria

Cell organelle that produces ATP and provides usable energy

Ribosomes

Cell structures that make proteins

Cell membrane

Thin barrier that regulates what enters and leaves the cell

Cytoplasm

Fluid-like material inside the cell where many reactions occur

Chloroplast

Plant cell organelle where photosynthesis occurs

Cell wall

Rigid outer layer that provides structural support in plant cells

DNA

Molecule that stores genetic information

Gene

Segment of DNA that contains instructions for a trait

Chromosome

Organized structure made of DNA and proteins

Allele

A version or form of a gene

Dominant

Allele expressed when present under standard Mendelian conditions

Recessive

Allele usually expressed only when two copies are present

Kingdom

First and broadest major classification level

Phylum

Classification level below kingdom

Class

Classification level below phylum

Order

Classification level below class

Family

Classification level below order

Genus

Classification level below family

Species

Most specific major classification level

Classification Order

Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species

Producer

Organism that makes its own food, usually using sunlight

Primary Consumer

Organism that eats producers

Secondary Consumer

Organism that eats primary consumers

Tertiary Consumer

Organism that eats secondary consumers

Food Chain

Sequence showing how energy passes from one organism to another

Food Web

Network of interconnected food chains

Population

All members of one species living in an area

Community

All populations of different species living in an area

Ecosystem

Community of organisms and their physical environment

Habitat

The place where an organism normally lives

Niche

An organism's role and position in its environment

Symbiosis

Close relationship between organisms of different species

Heart

Organ that pumps blood throughout the body

Blood Flow

Body → right heart → lungs → left heart → body

Gas Exchange

Process where oxygen enters blood and carbon dioxide leaves blood

Oxygen (O₂)

Gas that enters the blood in the lungs and is used by cells

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Waste gas that leaves the blood in the lungs

Mouth

Beginning of the digestive tract where food enters

Esophagus

Tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach

Stomach

Organ that stores and digests food

Small Intestine

Organ where most nutrient absorption occurs

Large Intestine

Organ that absorbs water and forms feces

Rectum

Stores feces before elimination

Anus

Opening through which feces leave the body

Proton

Positively charged subatomic particle

Neutron

Neutral subatomic particle

Electron

Negatively charged subatomic particle

Atomic Number

Number of protons in an atom

Atom

Smallest unit of an element that retains its properties

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space

Solid

State of matter with definite shape and volume

Liquid

State of matter with definite volume but no definite shape

Gas

State of matter with no definite shape or volume

Melting

Change from solid to liquid

Vaporization

Change from liquid to gas

Condensation

Change from gas to liquid

Freezing

Change from liquid to solid

Alkali Metals

Group 1 elements; very reactive metals

Alkaline Earth Metals

Group 2 elements; reactive metals

Halogens

Group 17 elements; very reactive nonmetals

Noble Gases

Group 18 elements; generally very unreactive gases

Crust

Earth's thin outermost layer

Mantle

Earth's thick layer beneath the crust

Core

Earth's innermost layer

Earth's Layers

Crust → Mantle → Core

Fault

Fracture in Earth's crust where movement can occur

Earthquake

Ground shaking caused by sudden movement of Earth's crust

Magma

Molten rock beneath Earth's surface

Lava

Molten rock that reaches Earth's surface

Volcano

Opening or structure where magma, gases, and ash can escape

Troposphere

Lowest atmospheric layer where weather occurs

Stratosphere

Atmospheric layer above the troposphere containing the ozone layer

Mesosphere

Atmospheric layer above the stratosphere

Thermosphere

Atmospheric layer above the mesosphere with very high temperatures

Exosphere

Outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere

Atmosphere Layers

Troposphere → Stratosphere → Mesosphere → Thermosphere → Exosphere

Air Density

How much mass of air is contained in a given volume

Air Pressure

Force exerted by the weight of air

High Pressure

Area where air pressure is relatively high

Low Pressure

Area where air pressure is relatively low

Cirrus

High, thin, wispy clouds

Cumulus

Puffy clouds often associated with fair weather

Stratus

Low, layered clouds

Cirro

Cloud prefix meaning high altitude

Alto

Cloud prefix meaning middle altitude

Nimbus

Cloud term indicating precipitation

Rotation

Earth spinning on its axis, causing day and night

Revolution

Earth's movement around the Sun, producing a year

Solar Eclipse

When the Moon is between the Sun and Earth

Lunar Eclipse

When Earth is between the Sun and Moon

Moon's Revolution

The Moon's movement around Earth

Day and Night

Caused by Earth's rotation

Year

Caused by Earth's revolution around the Sun