OUTDOOR SCIENCE SCHOOL VOC (#6 – Test) [Terms in BLUE were previously defined]
1. (1/5-6 Pg 44) PREDATOR – an animal that hunts and kills other animals for food (a) antonym = prey (b) the interaction or relationship between predator and prey = predation
2. (1/5-6 Pg 44) PREY – an animal hunted by another animal (a) antonym = predator (b) the interaction or relationship between predator and prey = predation
3. (6 Pg 44) CAMOUFLAGE – the outside coloring or shape which matches or blends in with the background (a) types of camouflage: 1. protective coloration = a color pattern used by prey allowing it to blend in with its environment to go undetected by its predators (e.g. insects, rabbits, amphibians) 2. disruptive coloration = a pattern (such as stripes or spots) that makes it harder to see the outline of an object (e.g. zebra, tiger, leopard) 3. counter-shading = the color-blocking (usually dark on top and light on the underside) that makes organisms more difficult to see from above or below (e.g. penguins, sharks) 4. chromatophores = specialized skin cells that allow an organism to quickly change color to that of a new environment and to express emotions (e.g. octopus, squid, chameleon)
4. (6 Pg 44) NATURAL SELECTION – a process that causes the survival of individuals or groups best adjusted to the conditions under which they live
5. (6 Pg 64) INTERDEPENDENCE – the reliance of two or more living things upon one another for survival
6. (5-6 Pg 64) COMMUNITY – the collection of organisms that live together, interact with one another, and depend on one another in an area (a) communities are defined by the vegetation they support (b) organism population (a group of the same species of organism) community ecosystem (collection of organisms and abiotic factors) biome (a collection of ecosystem with similar climate ) 7. (1-6 Pg 64) CLIMATE – the average weather conditions of an area over a long period of time (a) California’s climate = “mediterranean”
8. (1/2/4-6 Pg 64) ABIOTIC – the non-living factors in the environment (a) synonym = inorganic (b) antonym = biotic (c) (e.g.) in soil à the finely divided rock materials and minerals (e.g.) water, sunlight, temperature, nutrients, wind
9. (1-6 Pg 64) PRECIPITATION – a water cycle term referring to water being “deposited” on Earth in various forms (a) (e.g.) rain, snow, sleet, hail or mist
10. (6 Pg 64) RAIN GAUGE – instrument used for measuring precipitation, specifically rain
11. (1/2/5-6 Pg 64) SOIL – finely divided rock material (abiotic) mixed with decayed plant and animal material (biotic) (a) soil is the medium in which plants grow
12. (6 Pg 64) CONIFER – an evergreen shrub or tree that bears its seeds in true cones (a) (e.g.) pine, fir, spruce, etc…
13. (3/5-6 Pg 65) ADAPTATION – a change in structure or habit of an organism that produces better adjustment to the environment
14. (1-6 Pg 65) ORGANISM – any living thing, plant or animal (unicellular or multi- cellular) (a) also an agent of mechanical and chemical weathering (b) (e.g.) mechanical weathering: plant roots, burrowing animals (e.g.) chemical weathering: lichen, moss
15. (5-6 Pg 65) REPRODUCTION – the process by which living things produce more of their own kind to keep their species alive (a) 2 types: Asexual Reproduction: “1” parent cell produce genetically “identical” offspring types: binary fission, budding, regeneration, conjugation and spores (e.g.) protozoa, yeast, starfish, algae, fungus Sexual Reproduction: “2” parent cells produce genetically “similar” offspring (e.g.) multi-cellular organisms, flowers 16. (2/6 Pg 65) DORMANT – a state of suspended activity (a) volcanoes = not currently active (b) plants = resting stage during the fall and winter seasons
17. (5-6 Pg 66) ECOSYSTEM – an environment of any size with interaction and interdependence of all organisms and abiotic factors (a) organism population (a group of the same species of organism) community ecosystem biome (a collection of ecosystem with similar climate )
18. (1-3/5-6 Pg 66) ENVIRONMENT – ALL the various living organisms (biotic) and the nonliving conditions (abiotic factors) that affect the lives of those organisms at any point during their life cycle
19. (3/4-6 Pg 66) AQUATIC – living or growing in or on water (a) “substrate” is H2O
20. (3/4/6 Pg 66) WOOD – the part of a tree that supports the tree and carries water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves (a) also known as “heartwood” - the “backbone” of the tree holding the tree upright and supporting its mass (b) phloem - the “living tissues” carrying sugars (glucose), produced by photosynthesis, and nutrients to all parts of the plant found in the inner most layer of the bark (c) xylem – transports water and some nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant
21. (3/5-6 Pg 66) INSECT – an invertebrate (no backbone) with 3 body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen), 3 pairs of legs and usually wings once it reaches adulthood (a) the kind of organism whose life cycle consists of an egg, larva, pupa and adult stages in complete metamorphosis OR egg, nymph and adult stages in incomplete/simple metamorphosis (b) insects are the most numerous animal on Earth (c) insects/invertebrates are one of the largest groups of decomposers
22. (6 Pg 66) LIFE CYCLE – the developmental sequence of an organism from fertilization of the egg until the death of the organism
