2025 7th grade Final Exam Vocabulary

state the problem/pose a question

1st step of the scientific method

research/gather information

2nd step of the scientific method

hypothesis

3rd step of the scientific method

experiment

4th step of the scientific method

collect and organize data

5th step of the scientific method

conclusion

6th step of the scientific method

communicate what you have learned

7th step of the scientific method

controlled experiment

experiment that only includes one manipulated variable

qualitative observations

observations that describe without numbers or amounts. ex. The desk is black

quantitative observations

observations that include a number/amount. ex. There are twenty-two students in the class.

manipulated variable

the variable purposely changed in the experiment (MIX)

responding variable

the variable that changes as a result/due to the manipulated variable (DRY)

inference

an explanation of your observations (past/present tense)

prediction

what might happen in the future

Dependent, Responding, Y axis

DRY in DRY MIX

Manipulated, Independent, X axis

MIX in DRY MIX

Metric System

It is the universal language of measurement. It is based on the number 10 so conversions are simple

meter

length base unit

gram

mass base unit

liter or cm3

volume base unit

celsius

temperature base unit

volume

the amount of space something takes up

length X width X height

how to find the volume for a rectangular shaped objects

displacement method

We use this method for irregularly shaped objects because we can't measure their length, width, height: find the initial volume of water, then place object in water and subtract the initial volume from new volume. The difference in volume is the volume of the object.

chromosomes

made up of a number of genes which are made of DNA. They control our traits and are passed on from parent to offspring

46

how many chromosomes a human body cell has

23

how many chromosomes a sex cell has

dominant allele

always shows whether you have 1 or 2 copies

recessive allele

may be hidden by the dominant and only shows when you have 2

Natural Selection

theory states that the individuals best adapted to their environment will survive and reproduce to pass on their favorable traits to offspring.

Charles Darwin

developed the theory of natural selection

diversity

important because it ensures that at least some of a species will survive. You never know which traits will be helpful in the future. If all were identical, whole species could go extinct at once.

cell membrane

controls what enters and leaves the cell.

cytoplasm

jelly-like substance that the organelles float in. Provides cushioning and support.

nuclear membrane

controls what enters and leaves the nucleus

nucleus

control center of the cell

chromosomes

passes genetic information along from generation to generation.

Contains the instructions to direct the cell's functions.

nucleolus

produces ribosomes

endoplasmic reticulum

A system of passageways that carry proteins and other materials from one part of the cell to another.

ribosomes

produce proteins

mitochondria

Power house of the cell. Site of cellular respiration. Convert energy in food molecules to energy that the cell can use

vacuoles

Store food, water and waste

lysosomes

Contain enzymes that break down food particles and worn-out cell parts. (Rare in plants)

cell wall

Plant cells only. Give plants a rigid; boxlike shape.

chloroplasts

Plant cells only. Site of photosynthesis.

respiration

Food (glucose) combines with oxygen to release energy. Occurs in both plant and animal cells

ATP energy

glucose + oxygen --> ___________ + carbon dioxide + water in the equation for which respiration

cells

All living things are made of _______

chemicals of life

Living things contain carbohydrates, fats/lipids, proteins, water and nucleic acids (DNA). We call these the ______________________

energy

Living things release and use _______ (metabolism)

reproduction

Living things come from other living things of the same species

response

The reaction of living things to stimuli in their environment

growth and development

Living things get larger in size and become more complex (acquire new skills or abilities)

characteristics

cells, chemicals of life, energy use, reproduction, response, growth and development are the 6 _______________ of living things

living space

4 basic needs of livings things are homeostasis , food, water and __________________

homeostasis

involves keeping the same conditions inside the organism regardless of the changing conditions outside the organism

unicellular

An organism that is made up of only one single cell.

multicellular

An organism that is made up of more than one cell.

cell

basic unit of structure and function in living things

tissue

a group of cells performing a similar function

organ

a group of tissues working together for a similar function

organ system

a group of organs working for a common purpose

organism

a group of systems working together

nerve

type of tissue that sends messages throughout body (ex. brain, spinal cord)

muscle

type of tissue that contracts to cause movement

(ex. bicep, along digestive tract)

muscle tissue

epithelial

tissue type that acts as a protective layer

(ex. skin, inside mouth)

epithelial tissue

connective

type of tissue that gives shape and structure, unites parts of body

(ex. bone, blood, tendon, cartilage)

movement

the five major functions of the skeletal system are: shape and support, ______________________, protection, production of red blood cells, and storage of minerals

skeletal

type of muscle that is voluntary and striated

(ex. bicep, quadricep)

smooth

type of muscle that is involuntary, not striated

(ex. digestive organs, diaphragm, bladder)

cardiac

type of muscle that is involuntary and striated (ex. heart ONLY)

digestive system

Take in food, break down food, absorb nutrients and get rid of solid wastes. Ingestion, digestion, absorption and elimination.

stomach, small intestine

order of digestive system: mouth, Esophagus, ________________, ________________________, Large Intestine, Rectum, Anus

arteries, veins, capillaries

3 types of blood vessels

heart

main organ of the circulatory system

circulatory system

carries needed materials to cells (food & oxygen) and carries waste products away from cells (carbon dioxide & wastes).

red blood cells

blood part that carries oxygen

white blood cells

part of blood that fights disease

respiratory

system that brings oxygen into your body and gets rid of carbon dioxide

trachea

Nose, Pharynx, Larynx,______________, Bronchus, Bronchioles, 7 Alveoli (Lungs)

oxygen and carbon dioxide

gases that are exchanged at the end of the respiratory path

contracts

your diaphragm does this to inhale

nervous system

receives information from inside and outside the body and directs how the body responds (if at all.) It coordinates the functioning of all body systems.

brain and spinal cord

make up the central nervous system

skeletal system

made up of bones and ligaments

Ecology

The study of how living things interact with each other and their environment

Ecosystem

A community of organisms living in the same area along with their nonliving surroundings.

Population

A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area

Community

Two or more populations of different species living in the same area

Species

A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.

producer

An organism that is able to produce its own food, also known as an autotroph.

Consumer

An organism that must eat other organisms to obtain energy, also known as a heterotroph.

biotic factors

The living, or once living components of a habitat

abiotic factors

Nonliving components of environment.