(UPCAT) SCIENCE

Rocks

organic material that form’s the earth’s crust

Mineral

inorganic material that form’s the earth’s crust

Igneous

magma/lava solidify or crystallize

Intrusive Igneous Rock

Crystallize underground ; large crystals

Extrusive Igneous Rock

Crystallize above ground ; glassy texture

Sedimentary

Rock residue ; where FOSSILS are found

Metamorphic

High temperature & pressure DEEP IN THE EARTH

Relative Dating

Estimate rock age

(Steno’s Laws) Super Position

Rock above is younger than the one below it

(Steno’s Laws) Cross-cutting Relationship

younger than the rocks they cut

Hardness

resist scratch

Color

least reliable most obvious

Streak

Color in powdered form ; true color

Density

Mineral’s composition

Crystalline Structure

arrangement of atoms, molecules or ions

Cleavage

Where it WOULD break

Luster

reflect light

Angle of Repose

steepest angle where an unrefined material can be put in without sliding

Accuracy

closeness to true value

Precision

closeness of set a set of data points to each other

Stars

Ball of gas that produce energy through nuclear fusion
(RED - coldest | BLUE - hottest)

Nebula

where star is born

Main sequence

rapid growth

Blackhole

compression due to gravity

Quassar

energetic nuclei

Pulsar

Neutron star with high magnetic field

White Dwarf

dying star

Giants

Main sequence max

Asteroids

Failed planets

Comets

ice around star

Lightyear

9.46×10^12km

Earth

about 4.5B YEARS OLD has an OBLATE SPHEROID shape and is about 6×1024 kg heavy. axist tilts 23.5 degrees from vertical

Longest Day

summer solstice

shortest day

winter solstice

equal

equinox

Apogee

lower tides

perigee

higher tides

spring tide

high = higher | low - lower

Neap tides

High = lower | low - higher

Solar eclipse

During daytime
SUN - MOON - EARTH

Lunar Eclipse

During night time
SUN - EARTH - MOON

New Moon

Moon is invisible; between Earth and Sun.

Waxing Crescent

Small sliver visible on the right.

First Quarter

Half of the Moon visible on the right.

Waxing Gibbous

More than half visible, growing toward full.

Full Moon

Entire Moon is visible.

Waning Gibbous

Shrinking; more than half visible on the left.

Last Quarter

Half of the Moon visible on the left.

Waning Crescent

Small sliver visible on the left.

Sunrise

Sun rises in the east.

Solar Noon

Sun at its highest point.

Sunset

Sun sets in the west.

Gene

Unit of heredity controlling traits.

Allele

Different forms of a gene (dominant/recessive).

Dominant

Trait expressed if present (e.g., "A").

Recessive

Trait expressed only if both alleles are recessive (e.g., "a").

Homozygous

Two identical alleles (AA or aa).

Heterzygous

Two different alleles (Aa).

Genotype

Genetic makeup of an organism (e.g., AA, Aa).

Phenotype

Physical expression of traits.

Law of segregation

Each parent passes only one allele for each gene to offspring.

Law of Independent Assortment

Genes for different traits are inherited separately (e.g., hair color doesn’t affect height).

Central Dogma

Flow of genetic information from DNA → RNA → Protein.

Transcription

DNA is converted into RNA.

Translation

RNA is used to make proteins.

DNA

Genetic material containing instructions for traits

RNA

Messenger that carries DNA instructions to make proteins.

Proteins

Molecules that perform functions in the body (e.g., enzymes, hormones).

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.

Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem (e.g., plants, animals).

Abiotic Factors

Non-living components (e.g., water, temperature, soil)

Producers

Organisms that make their own food (e.g., plants).

Consumers

Organisms that eat other organisms (e.g., animals)

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead matter (e.g., fungi, bacteria).

Food Chain

A sequence showing how energy flows from one organism to another.

Food Web

A network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

Niche

The role or function of an organism in its ecosystem.

Habitat

The physical place where an organism lives.

Biogeochemical Cycle

The circulation of elements (carbon, nitrogen, etc.) through living organisms and the environment.

Carbon Cycle

The movement of carbon through the atmosphere, organisms, and Earth (e.g., photosynthesis, respiration).

Nitrogen Cycle

The process by which nitrogen moves through the atmosphere, soil, and living organisms (e.g., nitrogen fixation, denitrification).

Water Cycle

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth’s surface (e.g., evaporation, precipitation).

Oxygen Cycle

The movement of oxygen through the atmosphere, organisms, and Earth (e.g., respiration, photosynthesis).

Phosphorus Cycle

The movement of phosphorus through the environment, primarily in soil and water, to organisms.

Sulfur Cycle

The movement of sulfur through the atmosphere, soil, and living organisms (e.g., volcanic activity, decomposition).

Biodiversity

Variety of life on Earth

Species Diversity

Number of species in an area.

Genetic Diversity

Variation of genes in a species.

Ecosystem Diversity

Variety of ecosystems

Endemic Species

Species found only in one place.

Conservation

Protecting biodiversity.

Extinction

Permanent loss of a species.

Threatened Species

Species at risk of becoming endangered.

Endangered Species

Species close to extinction.

Habitat Loss

Destruction of natural habitats.

Density

m/v
m = mass (d ⋅ v)
v = volume (L ⋅ W ⋅ H)