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Glossary

How to Use This Glossary

This Glossary provides the definitions of the key terms that are shown in boldface type in the text (instruc- tional boldfaced words such as “observe” and “gather” used throughout the investigations are not included). Other terms that are not critical to your understanding, but that you may wish to know, are also included in the glossary. The Glossary entries also show the page number where you can find the boldfaced words.

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alternating current (AC) electricity the average mass of an A produced in a generator where the of an element absorption in biology, the process by current flowing from the generator the centre of the atom; which dissolved food particles pass changes direction regularly contains the and from the small intestine to altitude is the angle measured above the number of the capillaries the horizon in degrees when measur- protons in the nucleus of an atom ing altitude-azimuth co-ordinates acid a chemical that produces an azimuth is the angle measured clock- acidic substance, having a pH value altitude-azimuth (alt-azimuth) wise from north when measuring of less than 7 co-ordinates locate a celestial body altitude-azimuth co-ordinates acid precipitation rain or snow con- relative to a fixed Earth (as though the celestial bodies are circling Earth) taining acid compounds from the air B acid rain rain that contains higher ammeter an instrument used to mea- than normal levels of acid; caused by sure larger currents bacterial conjugation the direct waste gases released into the atmos- amperes the unit used to measure transfer of genetic material (DNA) phere by industries and automobiles; electric current (A). Milliamperes from one bacterial cell to another damaging to the environment (mA) is also commonly used ballistic missile a rocket with a acid-base neutralization the aquaculture fish farming bomb as a payload, launched in a trajectory that sends it up into space combining of an acid and a base aquifer an underwater reserve of water to produce salt and water and down onto its target artificial satellite a satellite made acidic having a pH value of less than 7 bar graph a diagram consisting by humans, such as a spacecraft or of horizontal or vertical bars that acute toxicity the ability of a chemical telescope represent (often numerical) data to cause harm to an organism with artificial selection technique in only one exposure base a chemical that produces a basic which individual plants or animals substance, having a pH value of more adaptive optics is the technology with desirable traits are bred than 7 that adjusts the mirror of a telescope, together to develop plants or or adjusts the image of a telescope, to animals with specific traits; also basic having a pH value of more than 7 cancel the effects of the constant called selective breeding battery a combination of cells, either changes in Earth’s atmosphere asexual reproduction the formation wet or dry algae type of aquatic micro-organ- of a new individual from a single behavioural adaptation an inherited ism, capable of photosynthesis organism characteristic behaviour that helps an algal bloom large increase in astrolabe is a device used to measure organism survive in its environment population of algae due to increased the altitude of an object. binary code two states (on or off) levels of nutrients in a water system; astronomical unit (AU)is the that represent numbers and letters may occur seasonally or due to pollution distance from Earth to the Sun (150 binary compounds compounds made million km) of two elements

Glossary • MHR 491 binary fission the splitting of a catalyst a substance that speeds up a colloids heterogeneous mixtures single-celled organism into two new chemical reaction without being used composed of fine particles evenly organisms approximately equal in up in a reaction distributed throughout a second size; amoebae and many bacteria caustic an agent that burns or substance reproduce asexually through this destroys living tissue combustion the highly exothermic process celestial bodies all objects seen combination of a substance with bioaccumulate to collect in progres- in the sky (the Sun, Moon, stars, ; requires heat, oxygen, sively higher concentrations toward and planets) and fuel the top of the food chain cell the smallest unit that can commensalism a symbiotic biodegradable able to be broken perform the functions of life relationship between two different down by bacteria, fungi, and other types of organisms in which one of simple organisms into carbon cell wall a rigid structure surrounding the partners benefits and the other dioxide and water the cell membrane of plants, fungi, neither benefits nor loses and some unicellular organisms; bioindicator species species that protects and supports the cell community an association of different help indicate environmental change populations of organisms in a particular charge coupled devices (CCDs) environment or geographic area biological diversity the number and devices that convert signals into variety