CSEC Integrated Science Exam Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Modules 1, 2, and 3 of the CSEC Integrated Science Syllabus, including biological processes, energy physics, and terrestrial environment chemistry.

Diffusion

The movement of particles from HIGH concentration to LOW concentration, down the concentration gradient; it requires no energy.

Osmosis

The movement of WATER molecules from HIGH water concentration to LOW water concentration through a selectively permeable membrane.

Active Transport

The movement of particles from LOW concentration to HIGH concentration, AGAINST the concentration gradient; it REQUIRES ENERGY (ATP).

Mitochondria

The site of respiration within the cell where energy is released.

Cell Wall

A structure made of cellulose present in plant cells ONLY that provides strength and support.

Mitosis

Cell division used for growth and repair that produces 2 identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

Cell division for sexual reproduction that produces 4 genetically different cells (gametes) and halves the chromosome number.

Corms

Short, swollen underground stems; example organisms include dasheen and eddoes.

Pollination

The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Organisms that convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia or nitrates that plants can use, such as Rhizobium in root nodules.

Oviduct (Fallopian tube)

The organ that carries the egg from the ovary to the uterus and serves as the site of fertilisation.

Ovulation

The release of an egg from the ovary, usually occurring on Day 14 of the menstrual cycle and triggered by an LH surge.

Plasma

The liquid part of blood (approximately 55%) that transports food, hormones, $CO_2$, waste, and heat.

White Blood Cells (WBCs)

Blood components consisting of Lymphocytes (produce antibodies) and Phagocytes (engulf pathogens by phagocytosis).

Xylem

Plant tissue that carries water and mineral salts from roots to leaves in one direction.

Blood Group AB

The 'Universal Recipient' blood type, which contains Antigens A and B on Red Blood Cells and has no antibodies in the plasma.

Ultra-filtration

The process where blood is filtered under high pressure in the glomerulus, moving small molecules into the Bowman's capsule.

ADH (Anti-Diuretic Hormone)

A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that causes kidneys to reabsorb more water, resulting in concentrated urine.

Accommodation

The process by which ciliary muscles and suspensory ligaments change the shape of the lens to adjust focus on near or far objects.

Myopia (Short-sightedness)

A sight defect where the eyeball is too long and the image forms in FRONT of the retina; it is corrected with a CONCAVE lens.

Cochlea

The snail-shaped, fluid-filled part of the ear that converts vibrations into nerve impulses.

Medulla oblongata

The part of the brain that controls involuntary actions such as breathing, heartbeat, and swallowing.

Adrenaline

A hormone produced by the adrenal glands for the 'fight or flight' response; it increases heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose.

Hypertension

High blood pressure caused by obesity, stress, or diet, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Law of Conservation of Energy

The principle stating that energy CANNOT be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another.

Photosynthesis (Balanced Equation)

The chemical process represented by: $6CO_2 + 6H_2O \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$.

Ecosystem

A community of organisms together with their physical environment.

Bile

A substance produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder that emulsifies fats to increase surface area for lipase.

Aerobic Respiration

Respiration with oxygen that produces $38\text{ ATP}$ using the formula: $C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{ENERGY (ATP)}$.

Alveoli

The site of gaseous exchange in the lungs characterized by a large surface area, thin walls, and a good blood supply.

Tar

A substance in cigarette smoke that coats the lining of airways, paralyses cilia, and causes lung cancer.

Acid Rain

Environmental damage caused when $SO_2$ from burning fossil fuels reacts with water in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid.

Ohm's Law

The electrical principle defined by the formula: $V = I \times R$, where $V$ is voltage, $I$ is current, and $R$ is resistance.

Electrical Power Formula

The formula used to calculate power in Watts: $P = I \times V$.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh)

The unit of energy consumption used for electricity billing, calculated as $\text{Power} \times \text{Time}$.

Convection

Heat transfer through fluids (liquids and gases) by currents where hot fluid rises and cool fluid sinks.

Hurricane Requirements

Environmental conditions including warm ocean water ($> 26^\text{o}\text{C}$), low wind shear, and a moist atmosphere.

Archimedes' Principle

The principle that an object immersed in fluid experiences an upthrust equal to the weight of fluid displaced.

The Bends (Decompression sickness)

A condition caused by rising too quickly from a dive where nitrogen comes out of blood solution as bubbles, causing pain or paralysis.

Newton's Second Law

The law of motion defined by the formula: $F = m \times a$, where $F$ is force, $m$ is mass, and $a$ is acceleration.

Momentum

A physical quantity defined by the formula: $p = m \times v$, where $m$ is mass and $v$ is velocity.

Mechanical Advantage

A measure of machine effectiveness calculated as: $\text{MA} = \text{Load} \times \frac{1}{\text{Effort}}$.

Hinge Joint

A joint allowing movement in one plane only, such as the elbow or knee.

Antagonistic muscles

Muscles that work in pairs where one contracts (e.g., bicep) while the other relaxes (e.g., tricep).

Rusting Equation

The chemical reaction: $\text{Iron} + \text{Oxygen} + \text{Water} \rightarrow \text{Iron oxide (rust)}$.

Galvanizing

The process of coating iron with zinc to prevent rust, which provides sacrificial protection even if the coating is damaged.

Neutralisation

A chemical reaction between an acid and a base to produce salt and water: $\text{Acid} + \text{Base} \rightarrow \text{Salt} + \text{Water}$.

Plasma (State of Matter)

The fourth state of matter, consisting of superheated gas where electrons are stripped from atoms, found in lightning and stars.

Colloid

A mixture containing intermediate-sized particles that do not settle and appear cloudy, such as milk or fog.

Eutrophication

A water pollution process where excess nitrates/phosphates cause algal blooms, leading to oxygen depletion and fish kills.