Science Review: Animal Adaptations, Natural Disasters, Force & Energy, and the Human Skeletal System

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering animal adaptations, natural disasters, work, energy, force, and the human skeletal and muscular system.

What are spiracles?

Special holes on the body of some insects used for breathing.

What are flippers, and what is their function in aquatic animals?

Special paddle-like limbs found in some aquatic animals that help them swim.

What is hibernation?

A state of deep sleep that some animals enter under unfavourable conditions.

Why do birds have hollow bones?

Hollow bones make their body lighter, which helps them to fly.

Why do fish have a streamlined body?

A streamlined body helps fish move easily through water.

Why do animals migrate to other places?

Migration helps animals find better living conditions, food, and a safe place to give birth to their young ones.

How is adaptation defined?

The process by which animals make physical and behavioral changes to adjust to their natural environment or habitat.

What are omnivores?

Animals that eat both plants and flesh.

How do insects move?

Insects move with the help of their legs.

What is a cuticle in insects?

The hard shell or outer covering present on some insects, such as ants and bees.

What is a habitat, and what are the two main types?

A habitat is the place where an animal lives, feeds, and reproduces. The two main types are terrestrial habitats (desert, polar region, mountain, grassland, forest) and aquatic habitats (marine, freshwater).

How do fish breathe using their gills?

Fish take in water through their mouth. As the water passes over the gills, oxygen is absorbed and carbon dioxide is released. The fish then opens the gill cover to let the water out.

How do the teeth of herbivores differ from the teeth of carnivores?

Herbivores have sharp incisors for biting and pulling plants along with strong molars and premolars for grinding food, whereas carnivores have sharp and well-developed canines to tear flesh.

How do different land animals adapt their limbs for movement?

Humans use hind limbs to walk and run and forelimbs to hold objects; animals like horses, lions, and cows use all four limbs to walk and run; crocodiles and lizards have short limbs used to crawl; snakes lack limbs entirely and move using scales.

How do porcupines protect themselves from predators?

Porcupines use their quills to protect themselves from predators.

What four features help a bird to fly?

1) Wings to fly, 2) A streamlined body to move through the air, 3) Hollow bones that make the body lighter, and 4) Strong chest muscles to move their wings.

Define seismologist, seismology, and seismometer.

A seismologist is a scientist who studies earthquakes; seismology is the scientific study of earthquakes; and a seismometer is an instrument used to detect and measure earthquakes.

Why can deforestation on mountains lead to landslides?

Trees help keep the soil in place, so cutting them down increases the risk of landslides.

Why do forest fires spread rapidly in the direction of blowing winds?

With the blowing wind, the fire receives more oxygen and the availability of dry leaves increases.

What is lava?

The hot molten rock or magma that comes out of a volcano onto the surface.

What is an earthquake, and how is its intensity measured?

An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the Earth's crust. Its intensity is measured on the Richter scale, which ranges from $1$ to $10$.

What are tectonic plates?

Massive interlocking blocks of rock that make up the Earth's crust.

What safety precautions should be taken during an earthquake?

Do not use elevators; if indoors, stand against a wall or take cover under a table; if outdoors, move to an open space away from buildings and trees; and do not use candles.

How do volcanoes form and erupt?

Due to high temperature and pressure under the Earth's crust, rocks melt into magma. Magma collects in a chamber beneath the volcano, and when pressure builds up, it is forced out through the vent.

What natural situations do the two drawings in this picture illustrate?

One picture shows drought and the other picture shows floods.

What are the causes and safety precautions for droughts and floods?

Causes: Lack of rainfall causes drought, and excess rainfall causes floods. Precautions during floods: Move to higher grounds and stay away from floodwater. Precautions during drought: Avoid wasting water and take short showers.

Define force and work.

Force is a push or pull on an object. Work is done when an object moves in the direction of the applied force.

Why is a porter carrying a load on his head and standing in one place not doing any work?

Work is only done when an object moves in the direction of the applied force; because the porter is standing still at one place, no movement occurs and no work is done.

What is the difference between kinetic energy and potential energy?

Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its movement, whereas potential energy is the energy an object has because of its position.

What is geothermal energy?

Geothermal energy is the energy obtained from the Earth's core.

What kind of force is used in the game of tug-of-war?

A pulling force is used by both teams in a game of tug-of-war.

What are five different effects of force on an object?

1) Move a stationary object, 2) Stop a moving object, 3) Change the direction of a moving object, 4) Change the shape of an object, and 5) Change the speed of an object.

How is electricity generated from hydro energy?

Water is collected in a lake behind a dam and dropped from a height to turn turbines, which spin generators to produce electricity.

What is the relationship between work and energy, and what are two everyday examples?

Work and energy are closely related; energy is the capacity or ability to do work. Example 1: Humans eat food to gain energy to do work. Example 2: Engines use fuel (petrol or diesel) to provide energy to run.

What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable sources of energy?

Renewable sources of energy can be renewed or replenished by nature in a short period of time, whereas non-renewable sources are present in limited quantities and will not last for a long time.

State the law of conservation of energy.

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it only changes from one form to another.

What are cardiac muscles, and how do they function?

Cardiac muscles are involuntary, very strong muscles present in the heart that work non-stop without tiring.

What are the five main functions of the human skeleton?

1) Forms a framework that gives shape to the body, 2) Supports various body organs, 3) Protects vital organs, 4) Helps move body parts along with muscles, and 5) Houses bone marrow inside long bones and ribs to produce red and white blood cells.

Why are the last two pairs of ribs called floating ribs?

Because they are not attached to the sternum in the front.

Why does the human heart not have voluntary muscles?

Heartbeat does not require conscious control because it is regulated automatically by the brain.

What is the function of synovial fluid?

Synovial fluid is present between joints to help movable joints move smoothly without friction.

What is the function of the human backbone?

The backbone protects the spinal cord and, together with strong back muscles, holds the body erect and aids in movement.

Where are the tibia and fibula located in the human body?

The tibia and fibula are located in the hind limbs (lower leg).

What are the four types of movable joints and where are they located?

1) Pivot joint: Between skull and first vertebra (Atlas); moves up, down, sideways. 2) Ball and socket joint: Shoulder and hip joints; moves in many directions. 3) Hinge joint: Elbows, knees, fingers, and toes; moves in one direction. 4) Gliding joint: Wrists, ankles, and between vertebrae; allows bending, turning, and twisting.

Describe the structure of the human rib cage.

The rib cage is formed of 12 pairs of bow-shaped bones called ribs. All 12 pairs attach to the backbone at the back, but only 10 pairs attach to the sternum in front, leaving the last two pairs as floating ribs.