of organisms in an area electric signals in digital format commutator a part of the dynamo generator that serves to reverse the biological indicator a living organ- chemical change a change in which ism whose state is indicative of induced current as it changes direction, one or more new chemical substances making the current flow in only conditions in a particular are formed environment one direction chemical family a group of related compass a device used to measure an biomagnification the process whereby elements that have similar properties chemicals accumulate in the tissues of object’s azimuth. organisms along the food chain chemical formula a formula that competition the struggle among shows the number and types of individual organisms for access to a bioreactor a tank containing bacteria in a in appropriate conditions for biore- limited resource, such as a food or mediation to occur chemical property a characteristic of territory that describes how it reacts compounds pure substances that are bioremediation a method of using when undergoing a chemical change living organisms to break down com- made up of two or more (e.g., reaction of a substance with elements chemically combined plex, toxic substances into electricity) simpler, non-toxic ones together; can be broken down into chemical reaction a process in which elements again by chemical means biotechnology using or modifying a substance is changed into one or concept map a diagram comprising living organisms to make marketable more new substances products; sometimes involves genetic words or phrases in circles or boxes engineering the study of the properties and connecting lines; used to show of matter and the changes it undergoes various relationships among con- branch each current path in a cepts; can also contain references to chromosome in a cell, tightly packed parallel current; a parallel circuit has events, objects, laws, themes, class- strands of DNA visible under a light a series of branches connected side room activities, or other items or microscope during cell division by side patterns related to the concept chronic toxicity the ability of a broad niche the roles or characteris- conclusion an interpretation of the chemical to cause harm to an organ- tic activities filled by a generalist results of an experiment as it applies ism only after the chemical organism to the hypothesis being tested accumulates to a specific level after budding an asexual reproduction many exposures over time conductivity the ability of a sub- process in which a bud forms on stance to carry an electrical current an organism, grows, and eventually circle graph a circle divided into breaks away to become a new organ- sections (like pieces of a pie) to conductors materials that allow ism independent of the parent represent data; also called a pie chart charges to move freely; most metals are conductors circuit breaker acts as a switch and C safety device that can cut all power constellations groupings of stars coming into the home that form patterns, which appear like carbohydrate an organic objects and are given names (such as clone an identical copy of a nutrient made of carbon, , Orion, the hunter) molecule, gene, cell, or entire organism and oxygen continuous variation in genetics, cogenerator systems electricity catalytic converter a device that traits that show a range of generating stations that produce encourages complete oxidation possibilities electricity and also supply during combustion thermal energy

492 MHR • Glossary control in a scientific experiment, a direct current (DC) current that egg female gamete; also, a develop- standard to which the results are flows in one direction only ing embryo enclosed in a shell or compared; often necessary in order discrete variation in genetics, inher- membrane and produced by animals to draw a valid conclusion; ensures a ited traits that have a limited number that do not give birth to live young fair test of variations, such as the ability or electric discharge the rebalancing of convex lens a lens that is thicker in inability to roll one’s tongue an unbalanced charge; felt as a shock the middle than around the edges; dissolving breaking up; forming or seen as a spark causes refracting light rays to con- a solution by mixing two or more electric generator a device that verge (come together) materials together converts mechanical energy into co-ordinate graph a grid that has diversity the differences or variety of electric energy data points named as ordered pairs of adaptations of living things electrical code the set of standards numbers (e.g. (4, 3)) diversity index a measure of the bio- for electrical work corrosion a process whereby metals logical diversity in an area, calculated electrodes the two metals in a or stone are chemically degraded or by dividing the number of runs in a voltaic or electrochemical cell broken down walk-through of an area by the total electrolysis the process of decom- cosmonaut the Russian term number of specimens posing a by for astronaut DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) a - passing an electric current through it cotyledon a