| A | B |
|---|
| mutation | A process that changes DNA to form new alleles. |
| DNA | Deoxyribonucleic acid: The main component of chromosomes and is the material that transfers genetic characteristics in all life forms. |
| mitosis | The process in cell division by which the nucleus divides, resulting in two new nuclei containing a complete copy of the parental chromosomes. |
| meiosis | The process of nuclear division in a living cell by which the number of chromosomes is reduced to half the original number. This occurs in gamete (egg or sperm) cells. |
| chromosome | The threadlike carriers of hereditary characteristics, found in the nucleus. |
| gene | A part of the DNA code on a chromosome. |
| genetics | The study of heredity. |
| allele | Different forms of a gene. |
| heredity | The passing of genetic characters from parents to offspring. |
| trait | A characteristic that an organism can pass on to its offspring through its genes. |
| dominant | One of a pair of alternative alleles that masks the effect of the other when both are present in the same cell or organism. |
| recessive | One of a pair of alternative alleles whose effect is masked by the activity of the second when both are present in the same cell or organism. |
| Punnett Square | A grid that can indicate all the possible outcomes of a genetic cross. |
| purebred | An organism that always produces offspring with the same form of a trait as a parent. |
| hybrid | An organism that has two different alleles for a trait. |
| heterozygous | Having two different alleles for a trait. |
| homozygous | Having two identical alleles for a trait. |
| genotype | An organism's genetic makeup, or allele combination. |
| phenotype | An organism's physical appearance, or visible traits. |
| codominance | A condition in which neither of the two alleles of a gene is dominant or recessive. |
| fulcrum | The point about which a lever pivots. |
| lever | Any rigid rod or plank that pivots, or rotates about a point. |
| inclined plane | A flat, sloped surface. |
| wedge | An inclined plane that moves. |
| screw | An inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder or post. |
| wheel & axle | A simple machine that consists of two circular objects of different sizes that are attached in such a way that they rotate together. |
| force | An influence on the shape, motion, or other characteristics of a body or system. |
| pulley | A wheel or set of wheels with grooved edges over which a rope or chain can be drawn in order to change the direction of a pulling force and increase the capacity for lifting weight. |
| friction | The resistance of a surface to relative motion, as of an object sliding or rolling over it. |
| wheel | Any instrument, device, or apparatus resembling such a disk or frame in shape, motion, or function. |
| convection | The transportation of heat from one place to another by the movement of a liquid or gas. |
| conduction | The transportation of heat or electricity from one place to another directly through an object. |
| radiation | The transportation of heat from one place to another by waves or particles. |
| precipitation | Falling products of condensation in the atmosphere, as rain, snow, or hail. |
| evaporation | When a liquid becomes a gas. This is usually done by heating the liquid. |
| condensation | When a gas turns into a liquid. This is usually done by cooling the gas. |
| transpiration | The process of plants taking up water from the soil and releasing it into the air through the leaves. |
| ground water | Water that soaks into the earth and fills the spaces of pores between the rocks and sediments. |
| land breeze | A wind blowing from the land toward the sea after sunset. |
| sea breeze | A wind blowing from a cool ocean surface onto adjoining warm land. |
| solar eclipse | When the Moon moves directly between the Sun and Earth and casts its shadow over part of the Earth. |
| lunar eclipse | When Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, causing the Moon to go dark. |
| waning | A gradual decrease in the amount of the Moon you see each night. |
| waxing | A gradual increase in the amount of the Moon you see each night. |
| new moon | This occurs when the Moon is between Earth and the Sun, causing the Moon to appear dark. |
| full moon | This occurs when all of the Moon's surface facing Earth reflects light. |
| solstice | The day when the Sun reaches its greatest distance north or south of the equator. |
| equinox | When the number of daylight hours and night time hours is equal all over the world. |
| revolution | The orbiting of one heavenly body around another. |
| rotation | The movement of a heavenly body turning on its axis. |
| abiotic | The nonliving, physical features of the environment, including air, water, sunlight, soil, temp. & climate |
| biotic | The features of the environment that are alive or were once alive. |
| biosphere | Part of Earth that supports life, including the top portion of the crust, atmosphere, & all surface water |
| biomes | Large geographic areas with similar climates and ecosystems |
| ecosystem | All the living organisms that live in an area & the nonliving features of the environment. |
| greenhouse effect | A condition where radiation enters the atmosphere and can't escape causing a warming effect. |
| food web | A model that shows the complex feeding relationship among organisms in a community. |
| species | A group of organisms that reproduces only with other members of their own group. |
| population | All the organisms that belong to the same species living in a community. |
| succession | Natural, gradual changes in the types of species that live in an area. |
