science

Organism

A living thing

Photosynthesis

Production of glucose and oxygen by plants

Joule (or calorie)

A unit for measuring energy

Food chain

A way of showing feeding relationships

Energy flow

A way of showing where energy is transferred

Producer

The first organism in a food chain, a plant

Primary consumer

The second organism in a food chain, eats the producer

Secondary consumer

The third organism in a food chain, eats the primary consumer

Tertiary consumer

The fourth organism in a food chain, eats the secondary consumer

Food web

Shows all the feeding relationships in a certain area

Sustainable

Minimal negative impact on the environment

Detritivores

Organisms that eat dead waste to cycle it into nutrients for plants

Nutrients

Food molecules that are needed for life and growth

Daily value

The amount of nutrient that is needed per day

Indicators

Used to show if a certain substance is present or absent

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are for building and energy

Proteins

Proteins are for building, because cells are built out of proteins

Lipids

Lipids are fat and they’re used for energy

Vitamins

Vitamins we also need in small amounts and to keep us healthy

Minerals

Minerals we only need in small amounts and help to keep us healthy. Examples are calcium for strong bones and iron for your red blood cells.

Water

Water is important for transport, cooling down and removing waste from your body

Fibres

Fibre cannot be broken down in your body. It helps your food move through your digestive system

Digestion

The process of breaking down food in your body

Enzymes

Molecules that help break down large food molecules into small ones

Carnivore

An animal that only eats meat

Herbivore

An animal that only eats plants

Omnivore

An animal that only eats meats and plants

Egestion

The process of removing waste products (pooping)

Digestive system

A system that works together on the breaking down and absorbing nutrients

Ingestion

When food is put into your mouth

Incisors

Small sharp teeth at the front of your mouth, used for biting and slicing

Canines

Sharpy point teeth at the front of the mouth, used for gripping and ripping

Molars

Large flat teeth at the top of the mouth, used for grinding and mixing

Oesophagus

The tube that connects the stomach to the mouth

Stomach

A bag-like organ that collects the food and helps with digestion

Large intestine

A long tube in your digestive system that absorbs many nutrients in your food

Small intestine

A long tube in your digestive system that breaks down many nutrients in your food

Faeces

The scientific word for poop

Combustion

The process of burning a substance to release energy

Aerobic respiration

Combustion with the aid of oxygen

Anaerobic respiration

Combustion that occurs without oxygen, which produces lactic acid

Oxygen debt

The shortage of oxygen that occurs when your body needs to break down lactic acid

Fermentation

A form of anaerobic respiration that produces alcohol

Complete combustion

Combustion where the fuel is burned completely

Incomplete combustion

Combustion that happens when there is not enough oxygen or heat, causing additional substances to form

Fire triangle

The fire triangle is an easily understandable model that explains the ingredients required for combustion.