seed leaf; a structure in a cule that stores genetic information electrolyte a substance that conducts seed that nourishes the plant embryo for heritable traits and directs the an electric current, and in which the cross-pollination pollination of an structure and functions of cells electrodes are placed ovule in a flower with pollen from a domestic animal an animal that is electromagnet a strong temporary different individual plant no longer wild, but has been bred or magnet, created by inserting a soft cycle concept map an events chain tamed by humans to perform various iron core into a coil of wire and then map in which a series of events does functions passing a current through the wire not produce a final outcome; this dominant trait an inherited trait that electromagnetic radiation varying type of concept map has no begin- shows up in the offspring types of energy waves emitted by ning and no end Doppler effect the phenomenon that stars (radio waves, infrared waves, the observed frequency of a wave visible light, ultraviolet waves, X D changes if the source of the wave and rays, and gamma rays) the observer are moving toward or negatively charged ’s atomic states that: away from one another All matter is made up of small parti- particles cles called atoms; Atoms cannot be dynamo a generator that produces element a pure substance made up of created, destroyed, or divided into direct current one type of particle, cannot be smaller particles; All atoms of the broken down into simpler substances same element are identical in mass E by means of a chemical change and size. Atoms of one element are element symbols one or more different in mass and size from the Earth-centred (or geocentric) a letters used to represent the name of atoms of other elements; Compounds model of the universe that places a substance (e.g., O is the symbol for are created when atoms of different Earth at the centre with the Sun, oxygen) elements link together in definite Moon, and planets revolving around it proportions. ecological footprint a calculation of ellipse a figure that looks like a squashed circle; planets in the solar density amount of matter that occu- the total area of land and water system move in elliptical orbits pies a certain space; the mass per unit needed to supply all of the materials around the Sun volume of a substance and energy a human uses, as well as absorb the waste produced, expressed embryo a multi-cellular organism diatomic molecules made in square metres or hectares. during early development of two atoms of the same element emulsions types of colloids in which dicot a flowering plant whose seeds ecosystem all the interacting parts of liquids are dispersed in liquids contain two cotyledons that store a biological community and its envi- food for the embryo ronment endangered of a species, facing risk of extinction diffraction grating a device made of efficiency the ratio of the useful thousands of closely spaced slits work or energy provided by a endothermic reaction a chemical through which light is passed in machine or system with the actual reaction in which heat energy is order to produce a spectrum work or energy supplied to the taken in from the surroundings machine or system digital electronic technology environment the area or conditions machines that process numerically in which an organism lives; some- coded information times used to refer exclusively to natural areas on Earth

Glossary • MHR 493 enzyme a special protein molecule gamete a reproductive cell (egg or graphic organizer a visual learning that regulates chemical reactions in sperm) containing half the number of tool that helps clarify the relation- living organisms chromosomes of a somatic cell ship between a central concept and exhaust velocity the speed at which gas the state of matter in which related ideas or terms exhaust leaves a rocket a substance has neither a definite greenhouse gas gases that help experiment an activity or procedure shape nor a definite volume (e.g., regulate the temperature on Earth designed to test a hypothesis water vapour) by holding in the heat from the Sun in our atmosphere exponent in or mathematics, gauge description of the cross- a number, or power, that tells you sectional thickness of wire grounding connecting an object to how many times the number is gene a section of DNA on a chromo- Earth with conducting wire to safely multiplied by itself; e.g. 103 means some that codes for a specific protein rebalance a charge 10 10 10 or 1000 and function ground water water that filters down exothermic a chemical reaction in generalist an organism with general- through soil and fills spaces in the which heat energy is released to the ized requirements and adaptations ground surroundings that allow it to survive in variable ground wire a device to safely chan- extinct of a species, no longer existing conditions and depend on a variety of nel any energy that has “leaked” out; food sources; generalists tend to have the ground wire is either bare copper extirpation the extinction of a broad niches or covered with green insulation species from specific geographic areas genetic engineering