Science exam stuff

Reproduction

The biological process by which new individual organisms are produced from their parents.

Variation

Differences in characteristics between individuals in a population, often due to genetic differences.

Asexual Reproduction

A type of reproduction that does not involve the fusion of gametes, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.

Sexual Reproduction

A form of reproduction involving the fusion of two gametes (sperm and egg), resulting in genetically diverse offspring.

Gamete

A reproductive cell (sperm in males, egg in females) that contains half the number of chromosomes of a normal cell.

Organism

A living individual entity that can carry out life processes independently.

Cell

The basic unit of life, consisting of a membrane-bound structure that contains organelles and genetic material.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that contains the genetic code unique to each individual.

Gene

A segment of DNA that carries the information necessary to produce a specific protein or trait.

Chromosome

A thread-like structure located in the nucleus of cells, made of DNA and proteins, carrying genetic information.

Nucleotide

The building block of DNA and RNA, consisting of a sugar, phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Allele

A variant form of a gene that may produce different traits or characteristics.

Karyotype

An organized profile of an individual's chromosomes, used to detect genetic abnormalities.

Punnett Squares

Diagrams used to predict the possible genetic outcomes of offspring based on the genetic makeup of the parents.

Dominant Allele

An allele that expresses its trait when present in either a single or double copy.

Recessive Allele

An allele that only expresses its trait when two copies are present and no dominant allele is present.

Purebred Organism

An organism that carries identical alleles for a particular trait.

Pedigree Chart

A diagram that shows the inheritance pattern of traits across generations in a family.

Puberty

The developmental stage during which an individual becomes capable of reproduction, marked by physical and hormonal changes.

Hormone

A chemical messenger produced by glands in the body, responsible for regulating various physiological processes.

Testes

Male reproductive organs that produce sperm and the hormone testosterone.

Ovaries

Female reproductive organs that produce eggs and the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Physical Change

A change affecting one or more physical properties of a substance without altering its chemical composition.

Chemical Change

A process where substances undergo a transformation to become different substances with new chemical properties.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element, consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Proton

A positively charged particle found in the nucleus of an atom; it defines the element's identity.

Electron

A negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom; involved in chemical bonding.

Neutron

A neutral particle found in the nucleus of an atom; contributes to the atomic mass.

Nucleus

The central part of an atom containing protons and neutrons; it is positively charged.

Element

A pure substance made of only one type of atom; cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

Ion

An atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net charge.

Compound

A substance formed when two or more elements chemically bond together.

Chemical Reaction

A process where reactants are transformed into products through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds.

Conservation of Mass

A principle stating that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.

Acid

A substance that donates protons (H⁺ ions) in a solution.

Base

A substance that accepts protons or donates hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in a solution.

Alkali

A type of base that dissolves in water and produces hydroxide ions.

Concentrated

A solution that has a large amount of solute relative to the solvent.

Dilute

A solution that has a small amount of solute relative to the solvent.

Neutralisation

A chemical reaction between an acid and a base that produces water and a salt.

Chemical word equation

A way to describe a chemical reaction using the names of the reactants and products. For example, "hydrogen + oxygen → water."

Chemical symbol equation

A representation of a chemical reaction using chemical formulas and symbols.

Litmus paper

An indicator used to test whether a substance is acidic or basic. It turns red in acid and blue in base.

Universal indicator

A pH indicator that changes color based on the acidity or basicity of a solution, showing a range of colors from red (acid) to purple (base).

Hot spot volcano

A type of volcano that forms above a hot spot, an area where magma from deep within the mantle melts through the crust, often far from tectonic plate boundaries.

Convection current

The movement of fluid in the mantle caused by the heat from the Earth's core, which creates a circular pattern of rising hot material and sinking cooler material. These currents drive the movement of tectonic plates.

Crust

The outermost layer of the Earth, composed of solid rocks. It is thinner under the oceans (oceanic crust) and thicker under the continents (continental crust).

Mantle

The thick layer of the Earth located between the crust and the core, composed of silicate rocks that are semi-solid and capable of slow flow.

Outer core

The liquid layer of the Earth's core, composed mainly of iron and nickel, located between the mantle and the inner core. It generates Earth's magnetic field.

Inner core

The solid, dense center of the Earth, composed mainly of iron and nickel. It remains solid due to the immense pressure despite its high temperature.

Magma

Molten rock found beneath the Earth's surface. When magma reaches the surface, it is known as lava.

Lava

Molten rock that erupts from a volcano or fissure and solidifies as it cools. Lava is magma that has reached the Earth's surface.

Lava field

A large expanse of solidified lava, often created by multiple eruptions that spread lava over wide areas.

Scoria cone

A small, steep-sided volcano formed from the accumulation of volcanic fragments called scoria, which are ejected during eruptions.

Lava cave

A natural tunnel formed within solidified lava as the molten rock continues to flow beneath the surface.

Moat

In geology, a depression or trough surrounding a volcanic cone, often filled with water or sediments… NEED TO EDIT GPT GOT IT BAD

Scoria rock

A porous volcanic rock that forms when gas-rich magma cools rapidly, trapping gas bubbles inside.

Basalt rock

A dark, dense igneous rock that forms from the rapid cooling of basaltic lava, commonly found in oceanic crust.

Silica

A mineral made of silicon and oxygen. It is a major component of many rocks and influences the viscosity of magma.

Viscosity

A measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. In geology, it refers to how easily magma or lava can flow, depending on its composition.

Weathering

The breakdown of rocks and minerals at the Earth's surface due to physical, chemical, or biological processes.

Primary succession

The process of life colonizing a barren environment, such as newly formed volcanic rock, where no soil or organisms previously existed.