Key Science-Related Terms + Branches of Studies
Empirical | conclusions backed with observation and evidence rather than just guesses based on your own belief |
Fauna | The animals that are native to the region |
Flora | The plants that are native to the region |
Isotope | the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons resulting in a different atomic mass |
Indigenous | Native/local things that originated from a place or people who had lived on the land before the colonists |
Inhibit | To hinder, restrain, or prevent an action, process, or function |
Metabolism | the chemical reactions in the body's cells that change food into energy |
Microbial | means relating to microorganisms |
Predisposed | because of something you are more likely to do something or gain something |
Saturate | Something is so soaked that it can’t absorb any more |
Simulation | imitating a process or situation |
Stimulation | The effect or response caused by the stimulus |
Stimulus (pl., Stimuli) | The cause -- something that triggers or influences a reaction or behavior |
Symbiosis (adj., Symbiotic) | A close, long-term interaction that can be neutral, harmful, or beneficial between two different organisms that live together |
Taxonomy | the science of naming, describing, and classifying organisms |
Vegetation | Plants that are native to a specific area (not region) |
Vocab | Definition |
Botany | Study of Plants |
Ecology | Studies the relationships between living organisms and their environment |
Entomology | Study of insects |
Epidemiology | study of how diseases and health conditions spread, occur, and affect populations |
Geology | Study of Earth’s structure— rocks, volcanos, crust, etc |
Ornithology | Study of birds |
Paleontology | Study of fossils |
Zoology | study of animals |
Vocab | Definition |
Anthropology | Study of human beings — behavior, societies, cultures |
Archaeology | study of human history and prehistory |
Ethnography | a method of studying people by living with them and observing their daily lives to understand their culture and behaviors. |
Folklore | traditional beliefs, customs, stories, songs, and practices passed down orally |
Sociology | study of society and social behavior |