the artificial eyepiece (or ocular lens) the lens introduction of genes from one H through which you view a magnified organism into the genetic material of object using a telescope. another organism habitat the place where an organism lives F genetically modified organism an organism that has been altered by the hazardous containing substances that fair test an investigation (experi- artificial introduction of genetic are poisonous, corrosive, flammable, ment) carried out under strictly information from a or explosive controlled conditions to ensure accu- different organism heat thermal energy transferred from racy and reliability or results; in a genetics the study of genes or one object or substance to another fair test, all variables are controlled heritable traits because of a temperature difference except the one variable under heavy metal a metal with a high investigation genus a group of species that are related density (usually over 4.0 g/mL) field of view the area seen through geocentric (or Earth-centred) a model heliocentric (or Sun-centred) a the eyepiece of a microscope or other model of the universe that places the optical instrument of the universe that places Earth at the centre with the Sun, moons, and Sun at the centre with Earth, the flare gas waste gas from natural gas planets revolving around it planets, and moons revolving production facilities that is burned to around it generate electricity geosynchronous orbit orbit of satel- lites placed about 36 000 km above herbicide a chemical used to focus to bring (rays of light) to a the ground, directly above the equa- control weeds point; for example, a concave mirror tor, orbiting Earth once every 24 h heritable a genetic characteristic; or a convex lens focusses light rays geothermal energy thermal energy that is, one that can be passed on frame of reference a set of axes of contained in the inner from parent to offspring any kind that is used to describe the portions of Earth heterogeneous mixture a mixture in positions or motions of things global positioning system (GPS) which the particles are not uniformly fungicide a chemical used to using a fleet of GPS satellites above scattered; does not have a uniform control moulds and fungi Earth and small hand-held GPS units composition fuse a device containing a metallic on Earth, you can histogram a type of bar graph in conductor that melts when heated by calculate your position on Earth which each bar represents a range excessive current to within 30 m (military units can of values and in which the data are be accurate to within a few continuous G centimetres) homogeneous mixture a mixture in global treaties international which particles are uniformly scat- galvanization the process of protect- agreements between many nations tered; has a uniform composition ing metals by coating them with a worldwide thin layer of zinc hormones substances released from gravitational assist a method of specific glands to control galvanometer an instrument used to acceleration which enables spacecraft particular body activities. The measure very weak current to change speed by using the gravity hormone insulin, for example, of a planet regulates the body’s burning and storage of sugar.

494 MHR • Glossary hot wire one of the “live” wires in light-year the distance that light K electric cables, which carries high travels in one year (approximately 63 energy electricity; the hot wire is kilopascal (kPa) a unit of pressure 240 AU or about 9.5 trillion km) black and insulated equal to 1000 pascals liming the process of adding calcium human genome all of the genes or kinetic energy the energy of motion carbonate to the environment genetic information of the human line graph a diagram that shows how species kilowatt hour (kW·h) a unit of electrical energy; the amount of one value depends on or changes hydro-electric plants plants that use energy transmitted by one thousand according to another value; produced water pressure to generate electric watts of power over a period of one by drawing a line that connects data energy hour; 1 kW•h 1000 W of power points plotted in relation to a y axis hypothesis a statement of a proposed used for 1 h (vertical axis) and an x axis (horizon- tal axis) relationship, based on background kingdom one of five main groupings information or an observed pattern for classifying living things lipid an organic nutrient that does of events, and stated in a way that on Earth; the five kingdoms are: not dissolve in water makes it testable. animal, plant, fungus, protist, litmus a mixture of plant compounds and monera used as a chemical indicator I L liquid the state of matter in which a indicator a chemical that changes substance has a definite volume, but colour to indicate whether a sub- law an action or condition that has no definite shape (e.g., water) stance is an acid or a base been observed so consistently that loads items along a circuit that con- infer to conclude or decide by scientists are convinced it will always vert electricity into other forms of reasoning happen energy inference a conclusion or opinion Law of Charges Laws that describe low Earth