Science Vocabulary

Cell Biology, Energy & Motion, Water Cycle

Cell Biology

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cell
sel
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The basic structural unit of living things.
"Every living thing is made of cells."
Key Concept Building block of life
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cytoplasm
SY-toh-plaz-um
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Gel-like fluid inside a cell that holds organelles.
"The cytoplasm is like jelly inside a cell."
Think Cyto = cell, plasm = fluid
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eukaryotic
yoo-kair-ee-OT-ik
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Cells with a nucleus inside a membrane.
"Animals, plants, and fungi have eukaryotic cells."
Eu = true True nucleus (with membrane)
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Golgi bodies
GOL-jee
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Organelles that package and ship proteins.
"The Golgi bodies are like a post office for proteins."
Named after Camillo Golgi (scientist)
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lysosomes
LY-soh-sohmz
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Organelles that break down waste and old cell parts.
"Lysosomes are like the cell's recycling center."
Lyso = breaking They break things down
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membrane
MEM-brayn
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Outer covering of a cell; controls what enters/exits.
"The cell membrane is like a security gate."
Function Selectively permeable barrier
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mitochondria
my-toh-KON-dree-uh
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Organelles that produce energy (ATP) for the cell.
"Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell."
Famous phrase "Powerhouse of the cell"
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multicellular
mul-tee-SEL-yoo-lar
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Made of many cells.
"Humans are multicellular organisms."
Multi = many Many cells working together
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nucleus
NOO-klee-us
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Control center of a cell containing DNA.
"The nucleus holds the cell's genetic instructions."
Think Brain of the cell
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organelles
or-guh-NELZ
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Structures inside cells with specific functions.
"Mitochondria and ribosomes are organelles."
Think "Little organs" inside cells
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prokaryotic
proh-kair-ee-OT-ik
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Cells without a membrane-bound nucleus.
"Bacteria are prokaryotic cells."
Pro = before Before having a true nucleus
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ribosomes
RY-boh-sohmz
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Organelles that make proteins.
"Ribosomes are the cell's protein factories."
Function Build proteins from instructions
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tissue
TISH-oo
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A group of similar cells working together.
"Muscle tissue helps you move."
Level Cell → Tissue → Organ → System
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unicellular
yoo-nih-SEL-yoo-lar
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Made of one cell.
"Bacteria and amoebas are unicellular."
Uni = one Single-celled organisms
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vacuole
VAK-yoo-ohl
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Storage area in a cell for water, nutrients, or waste.
"Plant cells have a large central vacuole."
Think Cell's storage tank

Energy & Motion

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kinetic energy
kih-NET-ik
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Energy of motion.
"A rolling ball has kinetic energy."
Greek Kinesis = movement
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mass
mas
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Amount of matter in an object.
"Mass is measured in grams or kilograms."
Note Mass ≠ Weight (weight depends on gravity)
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motion
MOH-shun
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Change in position over time.
"The car's motion was steady down the highway."
Key Needs a reference point to measure
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speed
speed
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Rate of change in position (distance/time).
"Speed = distance ÷ time"
Formula s = d/t (miles per hour, etc.)
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thermal energy
THUR-mul
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Heat energy from vibrating molecules.
"Hot coffee has more thermal energy than iced tea."
Thermo = heat Like thermometer
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velocity
vuh-LOSS-ih-tee
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Speed in a specific direction.
"Velocity tells you how fast AND which way."
Key difference Speed + direction = velocity

Water Cycle

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absorption
ab-SORP-shun
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Taking in of water (or other substances).
"Plant roots use absorption to take in water."
Think Sponge absorbing water
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atmosphere
AT-mus-feer
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Layer of gases surrounding Earth.
"The atmosphere protects us from the sun."
Contains Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%)
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condensation
kon-den-SAY-shun
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Gas changing to liquid (cooling down).
"Water droplets on a cold glass are condensation."
Opposite Evaporation (liquid → gas)
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evaporation
ee-vap-or-AY-shun
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Liquid changing to gas (heating up).
"The sun causes evaporation from lakes and oceans."
Water cycle First step: water rises as vapor