"This glossary includes terms used in this Integrated Resource Package, defined specifically in relation to how they pertain to Science 8 to 10 topics. It is provided for clarity only, and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of terminology related to Science 8 to 10 topics."
photo: mconnors@morguefile
A
abiotic
The non-living parts of the environment such as water, air, rocks.
acid
A compound containing hydrogen, which when it reacts with a compound containing a
hydroxide ion, produces a salt and water.
adaptive radiation
The process by which members of a species adapt to a variety of habitats.
Alpha radiation
A type of radiation resulting from the emission of helium nuclei from the nuclei of atoms.
alkali metal
A chemical family of very reactive metals sharing similar chemical properties, containing
the elements: lithium, sodium, rubidium, cesium, and francium.
alkaline earth metal
A chemical family of reactive metals sharing similar chemical properties, containing the
elements: beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium.
amplitude
The height of a wave crest or depth of a wave trough, measured from its middle, or
equilibrium point.
angle of incidence
The angle of a ray of light approaching the boundary between two materials (such as from
air into glass), measured between the incident ray and the normal.
angle of refraction
The angle of a ray of light emerging from the boundary between two materials (such as
from air into glass), measured between the refracted ray and the normal.
antibody
A protein produced by B lymphocytes that complexes with invading antigens.
antigen
A foreign material that enters an organism.
arête
A sharp crested ridge that separates opposing alpine glaciers.
asexual reproduction
A form of reproduction in which only one parent is involved, and in which all the
offspring are identical to each other and to the parent.
atom
The smallest particle of an element that can exist by itself.
atomic mass
The total mass of the protons, neutrons and electrons that make up an atom.
atomic number
The number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom.
B
bacteria
Small (1 – 100 μm) prokaryotic cells.
base
A compound containing hydroxide, which when it reacts with an ionic compound
containing a positive hydrogen ion, produces a salt and water.
Beta particle
A high speed electron that is emitted by a radioactive nucleus in beta decay.
binary fission
A method of asexual reproduction in which the cell or organism splits into two equal
parts.
bioaccumulation
The accumulation of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in various tissues of a living
organism.
biodegradation
The process by which a product can be broken down naturally, by biological agents,
especially bacteria.
biome
A large area of the Earth that has characteristic climate, plants, animals and soil (e.g.,
Desert).
biotic
All of the organisms in the environment.
Bohr diagram
A diagram that shows the arrangement of an element’s subatomic particles.
Bohr Model
The current model of the atom, which describes the arrangement of the element’s
subatomic particles: neutrons and electrons in the nucleus, and electrons in electron shells.
boiling point
The temperature at which a liquid undergoes a phase change to become a gas.
bromothymol blue
A type of acid-base indicator that turns yellow when added to an acid.
budding
A method of asexual reproduction in which the offspring develops as a bud on the parent,
until it drops off and becomes an independent organism.
C
cancer
A disease in which uncontrolled cell division results in the growth of malignant tumours
in the body.
catalyst
A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being changed itself.
cell wall
A structure in plant cells (and some other types of cells) made of cellulose and other
materials, which provides support for the plant cell.
centriole
An organelle found in pairs in animal cells, which organizes the spindle for chromosome
division.
chloroplast
An organelle in plant cells that converts carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and
glucose.
circulatory system
The system that distributes nutrients and oxygen to the cells as well as removing wastes
and carbon dioxide from the cells.
climate
Weather conditions in an area, including rainfall and temperature.
climax community
The final stage of succession, where a stable group of two or more species is able to
survive and reproduce indefinitely in the same habitat.
combustion
A type of chemical reaction in which oxygen is one of the reactants, and where heat is
produced.
commensalism
A type of symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is
unaffected.
compound
A pure substance that is made up of two or more elements that have been chemically
combined.
compression
The decrease in size (volume) of an object, caused by an increased external pressure acting
on the object.
concentration
The amount of solute present in a specific volume of solution.
condensation
The change of state of a substance from gas form to liquid form, such as from steam to
water.
conductivity
The ability or power of a substance to conduct or transmit heat or electricity.