orbit satellites are placed formed by inferring the behaviour between charged and from 200—800 km above the ground uncharged objects: complete one orbit of Earth in about inhibitor substances that slow down 1. Unlike charges attract 1.5h or prevent chemical reactions 2. Like charges repel inner planets the four planets closest 3. Charged objects attract uncharged M to the Sun—Mercury, Venus, Earth, (neutral) objects and Mars—sometimes called terres- law of in a macroinvertebrate an organism visi- trial planets because of their chemical change, the total mass of ble to the unaided eye and lacking a terrestrial, or rocky, composition the new substances is always the backbone input work work done on a machine same as the total mass of the original macromineral a mineral that the substances insecticide a chemical used to body requires in the amount of control insects law of definite composition com- 100 mg/day or more in order to pounds are pure substances that maintain health insulators any material in which the contain two or more elements com- charge stays on the spot where the magnification the apparent amount bined together in fixed (or definite) object is rubbed; most non-metals of enlargement produced by a micro- proportions are insulators scope or similar magnifying LD50 the dose of a chemical that instrument interferometry a technology that will kill 50% of the population to electronically connects two (or more) magnify to make an object appear which it is applied separate telescopes to larger by using a microscope or combine their images leach dissolves in water and the another magnifying instrument water seeps downward introduced species a non-native manipulated variable in an experi- species introduced to one leachate the liquid that results as ment, a factor that is selected or environment from another wastes decompose and rainwater fil- adjusted to see what effect ters down through the landfill the change will have on the respond- ionic compound formed when atoms ing variable lens a curved piece of transparent transfer electrons to or from other material, usually glass or plastic; light mass the amount of matter in a sub- atoms rays bend as they pass through a lens stance; often measured with a balance mass number the total number of J levels of organization in organisms, the arrangement of structures from protons and neutrons in the nucleus joule (J) a unit used to measure the simplest (i.e., cells) to more com- meiosis in the formation of the energy or work; 1 J a force of plex (i.e., tissues, organs, and organ gametes, the process by which genetic 1 N moving through 1 m systems) material is duplicated and divided so that each gamete has half the number of chromosomes of a somatic cell

Glossary • MHR 495 melting the process of changing mutualism a symbiotic relationship nutrient a chemical in food, used for from to liquid between two different types of energy, growth, body building, or melting point the temperature at organisms that is beneficial to both cell repair which a solid changes to a liquid organisms O metalloids elements with properties mycorrhizal fungi fungi that live in in between metals and nonmetals or on the roots of plants and help them draw nutrients from the soil objective lens the large lens at the metric system a system of measure- front of a telescope. ment based on multiples of N objective mirror the mirror in ten and in which the basic unit of a reflecting telescope; also called length is the metre narrow niche a highly specialized the primary mirror meristem an area of cell division of role or characteristic activity under- observation the use of the senses to unspecialized cells in the tips of roots taken by an organism in an gather information; in science, often and shoots that produces new growth ecosystem aided by instruments such in plants natural selection a naturally occur- as telescopes, thermometers, microgravity there is almost as much ring process in which only those and balances gravity in orbit as there is on Earth; organisms with the best traits for sur- ocular lens (or eyepiece) the lens however, gravity is effectively elimi- vival in an environment through which you view a magnified nated inside a spacecraft due to the survive to reproduce; over time object using a telescope free-falling effect of orbiting Earth, this process results in changes in the which causes the microgravity genetic characteristics of a species ohm the standard unit for resistance environment network tree a concept map in micro-organism a single-celled which some terms are circled V Ohm's law R resistance organism while other terms are written on I connecting lines microscope an instrument that (potential difference) makes objects appear larger by bend- neutrons uncharged particles in the current ing light through a lens atomic nucleus ohmmeter an instrument to directly mitosis the process by which genetic niche the role or characteristic activ- measure resistance material is duplicated and divided so ity that is undertaken by an organism open pit mining mining in which that the two new cells have identical in an ecosystem; one organism may the fuel, such