Spring Benchmark Science Study Guide Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on the Spring Benchmark Science Study Guide to help review important concepts.

Igneous Rock Formation

Molten rock (magma) cools and crystallizes into solid rock. Can occur intrusively (underground) or extrusively (above ground).

Metamorphic Rock Formation

Rock that forms when existing rock is buried deep and subjected to high temperature and pressure, changing its form.

Sedimentary Rock Formation

Rock formed from layers of sediment (worn down pieces of rock) joined together by compaction and cementation; the only rock layer containing fossils.

Sedimentary Rock Characteristics

Rock formed in layers, may contain fossils, made of small pieces of other rocks.

Sediment Formation

The process by which rocks are broken down into sediments through weathering and erosion.

Physical Weathering

The breakdown of rocks by physical means such as ice, wind, water, or gravity, resulting in smaller pieces of the same material.

Chemical Weathering

The breakdown of rocks by chemical reactions such as acid rain, dissolving limestone, or rust, resulting in a different material.

Weathering force behind Caves and Canyons

The wearing away of earth features by water and gravity that leads to the creation of caves and canyons.

Pangea

A supercontinent in Earth's past where all continents were joined together.

Fossil Distribution on Different Continents

The reason that the same fossils are found on different continents. The continents were connected to each other in the past.

Geothermal/Core Heat Influence on Plate Tectonics

Heat from within the earth that affects plate tectonics by creating magma, which rises and pushes the plates across the surface through convection currents.

Subduction Zone

Areas along the edge of plates where one plate is forced under another and is dissolved and recycled.

Plate Boundary Type at Subduction Zones

A plate boundary where plates move towards each other.

Features Formed at Subduction Zones

Deep ocean trenches, mountain ranges, and volcanoes.

Creations Due to Seafloor Spreading

Deep ocean trenches and mountain ranges form due to plates moving away from each other.

Plate Movement that Causes Seafloor Spreading

New rock forms between plates pushing them apart. Convection currents cause magma to fill the gap.

Renewable Resource

Something humans use that can be easily replaced or is not used up when we use it.

Examples of Renewable Resources

Solar power, hydroelectric power

Nonrenewable Resource

Things humans use that are used up and not easily replaced.

Examples of Nonrenewable Resource

Fossil fuels (oil, coal, gasoline, natural gas)

Commensalism

A relationship where one organism benefits, and the other is not affected.

Examples of Commensalism

Barnacles on whales, cattle egrets and grazing mammals.

Mutualism

A relationship where both organisms benefit.

Examples of Mutualism

Plover birds cleaning alligator teeth.

Parasitism

A relationship where one organism benefits, and the other is harmed.

Examples of Parasitism

Tapeworms and humans, oxpeckers and grazing mammals.

Predation

A relationship where a predator hunts and eats prey.

Examples of Predation

Wolves and rabbits

Competition

A interaction where two organisms are after the same resources.

Examples of Competition

Two lions after food, lion and hyenas.

Biotic/Living Limiting Factors

Living factors that could affect populations, such as plants (producers), prey species, and mates.

Abiotic/Nonliving Limiting Factors

Nonliving factors that could affect populations, such as water, access to sunlight, territory, and places to live.