Conservation of mass
A scientific law that states that in a chemical reaction, the total mass of the reactants
always equals the total mass of the products.
continental drift theory
Theory put forth by A. Wegener in the early 20th century that proposed that continents
moved around on the Earth’s surface and were at one time joined together.
continental shelf
A shallow, undersea plain stretching off the coast of a continent.
convection
A type of heat transfer in fluids (liquid or gas) where hot, less dense fluid rises and cold,
denser fluid sinks. This causes heat to be distributed evenly throughout the fluid.
converging
A description of light rays coming to a focal point after reflecting off a converging mirror
or refracting through a converging lens.
covalent bonding
The formation of a chemical bond through the sharing of one or more pairs of electrons.
covalent compound
A compound that is formed when non-metallic atoms share electrons to form a covalent bond.
crest
The highest point in a wave amplitude as measured from its middle or equilibrium point.
cytoplasm
The aqueous material and suspended organelles between the nucleus and cell membrane.
D
decomposer
An organism that feeds on waste and dead organisms.
decomposition
A type of chemical reaction in which a compound is broken down into two or more
elements or simpler compounds.
density
The amount of mass contained in a given volume, usually measured in kg/cm3.
deposition
Phase change of a gas to a solid.
digestive system
The system that allows organisms to take in, break down and absorb nutrients.
diverging
A description of light rays spreading apart after reflecting off a diverging mirror or
refracting through a diverging lens.
DNA
The genetic material of the cell, that is composed of four different types of nucleotides
arranged in a chain.
double replacement
A type of chemical reaction during which elements in different compounds exchange
places (e.g., AB + CD# AD + CB).
drumlin
An elongated (oval) hill formed by glacial movement.
E
ecological succession
The process of gradual change that occurs when organisms colonize a habitat, modify it,
and are forced out by a new species better adapted to the now altered environment.
ecosystem
A network of interactions linking the biotic and abiotic things. electromagnetic radiation
The total range or spectrum of energy in the form of waves that extend from the longest
radio waves to the shortest gamma and cosmic rays.
embryonic development
The stages through which the developing offspring progresses from fertilization until
about 8 to 10 weeks.
energy
The capacity for applying a force to effect motion. It is often thought of as the amount of
movement or potential movement, usually measured in joules (J).
erosion
The movement of weathered materials.
erratic
Large rocks carried to a new location by a glacier and left behind after the glacier melts.
The erratic differs from the rock types surrounding it.
eukaryotic cell
A cell with a nucleus and membrane bound organelles.
excretory system
The system that allows organisms to remove wastes.
expansion
The increase in size of an object, caused by a decreased external pressure acting on the
object.
evaporation
The change of state of a substance from liquid form to gas form.
F
fertilization
The process in which a male and female gamete fuse to form a zygote.
fission
The process by which a large nucleus splits into two pieces of roughly equal mass,
accompanied by the release of large amounts of energy.
food chain
A series of organisms, each of which relies for its food on the organism before it in the
chain.(e.g., Sun#grass# rabbit#fox).
food pyramid
A diagram used to illustrate relationships between an organism’s population size and its
place in a food chain.
food web
Food chains linked together within a particular ecosystem.
fragmentation
A type of asexual reproduction in which a large or small fragment of an organism can
break off and develop into a new organism.
freezing point
The characteristic temperature at which a liquid solidifies.
focal point
The point at which converging light rays meet or from which light rays diverge.
force
A push or pull acting on an object, usually measured in newtons (N). For example, a
magnet applies a pulling force on a piece of iron.
frequency
The number of repetitive motions, or oscillations, that occur in a given time, usually
measured in cycles/second or hertz (Hz).
friction
A type of force that acts to oppose the motion of one object in contact with and relative to
another object.
fusion
The joining of two small atomic nuclei to make a larger one. It is usually involves the
release of a large amount of energy.