as coal, is uncovered sets of chromosomes fill several different niches and dug directly from the ground mixture a combination of two or base in genetics, a chemical outer planets the four planets more pure substances such that each subunit of DNA furthest from the Sun—Jupiter, one’s properties are not lost, but may non-persistent wastes wastes that Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—all be hidden can be broken down into simple non- have gaseous composition model a mental image, used as a polluting compounds by output work the work a machine building block that helps to explain naturally occurring chemical does on a load an event; often, for clarity, reactions or bacterial action scientists diagram, make physical non-point source a source of ovule the plant part that develops representations, or treat mathemati- pollution in which pollutants are dif- into a seed cally the features of a model fuse and originate from no oxidation a chemical reaction in molecular compound formed when specific location which oxygen combines with other atoms share electrons non-renewable resources fuels that elements to form new substances molecule smallest independent unit are consumed faster than they can be of a pure substance, generally a clus- replaced by nature P ter of atoms joined together neutral wire one of the “live” wires parallel circuits circuits with monocot a flowering plant whose in electric cables, which returns low several current paths seeds contain a single cotyledon that energy electricity back to the breaker parasitism a symbiotic relationship transfers food from the endosperm to panel; the neutral wire is white and between two different types of the embryo insulated organisms in which one of the part- mutagen an agent that can cause nuclear fission the process whereby ners is harmed and the changes in the genetic information of uranium is split into smaller atoms, other benefits an organism releasing energy particle model of matter mutation a change in the genetic nuclear fusion the process whereby a scientific model of the structure information, or DNA, of an two smaller atoms join into a larger of matter; one part of this theory organism atom, producing tremendous energy; states that all matter is made up how the Sun generates energy of extremely small particles

496 MHR • Glossary payload the device or material that a protected areas natural areas red shift when spectral lines move rocket carries protected by law from certain kinds toward the longer-wavelength part piezoelectric effect sound produced of human activities; includes pre- (red end) of the spectrum when an electric current causes serves, refuges, and provincial and reflecting telescope a telescope that vibrations in a tiny crystal national parks has a mirror for its objective persistent wastes wastes that accu- protein an organic nutrient com- refracting telescope a telescope that mulate in the environment and break posed of a chain of amino acids has a lens for the objective down very slowly, if at all positively charged particle remote sensing taking measure- pesticide a chemical used to found inside the atomic nucleus ments of Earth (and other planets) control "pests" from space pure substance a material that con- pH paper paper saturated with tains only one kind of particle reproductive strategy a method an a chemical to show whether a organism uses to reproduce substance is acidic or basic Q resistance the property of a sub- pH scale a scale that measures the stance that hinders motion of electric acidity or alkalinity of a substance qualitative data information gath- charge and converts electric energy ered by observations in which no into other forms of energy photovoltaic cell (PV) a device used measurement takes place to produce electricity resistor symbol used to represent from light qualitative physical property one of many different loads in a cir- a characteristic of a substance that cuit diagram physical change change in form but can be described but not measured not in chemical composition; no new numerically (i.e., a quality) resolving power determines the substances are formed fineness of detail a telescope can pro- qualitative property a characteristic duce of an object in view pistil the seed-producing, or female, of a substance that can be described part of a flower but not measured responding variable in an experiment, the factor that changes planets celestial bodies in our solar quantitative data data that system, including Earth, that orbit in response to a change in the consist of numbers and/or units of manipulated variable the Sun measurement; obtained through mea- point source a specific location surement and through rhizobia a group of bacteria that are where pollution originates mathematical calculations able to live in direct association with the roots of legume plants; the bacte- pollen tube in a plant, a tube that quantitative physical property ria convert atmospheric nitrogen into grows from a pollen grain toward a characteristic of a substance that compounds the plant can use the ovule can be measured numerically (a quantity) rocket a tube that contains com- pollutant