• Simple machine – One of six types of basic

Physics Terms Covering Energy devices to perform work.

• Vector – Measurement of medium and
• Electrical energy – Energy that comes from direction of movement of magnitude.
electrical charge. • Speed – How fast something is moving; scalar
• Electromagnetic energy – Electrical and quantity of magnitude of velocity vector.
magnetic wave energy reflected and emitted • Velocity – Rate and direction of motion
from objects traveling through space. measurement.
• Gravitational energy – Potential energy of an • Weight – Measurement of mass of an object.
object in a higher position relative to the • Work – Energy transfer measurement when an
ground. object moves.
• Joule – Unit used to measure electrical energy.
• Kinetic energy – Energy in an object in motion. "Cool" Physics Terms
• Mechanical energy – Energy in an object due
to its motion or position.
• Absolute zero – Theoretical lowest
• Potential energy – Energy stored in an object.
temperature.
• Scalar – Measurement of magnitude.
• Alpha particle – Helium nucleus radioactive
• Strong nuclear potential energy – Strong substances emit.
energy of particles within the atom.
• Acoustics – Study of sound waves.
• Thermal energy – Energy that heat generates.
• Amplitude – Wave height from the center of
• Weak nuclear potential energy – Weak the wave.
energy of particles within the atom.
• Big Bang – Theoretical explanation for the
beginning of the universe.
Physics Terms About Motion • Black hole – Region of space that doesn’t
allow anything, including light, to escape due
• Acceleration – How change in velocity is to powerful gravity.
measured. • Cosmic rays – Particle traveling through space
• Collision – When two objects collide. with a highly energetic atomic nucleus.
• Displacement – The change in an object’s • Dark energy – Gravity-countering theoretical
position. repulsive force which causes the universe to
• Force – The push or pull measurement of an expand quickly.
object. • Entropy – Measurement describing the
• Friction – Motion resistance from objects randomness of a system.
rubbing against each other. • Fundamental forces – Four fundamental
• Gravity – Attraction force between objects, forces that act between objects.
bodies, and masses in the universe. • Galaxy – Planets, stars, and other celestial
• Inertia – A body's tendency to resist motion. bodies held together by one gravitational
force.
• Impulse – Change in momentum.
• Power – Rate or measurement at which work
• Nuclear fission – When an atom is split by
impact with another particle or
is done.
spontaneously.
• Pressure – Force pushing on an object.
• Principle of relativity – Requires all physics
• Momentum – How mass in motion is
equations to be in the same form.
measured.
• Quantum – The minimum energy needed for
• Newton – How force is measured (named any object to be attracted to each other.
after Isaac Newton).
• Radioactivity – When an object emits ionizing
• Newton’s First Law of Motion – Objects stay radiation.
at rest or in motion unless acted upon by a
• Supernova – An extremely bright star because
force.
of a catastrophic explosion.
• Newton’s Second Law of Motion – The mass
is proportional to the force it takes to
accelerate it. CHEMISTRY
• Newton’s Third Law of Motion – Every action
has an equal and opposite reaction.
Matter and Its Properties Classification of Elements

• Matter – Anything that has mass and takes up • Metal – An element that is solid at room
space (e.g., books, food, air). temperature (except mercury), shiny, and
• Physical Properties – Characteristics that conducts electricity and heat well.
describe matter as it exists, such as shape, • Nonmetal – An element that exists in various
color, size, and temperature. phases at room temperature, is brittle in solid
• Phase (or State) – A physical property form, and does not conduct electricity or heat
describing the form of matter. The three well.
fundamental phases are solid, liquid, and • Semi-metals (Metalloids) – Elements that
gas. have properties of both metals and
• Chemical Properties – Characteristics that nonmetals.
describe how matter changes form in the
presence of other matter (e.g., burning or BIOLOGY
reacting with water).
A
Changes in Matter
1. Abdomen – The region of the body between
the thorax and the pelvis.
• Physical Change – A process that occurs
2. Abiogenesis – A hypothesis that living things
when a sample of matter changes one or more
arose from nonliving matter.
of its physical properties (like melting ice)
3. Absorption – A process in which one
without affecting its chemical composition.
substance permeates another.
• Chemical Change – The process of
4. Acclimatization – Adaptation of an organism
demonstrating a chemical property, which
to a new climate or environment.
results in a change in the matter's chemical
5. Activation Energy – The energy that an atomic
composition (e.g., a burning match).
system must acquire before a process (like a
reaction) can occur.
Classification of Matter 6. Active Transport – Moving a substance across
a cell membrane against the concentration
• Substance – Matter that has the same gradient, requiring energy.
physical and chemical properties throughout. 7. Adaptation – A feature or behavior that helps
an organism survive in its environment.
• Element – A substance that cannot be broken
8. Algae – Simple green organisms that make
down into simpler chemical substances by
food through photosynthesis.
ordinary chemical means. There are about 115
9. Allele – Any of the forms of a gene that can
known elements.
occupy the same locus on a chromosome.
• Compound – A combination of more than one 10. Alternation of Generations – The cycle of two
element that behaves as a completely or more different forms in the life of a plant or
different substance with its own unique animal.
properties. 11. Amino Acid – The fundamental molecule that
• Mixture – Physical combinations of more than serves as the building block for proteins.
one substance. 12. Anabolism – The synthesis of complex
o Heterogeneous Mixture – A mixture substances from simpler ones, storing energy.
composed of two or more 13. Antibiotic – A substance used to kill
substances that are easy to microorganisms and cure infections.
distinguish (e.g., salt mixed with 14. Antigen – Any substance that stimulates an
steel wool). immune response in the body.
o Homogeneous Mixture (Solution) – 15. Appendicular Skeleton – Part of the skeleton
A combination of two or more including the limbs and girdles.
substances so intimately mixed that 16. Archaea – One of the three domains of life,
they behave as a single substance consisting of single-celled prokaryotes.
(e.g., salt dissolved in water). 17. Asexual Reproduction – Reproduction
without the fusion of gametes.
18. Atrium – A chamber of the heart connected to
other chambers or passageways.
 19. Axial Skeleton – Part of the skeleton including 44. Consumer – A living thing that eats other
the skull, spinal column, sternum, and ribs. organisms for food.
45. Cytoplasm – The jelly-like material inside a
B cell excluding the nucleus.