G
gamete
A reproductive cell of a sexually reproducing organism. Produced through the process of
meiosis, the cell contains only half the number of chromosomes.
Gamma rays
The highest energy or frequency and shortest wavelength portion of the electromagnetic
spectrum.
Gamma radiation
Electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nuclei of atoms.
gastric juice
A fluid with a pH of 2-3 produced by the walls of the stomach.
gas exchange
Carbon dioxide enters the blood and oxygen leaves the blood at the body cells. The
process is reversed in the lungs.
gene
A segment of chromosome, which codes for a specific protein.
genetic engineering
The alteration of the genetic material of an organism through the addition or substitution
of certain genes.
glaciation
The condition or result of being covered with a thick sheet of ice.
gravitation
A type of pulling force that acts between two or more objects, such as the earth and a
baseball.
H
half-life
The amount of time required for half the nuclei in a sample of a radioactive isotope to
decay.
halogen
A family of reactive non-metals sharing similar chemical properties, that contains the
elements fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine.
heavy metals
Metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium which have no known vital or beneficial effect
on organisms, and their accumulation over time in the bodies of mammals can cause
serious illness.
horn
A sharp peak formed by the movement of two or more opposing glaciers.
hot spot
Location of excess radioactivity, causing magma to rise from the mantle through the
lithosphere to the surface.
hydraulic
A term that describes a device that is operated by the action of water or other liquid.
I
infrared
A type of electromagnetic radiation that, relative to light, has a longer wavelength and
lower energy/frequency. It is also referred to as heat radiation.
immune system
The system that allows organisms to defend against disease.
inorganic
The chemistry of compounds that do not contain carbon.
ionic bonding
The bond that forms as a result of the attraction between positively and negatively
charged ions.
ionic compound
A compound that forms as a result of positive and negative ions being held together by an
ionic bond.
ion
An atom or group of atoms that is positively r negatively charged as a result of either
gaining or losing one or more electrons.
isotopes
Atomic nuclei having the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
K
keystone species
A particular type of organism that exerts great influence on an ecosystem relative to its
abundance.
L
laws of electrical charge
Opposite charges attract each other, similar charges repel each other, charged objects attract neutral objects.
lens
A curved piece of transparent material that refracts light in such a way as to converge or
diverge parallel light rays.
Lewis diagram
A representation of the element’s atom showing only the outer valence electrons.
light
The form of energy that can be detected by the eye.
litmus paper
A type of acid-base indicator that turns one colour when added to a base, and a different
colour in an acid.
M
magnetic
A type of force that acts on the elements iron, nickel or cobalt.
mantle convection
Thermal energy transfer in the mantle where hot, light magma rises and cold, dense
lithospheric plate material sinks.
mass
The amount of matter that makes up an object, usually measured in kilograms (kg).
mass number
The total number of protons and neutrons found in the nucleus of an atom.
melting
The change of state of a substance from solid form to liquid form.
melting point
The temperature at which a substance changes from a sold to liquid state.
metabolism
The chemical reactions that take place in a living organism to provide energy, utilize
materials and carry out vital processes.
mid-ocean ridge
Undersea mountain range that marks a divergent plate boundary; also called a spreading
ridge.
mitochondrion
An organelle in eukaryotic cells that converts oxygen and glucose into cellular energy
(ATP) carbon dioxide and water.
mirror
A device or surface that reflects light.
microwave
A type of electromagnetic radiation that has a longer wavelength and lower
energy/frequency than infrared radiation.
molecule
A particle that consists of two or more atoms that are joined together.
multiple ion charge
Some metallic elements can form two different ionic charges depending on what type of
chemical reaction they undergo (e.g., Fe+2 or Fe+3).
mutation
A change in the genetic material of the cell, which may have either a beneficial, harmful or
neutral affect on the organism.
mutualism
A type of symbiotic relationship in which organisms interact for mutual benefit.
moraine
Material carried in, on, or under a glacier, which is deposited at the edges or end at the
glacial flow.