any material, or form of bustible material in one end and a energy, that will cause harm to a quantitative property a characteristic payload in the other end and moves living organism of a substance that can be measured by the action, reaction principle pollution an alteration of the R rotor the rotating core of an environment producing a condition AC motor harmful to living things radio astronomy using radio waves rust iron oxide, a product of the potential difference the difference to learn about the composition chemical reaction of iron, oxygen, in potential energy per unit of charge of stars between one point in the circuit and and moisture radio object objects in space another point in the circuit that give off large amounts of S potential energy stored energy radio waves power energy per unit time. reactants the substances that go into sanitary landfill a landfill incorpo- Power Energy/Time a chemical reaction rating a waterproof liner filled with compacted garbage covered predator an organism that catches reaction rate a measure of how fast a with earth and eats other organisms of a reaction occurs different species scale drawing a drawing in which recessive trait an inherited trait that the objects appear in the same pro- products the substances produced by shows up in the offspring only if portions as they are in reality a chemical reaction both parents passed on the genes for science a body of facts or knowledge properties characteristics that the trait; when mixed with genes for about the natural world, but also a describe matter a dominant trait, a recessive trait does not show up in the offspring way of thinking and asking questions about nature and the universe

Glossary • MHR 497 science inquiry the orderly process solid the state of matter in which a stator a stationary part of a of asking concise and well-focussed substance has a definite shape and a motor surrounding the rotor. questions and designing experiments definite volume (e.g., ice) The simplest form of stator is a that will give clear answers to soluble able to be dissolved in a two-pole electromagnet those questions particular solvent structural adaptation an inherited scientific investigation an solution a homogeneous mixture of physical characteristic that helps an investigation that involves the system- two or more pure substances organism survive in its environment atic application of concepts and STS an abbreviation for the inter- procedures (e.g., experimentation and solvent a substance that can be used to dissolve another substance relationships among science, research, observation and measurement, technology, and societal issues analysis and sharing of data) somatic cells body cells, not the egg or sperm (reproductive cells) suborbital a trajectory in which a scientific notation a short form for spacecraft is boosted above the writing very large or very small sorbent a substance that absorbs atmosphere and then falls back to 11 numbers (e.g., 3 10 means oxides Earth without going into orbit 3 10 10 10 10 10 10 specialist a type of organism 10 10 10 10 10) Sun-centred (or heliocentric) a that is adapted to very specific envi- model of the universe that places the scrubber a device that uses a ronments and having a narrow niche Sun at the centre with Earth, the sorbent to reduce oxide emissions specialization adaptations for planets, and moons revolving around it scrubbers antipollution systems that surviving in very specific environments superconductors materials that offer remove sulfur dioxide and contami- speciation the evolution of different little or no resistance to the flow of nating gasses resulting from the species from a single ancestor charges burning of fossil fuels species a group of organisms that suspension a heterogeneous mixture secure landfill a specialized share similar genetic and physical in which particles settle slowly after landfill that safely disposes of characteristics; generally these mixing hazardous and toxic wastes organisms can interbreed and sustainable resource a resource seed bank a collection of genetically produce fertile offspring which can be managed to provide diverse seeds spectral analysis the study a reliable supply to meet present and selective breeding technique in of spectra future needs which individual plants or animals spectral lines dark lines or bright switch used to open or close a with desirable traits are bred lines observed in the spectra of stars circuit to control the flow of together to develop plants or current through it animals with specific traits; also spectroscope a device that produces called artificial selection a focussed spectrum symbiotic an interaction between organisms of different species living the study of spectra self-pollination pollination of an in close proximity to each other in a spectrum produced when a beam of ovule in a flower with pollen from relationship that lasts over time the same flower light is passed through a prism series circuits circuits with only one sperm the male gamete system a collection of parts that work together in such a way that a current path spider map a concept map used to change in one