5th Grade: Lessons 10-13 Vocab

gyre

an area moving in a circular manner, such as those formed in the ocean by currents

North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone

a gyre located in the northern Pacific Ocean

marine debris

pieces of plastic that are found in the ocean

biodegradable

the ability to break down over time in nature

digest

to break down food inside the body

microplastics

extremely small bits of plastics

toxins

a substance that is poisonous to living things

entangled

became tangles or wrapped up; involved in something complicated

ability

the state of being able to do something

foundations

the bases of buildings

particles

very small pieces of something

crevices

narrow openings or cracks

specimens

examples of something

flourish

to thrive or to experience health and growth

unison

at the same time

contradict

to appear as the opposite

fluke

wing-shaped part of a whale’s tale

detach

to remove

embark

to begin