N
natural selection
The process, proposed by Darwin, where the environment acts to select fit individuals.
nervous system
The system that allows the various parts of an organism communicate and work in
concert.
neutralization
A chemical reaction in which an acid and a base combine to produce a salt and water.
noble gases
A family of non reactive element sharing similar chemical properties, that contains the
elements: helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, radon.
normal
An imaginary line that is perpendicular to the boundary between two materials (such as
air and glass) and intersects the point at which the incident ray reaches the boundary.
nucleus
A membrane-bound structure in eukaryotic cells that contains the genetic material and
regulates the cell’s activities (i.e., growth and metabolism). The nucleus is also the control
centre that contains the cell’s genetic material, which directs the production of proteins.
nutrient
A material that organisms need to live and grow.
O
ocean current
A large stream of moving water produced by gravity, wind friction, and water density.
opaque
A description of a material’s ability to prevent any light from passing through it.
organ
A group of tissues that perform a function.
organ system
A group of organs and tissues that perform a function to keep an organism alive.
organelles
A part of a eukaryotic cell that performs an essential life function.
organic
The chemistry of compounds that contain carbon.
organism
A living being that could be single-celled or multi-celled.
osmosis
The movement of water from a region of low solute concentration to a region of high
solute concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.
P
paleoglaciation
A term describing past periods of extensive glaciation that covered most of the continents.
parasitism
A type of symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is harmed.
pathogen
A bacteria, toxin, or other harmful material that can cause damage to an organism.
PCBs
Any of several compounds that are produced by replacing hydrogen atoms in biphenyl
with chlorine, and are poisonous environmental pollutants which tend to accumulate in
animal tissues.
pesticide
A substance used to control populations of plant or animal pests.
pH
A symbol denoting the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution.
phagocytic white blood cells
Specialized white blood cells that act to remove foreign substances within the body (e.g.,
bacteria, dead tissue cells, and small mineral particles) and thus fight infection. They are
called phagocytic because they engulf and absorb the foreign substance.
phenolphthalein
A type of acid-base indicator that turns pink when added to a base.
planet
A planet is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its
self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium
(nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit. The eight
planets in our solar system are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and
Neptune.
plate boundary
Location where two plates meet and move relative to each other.
plate tectonic theory
Theory explaining that the Earth’s surface is made up of several lithospheric plates that
move around relative to one another, sliding over the semi-fluid asthenosphere.
pneumatic
A term that describes a device that is operated by air or other gas.
polyatomic ion
A group of atoms that collectively carry a charge.
potassium
An element that is considered an nutrient, and needed to live and grow.
predation
A situation wherein one organism [the predator] kills and consumes another organism
[the prey].
pressure
The amount of force acting over a given area on an object, usually measured in Newtons/cm2.
proliferation
To grow or multiply by rapidly producing new tissues, cells, or offspring.
prokaryotic cell
A cell with no nucleus and membrane bound organelles, but with a nucleoid region and
molecules that perform the functions of the organelles of eukaryotic cells.
R
radioactive decay
The process in which the nuclei of radioactive parent isotopes emit alpha, beta, or gamma
radiation to form decay products.
radio waves
A type of electromagnetic radiation that has the longest wavelength and lowest
energy/frequency compared to all other types.
reproductive system
The systems that allow organisms to produce offspring.
refraction
The bending or changing direction of a wave or light ray as it passes from one material
into another.
ribosome
An organelle in eukaryotic cells that converts oxygen and glucose into cellular energy
(ATP) carbon dioxide and water.
respiratory system
The system responsible for acquiring oxygen and removing carbon dioxide from the
body.
ridge push and slab pull
A process that facilitates plate movement whereby dense, subducting plate material pulls
the rest of the attached plate toward the subduction zone and down into the mantle, while
the weight of the ridge being formed along a spreading mid-ocean ridge pushes the rest of
(the same) tectonic plate away from the ridge, often towards a subduction zone
S
salinity
The amount of salt in ocean water expressed in parts per thousand
salt
A compound formed by the reaction of an acid and a base.