part can result in a organize a central idea and a jumble sexual reproduction reproductive change in another part process involving two sexes or of associated ideas that are not mating types, and resulting in off- necessarily related to each other T spring with a combination of genes spore a single-celled reproductive from both parents structure from which an individual table an orderly arrangement of facts short circuit occurs when the wires offspring develops; plants, algae, or numerical data set out for easy in an electric cord accidentally fungi, and some protozoa reference; for example, an arrange- connect, usually because of frayed produce spores ment of numerical values in vertical or horizontal lines insulation static electricity a charge produced SI (from the French Le Système by rubbing or touching objects technology the application of international d’unités) the international together scientific knowledge and everyday experience in solving practical system of measurement units, staged rocket a rocket with more problems by designing and developing including such terms as kilogram, than one stage; a stage is a section of devices, materials, systems, metre, and second a rocket that drops off once its fuel is and processes solar wind high-energy subatomic used up telescope a device used to magnify particles that stream off the Sun stamen the part of a flower that objects at great distances and define the boundaries of the contains pollen solar system

498 MHR • Glossary temperature a measure of the water quality the characteristics of a U thermal energy of the particles water resource that make it suitable in a substance unbalanced charges a more or unsuitable for various uses theory an explanation of an event correct term for static electricity, water table in the ground, the level that has been supported by consis- because the charges are not station- beneath which porous rocks are satu- tent, repeated experimental results ary; rather they move rated with water and has therefore been accepted by a universal gravitation Newton’s law water treatment the purification of majority of scientists states that all objects attract all other a supply of water thermal energy the total energy objects, and provides an explanation watershed area of land that drains of the random motion of particles for the planets’ elliptical orbits into a body of water making up a substance V watt (W) a unit of power equivalent thermal pollution occurs when to one joule per second; 1 W = 1 J/s warm water is returned directly to the lake or river from where it is taken, variable a factor that can influence weight the force of gravity exerted increasing the water temperature the outcome of an experiment on a mass thermocouple a loop of two wires variation differences in characteris- wet mount a type of sample prepara- made of different types of metals that tics of organisms caused by genetic tion using a microscope slide, a cover converts heat to energy and environmental factors slip, and water thermo-electric generator plants Venn diagram a graphic organizer WHMIS an acronym that stands for that burn fossil fuels to produce consisting of overlapping circles; Workplace Hazardous Materials electricity used to compare and contrast two Information System concepts or objects thermonuclear electric generation work the transfer of energy through using the energy released in nuclear very long baseline interferometry motion fission to generate electricity (VLBI) a technology that combines images from telescopes anywhere on X thermopile thermocouples Earth using timing marks but not wires connected in series vitamin a molecule that helps xylem tissue [ZIH-lem] in plants, toxicity the ability of a chemical to enzymes function in the body the tissue that conducts water and cause harm to an organism minerals absorbed by the root cells to volt standard unit for voltage (V) trace element a mineral that the every cell in the plant voltage a common term referring to body requires in the amount of Y less than 100 mg/day in order to potential difference maintain health voltmeter the instrument used to Z transformers used to “step-up” the measure voltage voltage for efficient transmission of zoospore a flagellated asexual spore; current over long distances W the alga Chlamydomonas reproduces by zoospores transgenic an organism produced by water cycle the process in which moving DNA from one organism to nearly all water on Earth moves con- zygospore a single-celled another to create a new genetic tinuously between the oceans, land, reproductive structure formed in combination and atmosphere sexual reproduction by some fungi; zygospores contain genetic informa- transistors electronic switches in water management the process tion from two different mating types, modern digital devices of maintaining a safe water supply and triangulation a method of measuring water monitoring the regular obser- zygote the new cell formed by the distance indirectly by creating an vation and testing of a water supply imaginary triangle between an process of fertilization observer and an object whose distance is to be estimated

Glossary • MHR 499