IQWST IC3 - Vocabulary

Photosynthesis

process by which plants and some other organisms use light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose

cellular respiration

Process that releases energy by breaking down glucose and other food molecules in the presence of oxygen

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

odorless gas that is a product of cellular respiration and that plants absorb in the process of photosynthesis

Oxygen (O2)

gas that enters the blood through the lungs and travels to the heart to be pumped via arteries to body cells. Used in cellular respiration

chemical reaction

the process by which one or more substances change to produce one or more different substances. molecules break apart or rearrange to form new molecules

glucose

A simple sugar that is an important source of energy. Produced in photosynthesis. Used in cellular respiration

Chloroplast

organelle found in cells of plants and some other organisms that captures the energy from sunlight and converts it into chemical energy. Where photosynthesis takes place

Stomata

Small openings on the underside of a leaf through which oxygen and carbon dioxide can move

independent variable

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

dependent variable

The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable. variable we measure

experimental group

In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.

control group

In an experiment, the group that is NOT exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.

sample size

The number of subjects used in an experiment or study. Generally, the larger the better.

Reactant

a substance that takes part in and undergoes change during a reaction.

Product

A substance produced in a chemical reaction

Carbohydrates

the starches and sugars present in foods; broken down to glucose to provide energy

Proteins

Nutrients the body uses to build and maintain its cells and tissues. built from amino acids

Fats

lipids that are solid at room temperature. animals store energy as fats

Starch

soft, white, tasteless powder that is insoluble in cold water, alcohol, or other solvents. complex carbs - multiple subunits connected together

Metabolism

the chemical changes that take place in the cell, make energy and materials that organisms need to grow and/or repair itself

Energy

the ability to do work

Food

molecules that provide our bodies with energy. Proteins, fats and carbohydrates

Energy Conversion

The change of energy from one type to another

Nutrients

A substance or ingredient that provides energy and promotes growth

triglyceride

occurring naturally in animal and vegetable tissues; it consists of three individual fatty acids bound together in a single large molecule

Amino Acid

Building blocks of proteins

enzyme

produced by cells to start chemical reactions

Chemical Indicator

A substance that gives a visible sign when something is present.

Simple sugar

made up of a single sugar molecule, glucose, fructose or galactose

Complex Carbohydrate

Made of sugar molecules strung together in longer chains

digestion

The process of breaking down food to be used by the body

Law of conservation of matter

Matter can neither be created or destroyed, but only rearranged in chemical reactions

Cellular Respiration

Process by which organisms combine oxygen and food to create usable energy

Mitochondria

Powerhouse of cell, site of ATP (energy) production

exercise

a purposeful physical activity that maintains or improves physical fitness

Calories

unit used to measure energy used by the body and the energy that food supplies