selectively permeable membrane
The type of membrane that surrounds cells. It controls what enters and leaves the cell.
sexual reproduction
The type of reproduction that requires the involvement of two parents, each of whom
contributes a gamete. The fusion of the two gametes produces the zygote, the first cell of
an offspring.
single replacement
A type of chemical reaction in which one element replaces another in a compound.
solidification
The change of state of a substance from liquid form to solid form, such as from water to
ice.
spectrum
A range of frequencies for a given type of radiation. For example, the visible spectrum
contains a range of several colours or frequencies of white light.
spreading ridge
Undersea mountain range that marks a divergent plate boundary; also called a mid-ocean ridge.
stem cells
The self –regenerating cells found in the marrow of the long bones that give rise by
differentiation and cell division to different types of cells.
striations
Parallel grooves in rocks or bedrock formed by glaciers scraping rocks over other rocks.
subatomic particle
A particle that is smaller than an atom. It is a term that usually refers to the proton,
neutron, and electron that make up the atom.
subduction zone
Zone representing a convergent plate boundary, where one plate subducts beneath and is
destroyed by the other overriding plate
sublimation
The change of state of a substance from solid form to gas form or vice versa.
surface area
The extent of a two dimensional surface enclosed within a boundary.
symbiosis
A relationship in which two different organisms live in a close association.
synthesis
A type of chemical reaction in which two or more elements or compounds combine to
form a single compound.
T
tectonic processes
The convergence, divergence and transform movement of the Earth’s lithospheric plates.
tertiary defence system
A component of the immune system that involves the creation of antibodies – proteins
created by specialized white blood cells in response to foreign substances (antigens). By
combining with the foreign substance (antigen), the antibodies may themselves neutralize
it or alternatively flag it to bring it to the attention of other white blood cells that will
attack and destroy it.
tissue
A group of structurally similar cells that perform a common function.
transform fault
A type of plate boundary where two plates slide past each other horizontally in opposite
directions relative to each other.
translucent
A description of a material’s ability to partially allow light to pass through it in such a
way that it becomes diffused. Such materials do not allow objects to be seen distinctly.
transparent
A description of a material’s ability to allow light to pass through it freely. Objects can be
clearly seen through such materials.
trench
A long narrow depression in the ocean floor that marks a convergent plate boundary and
is part of a subduction zone.
trophic level
The number of energy transfers an organism is from the original solar energy entering the food chain.
trough
The lowest point in a wave amplitude as measured from its middle or equilibrium point.
turbidity
Cloudiness in water caused by suspended materials.
U
ultraviolet
A type of electromagnetic radiation that, relative to light, has a shorter wavelength and
higher energy/frequency.
V
vacuole
A membrane bound sac that holds fluids or other materials
vegetative reproduction
A method of asexual reproduction in plants, in which an offspring develops from a part of
the plant other than the flower.
virus
A small (10 – 100nm) non-cellular particle that reproduces inside of other cells
viscosity
A description of a fluid’s resistance to flow. For example, corn syrup has a higher
viscosity than water.
visible light
A type of electromagnetic radiation that, relative to other forms, has an average
wavelength and energy/frequency. It is composed of the following component colours:
red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet.
volume
the amount of space taken up by an object, usually measured in liters or cubic centimeters
(cm3).
W
wave
A transfer of energy as a disturbance from one point in a material to another without
causing any permanent displacement of the material.
wavelength
The distance between successive crests or troughs in a series of waves.
weathering
The breaking down of rock by physical, chemical or biological means.
weight
The amount of pulling force that gravity from earth or another celestial body exerts on an
object.
white blood cell
Cells produced by red bone marrow and found in the blood or lymph. These cells fight
pathogens in several different ways.
wind action
The processes or results of wind.
X
X-rays
A type of electromagnetic radiation that has a shorter wavelength and higher
energy/frequency than ultraviolet.
Z
zygote
The cell formed by the fusion of a male and female gamete, until it divides.
