UPCAT REVIEWER

Trigonometry

Branch of math studying triangles, sides, and angles

Degree Measure

360 degrees in 1 revolution

Radian Measure

2π radians in 1 revolution

Trigonometric Functions

Express ratios of triangle sides to internal angles

Opposite Side

Side of triangle across the angle

Adjacent Side

Side of triangle next to the angle

Hypotenuse

Longest side of a right triangle

Quadrants

Four sections of the xy-plane

Special Angles

Angles 30°, 45°, 60° with unique trigonometric values

Trigonometric Identities

Equations relating trigonometric functions

Sine Law

Relates side lengths to sine of opposite angles

Cosine Law

Relates side lengths to cosine of included angles

Angle of Elevation

Angle from horizontal to line of sight below

Hydrosphere

Bodies of water in solid, liquid, and gas states (e.g., ocean, snow, cloud)

Water Cycle

Process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation

Minerals

Naturally occurring, inorganic, homogenous solids with ordered atomic arrangement

Physical Properties of Minerals

Characteristics like color, streak, luster, cleavage, fracture, specific gravity, and hardness

Rocks

Solid material made up of minerals; classified as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic

Rock Formation Cycle

Process of rock formation including cooling, solidification, lithification, and recrystallization

Igneous Rocks

Formed by cooling and solidification of magma; examples include granite and basalt

Sedimentary Rocks

Formed by lithification of sediments; examples include conglomerate, sandstone, and shale

Metamorphic Rocks

Formed by recrystallization of existing rocks under heat and pressure; examples include quartzite and marble

Continental Drift Theory

Proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912, suggesting Pangaea's breakup into Laurasia and Gondwanaland

Seafloor Spreading Theory

Proposed by Harry Hess in 1962, explaining the continuous formation of new oceanic crust

Plate Tectonic Theory

Explains the movement of Earth's lithosphere plates, including Pangaea's breakup and current plate positions

Plate Boundaries

Locations where tectonic plates interact, including divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries

Earthquakes

Surface adjustments caused by faulting, volcanic eruptions, or other factors; measured by Richter and Mercalli scales

Permian

Period marked by a great mass extinction event.

Carboniferous

Geological period known as the Age of Insects.

Devonian

Geological period known as the Age of Fishes.

Ordovician

Period when corals became abundant, and Crinoids, Echinoids, and Starfish established.

Cambrian

Geological period known for an explosion of life forms.

Pre-Cambrian

Era marked by the emergence of cyanobacteria before 570 million years ago.

Eon

Longest division of geological time, followed by Era, Period, and Epoch.

Star Formation

Stars form from spinning dust and gas clouds, emitting light via nuclear fusion.

Sun

A star primarily composed of helium and hydrogen undergoing nuclear fusion.

Moon

Natural satellite that reflects light, producing lunar phases.

Terrestrial Planets

Inner planets like Earth and Mars, with solid surfaces.

Jovian Planets

Outer gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn with thick atmospheres.

Asteroid Belt

Region between Mars and Jupiter containing rocks and metals.

Meteor

Bright light seen when a meteorite enters Earth's atmosphere.

Solar Eclipse

When the Moon blocks the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth.

Lunar Eclipse

When the Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, darkening it partially or completely.

Longitude

Imaginary lines from North to South Poles, measured in degrees east or west.

Earth's Layers

Earth's structure: Crust, Upper Mantle, Lower Mantle, Core.

Big Bang Theory

Theory explaining the origin of the universe from a dense point.

Meteorology

Study of the atmosphere, weather, and climate of Earth.

Weather

Daily atmospheric conditions of a specific location.

Climate

Long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation in an area.

Clouds

Condensed water vapor or ice crystals settling on dust particles in the atmosphere.

Cirrus Clouds

High clouds made of ice crystals, indicating fair weather

Cumulus Clouds

Puffy clouds prone to icing in freezing conditions

Stratus Clouds

Low-lying clouds in blanket-like layers

Nimbus Clouds

Clouds causing rain, with nimbo or nimbus added to the word

Atmosphere

Gaseous envelope surrounding the earth

Tropical Cyclones

Intense low-pressure system over tropical regions

Typhoon

Intense tropical cyclone measured by wind speed

Tropical Depression

Junior typhoon with windspeed less than 63kph

Tropical Storm

Cyclone with sustained windspeed at 63-117 kph

Super Typhoon

Extremely intense typhoon with windspeed greater than 242 kph

Thunderstorms

Weather disturbances with thunder and lightning

Monsoons

Seasonal wind patterns bringing heavy rain

Land Breeze and Sea Breeze

Differential heating between land and water causing breezes

Earth's Seasons

Result of earth's tilt around the sun, causing solstices and equinoxes

Conduction

Heat transfer through direct contact of matter particles

Convection

Heat transfer between a surface and moving liquid or gas

Radiation

Heat transfer through empty space without a medium

Scientific Method

Systematic approach to scientific inquiry involving observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and theory

Dependent Variable

Tested result affected by changes in independent variables

Independent Variable

Variable adjusted in experiments affecting the dependent variable

Natural Law

Describes how nature behaves in a consistent manner

Theory

Explanation of natural phenomena based on laws, subject to discussion

Ecology

Study of interrelationships among organisms and with the environment

Biosystematics

Focuses on taxonomy and evolution of diverse life forms

Physiology

Investigates functions and processes of life

Genetics

Study of heredity and behavior of inherited traits

Bacteriology

Study of bacteria

Phycology

Study of algae

Mycology

Study of fungi

Molecules

Chemical structures made of atoms

Organelles

Membrane-enclosed structures in eukaryotic cells

Tissues

Groups of cells with similar functions

Organs

Structurally joined tissues performing specialized tasks

Organ Systems

Groups of organs contributing to major functions

Organism

Individual living entity

Population

Local group of interbreeding individuals of the same species

Community

Organisms of different species in a specific area

Ecosystem

All living and non-living components in an area

Biosphere

Totality of all life-inhabited environments on earth

Order

Structural organization in living things

Evolutionary adaptation

Traits evolving over generations for environmental fit

Response to the environment

Reactions to stimuli in the surroundings

Regulation

Necessary control of bodily processes for homeostasis

Energy processing

Utilization of chemical energy for survival

Reproduction

Production of offspring

Growth and development

Progression in size and change over time

OMG I Really Hate Exams

Acronym for key life manifestations: Organization, Metabolism, Growth, Irritability, Reproduction, Homeostasis, Evolution

Cell

Basic unit of life, present in all living organisms

Robert Hooke

Coined the term 'cell', pioneer in cytology

Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek

Discovered bacteria and microscopic organisms