D–G
20. Bacteria – Microscopic single-celled
organisms without a nucleus.
21. Bilateral Symmetry – The property of being 46. Decomposer – Organisms that break down
symmetrical about a vertical plane. dead plants and animals (e.g., fungi).
22. Bile – A digestive juice secreted by the liver. 47. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) – The molecule
23. Bioavailability – How quickly and to what that carries genetic information.
extent a drug is absorbed by the body. 48. Ecosystem – A community of living things and
24. Biochemistry – The scientific study of the their physical environment.
chemistry of living cells and organisms. 49. Element – A substance that cannot be broken
25. Biodegradable – Capable of being broken down into simpler chemical substances.
down by microorganisms. 50. Evolution – The gradual change in living things
26. Biodiversity – The variety of living organisms over time.
in a particular environment. 51. Fungi – Organisms like mushrooms and molds
27. Biology – The study of living things. that feed on dead matter.
28. Biomass – The total mass of living material in 52. Gamete – A reproductive cell (sperm or egg).
a given unit area. 53. Gene – A section of DNA that controls a
29. Biome – A major ecological community with a specific characteristic.
distinct climate and flora. 54. Genetic Engineering – The process of altering
30. Biosynthesis – The production of chemical an organism's DNA.
compounds by a living organism. 55. Genetics – The study of heredity and variation.
31. Biotechnology – The use of living organisms to 56. Genotype – The genetic makeup of an
develop useful products. individual organism.
32. Biotic – Relating to the living components of 57. Glycogen – The stored form of glucose in
an ecosystem. animals.
33. Bivalve – A sea creature with two connected
hinged shells. H–M
34. Bone Marrow – Fatty network of connective
tissue filling the cavities of bones.
35. Botany – The branch of biology that studies 58. Habitat – The natural home or environment of
plants. an organism.
59. Herbivore – An animal that eats plants only.
60. Homeostasis – Maintaining a stable internal
C
environment.
61. Immunity – The ability of an organism to resist
36. Carnivore – An animal that eats other infection.
animals. 62. Infection – Invasion of the body by harmful
37. Catabolism – The breakdown of complex microorganisms.
substances into simpler ones, releasing 63. Insulin – A hormone that controls blood sugar
energy. levels.
38. Cell – The smallest structural and functional 64. Interdependence – The reliance of organisms
unit of life. on one another for survival.
39. Cell Membrane – The outer layer that controls 65. Kingdoms – The major groups into which living
what enters and leaves the cell. things are classified.
40. Centriole – Small cylindrical organelle near 66. Krebs Cycle – Series of reactions in
the nucleus, active in cell division. mitochondria to produce energy.
41. Chloroplast – Organelle in plant cells where 67. Metabolism – All the chemical reactions that
photosynthesis occurs. occur in a living organism.
42. Chromosome – A structure in the nucleus 68. Microtubule – Microscopically small tubule
made of DNA and proteins. acting as structural support for a cell.
43. Clone – A group of organisms with the same 69. Mitochondria – The "powerhouse" of the cell
genetic constitution descended from a where energy is produced.
common ancestor. 70. Mutation – A change or alteration in the DNA
sequence.
N–P 98. Transpiration – The process of water
movement through a plant and its evaporation
from leaves.
71. Natural Selection – Process where best-
99. Zygote – The cell formed by the union of two
adapted organisms survive and reproduce.
gametes.
72. Neuron – A nerve cell that transmits electrical
100. Zoology – The branch of biology that studies
impulses.
animals.
73. Niche – The specific role an organism plays in
its ecosystem.
74. Nucleus – The organelle containing genetic BRANCHES OF SCIENCE
material; the cell's control center.
75. Nutrient – A substance required for growth,
repair, and energy.
76. Organ – A group of tissues working together to
perform a function.
77. Organ System – A group of organs that work
together (e.g., digestive system).
78. Organism – Any individual living being.
79. Osmosis – Diffusion of water through a semi-
permeable membrane.
80. Ovary – Female reproductive organ in animals
and plants.
81. Oxidation – A chemical reaction involving the
loss of electrons or addition of oxygen.
82. Parasite – An organism that lives on or in a
host and causes it harm.
83. Pathogen – A microorganism that causes
disease.
84. Pedigree – A family tree showing the
inheritance of traits.
85. Phenotype – The observable physical
characteristics of an organism.
86. Phloem – Plant tissue that conducts food from
leaves to the rest of the plant.
87. Phospholipid – A lipid containing a phosphate
group, a major part of cell membranes.
88. Photosynthesis – Process by which plants
make food using sunlight.
89. Phylum – A major group in biological
classification below Kingdom.
90. Placenta – An organ in mammals that
provides nourishment to the fetus.
91. Plasma – The liquid part of blood.
92. Pollination – The transfer of pollen to enable
fertilization.
93. Producer – An organism that makes its own
food (e.g., plants).
94. Protein – Large molecules made of amino
acids essential for body functions.

R–Z

95. Respiration – The process of breaking down

food to release energy.
96. Species – A group of similar organisms that
can reproduce with each other.
97. Tissue – A group of similar cells working
together for a specific purpose.