23. (6 Pg 66) COMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS – the physical changes in the development of certain insects that include 4 stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult stage (a) (e.g.) beetles, moths, bees, butterflies, house fly, etc… 24. (6 Pg 66) PUPA – the resting stage of an insect’s life cycle undergoing complete metamorphosis (a) synonym = cocoon and chrysalis
25. (6 Pg 66) SIMPLE METAMORPHOSIS – the physical changes in the life cycle development of certain insects that include 3 stages: egg, nymph, and adult stage (a) synonym = incomplete metamorphosis (b) (e.g.) grasshoppers, crickets, preying mantis, etc…
26. (6 Pg 66) NYMPH – the immature stage in the life cycle of an insect undergoing simple (or incomplete) metamorphosis (a) a “smaller-looking” version of the adult insect without wings (b) molting = the continual shedding of the outer skeleton during its growth to adult size
27. (5-6 Pg 67) FOREST – a complex community of interacting plants and animals in which trees (deciduous and conifers) are the most conspicuous and dominant members
28. (2/6 Pg 67) MOSS – a simple, non-flowering green plant that uses the asexual reproduction process of spores (a) grows in moist places, on rocks and on wood
29. (6 Pg 67) SPORE – the reproductive body (asexual) of fern and moss plants and fungi
30. (6 Pg 67) HIBERNATE – to spend the winter in a resting state where all body processes slow down (a) animals = hibernate (b) plants and insects = dormant (perennial plants, cicadas) (c) amphibians, bears, mice, bats = torpor (temporary hibernation)
31. (2/5-6 Pg 67) NUTRIENTS – are the minerals and vitamins needed by living things (a) positive “leaching” is the process that carries nutrients from upper horizon layers to the lower ones (b) negative “leaching” removes vital nutrients from the soil due to same crop planting or lack of fertilizing 32. (6 Pg 67) EVERGREEN – trees/bushes that remain green throughout the year because they do not shed all their leaves in one period or season (a) (e.g.) pine trees, conifers (b) antonym = deciduous
33. (6 Pg 67) NEEDLELEAF – bearing “needle-like” leaves or foliage (leaves) (a) (e.g.) conifers: pine, Douglas fir, spruce
34. (6 Pg 67) SCALE-LIKE LEAF – foliage that resembles “plate-like” coverings on fish and reptiles (a) (e.g.) conifers: cedar, junipers
35. (6 Pg 67) TRANSITIONAL ZONE – the land area that lies between two types of ecosystems containing elements of both
36. (6 Pg 67) SWITCHBACK – zigzagging turns in a road or trail in a mountain area
37. (6 Pg 68) NOCTURNAL – awake and active during the night (a) antonym = diurnal (b) (e.g.) owls, mice, bats, etc…
38. (6 Pg 68) DIURNAL – awake and active during the day (a) antonym = nocturnal (b) (e.g.) humans, hawks, squirrels, etc…
39. (6 Pg 68) CREPUSCULAR – awake and active at dawn and dusk (a) (e.g.) deer, skunks, etc…
40. (5-6 Pg 70) DECIDUOUS – term used to describe plants which shed all their leaves seasonally (a) (e.g.) maple, ash, hickory, etc… (b) antonym = evergreen
41. (6 Pg 70) BROADLEAF – a term describing a plant with wide-bladed leaves (a) (e.g.) oak leaf, maple leaf 42. (2/6 Pg 70) LITTER – the dead leaves, branches, and other plant and animal remains (organic matter) that form the top layer of the forest floor (a) (antonym) “canopy” – the forest ceiling
43. (3/6 Pg 70) FERN – a non-flowering primitive plant, feather-like in appearance reproducing by spores
44. (5-6 Pg 70) RAPTOR – a bird of prey (a) (e.g.) owl, hawk, eagle, falcon (b) carnivore species of birds
45. (6 Pg 71) CANOPY – the layer of the forest comprised of a dense, overhanging screen of leaves (tree tops) from which the forest ceiling is formed (a) layer receiving the most sunlight (b) antonym = litter (forest floor)
46. (6 Pg 71) UNDERSTORY – the layer of plants growing under other higher layers of plants (a) (e.g.) grass, ferns, shrubs, vines, etc… growing under the canopy
47. (1/4-6 Pg 77) ALGAE (singular: alga) – a simple plant living in water and contains chlorophyll (a) alga (singular) lacks true: roots, stems, and leaves (b) algae is a member of the protist kingdom
48. (5-6 Pg 77) EGG – the reproductive body (round or oval) from which the young hatches (a) it is the 1st stage of development in the metamorphosis process for both complete and simple/incomplete metamorphosis
49. (1/2/5-6 Pg 77) BACTERIA – (singular bacterium) – are single-celled (unicellular), microscopic organisms that lack chlorophyll and belong to the moneran kingdom (a) bacteria are helpful (decomposers) & harmful (cause disease/pollution) (b) bacteria form and live in colonies (c) one of the “major” groups of decomposers
50. (3/5-6 Pg 77) REPTILE – a cold-blooded (ectothermic), air breathing (has lungs) vertebrate (with a backbone) covered with scales or boney plates (reduces water loss) (a) (e.g.) snakes, alligators, lizards, turtles, chameleons 51. (6 Pg 77) COLD-BLOODED – an animal having a fluctuating body temperature approximately that of the surrounding land, air, or water [H2O] (a) antonym = warm-blooded (endothermic) (b) synonym = ectothermic rely on outside sources to raise/lower body temperature (c) (e.g.) fish and reptiles
52. (6 Pg 77) RIPARIAN – organisms living or located along the banks of streams, rivers, or other bodies of water [H2O]
53. (1/3/5-6 Pg 90) PRODUCER – an organism, usually a green plant, which produces its own organic compound (glucose) through the process of photosynthesis (a) synonym = autotroph (b) antonym = consumer (heterotroph) (c) (e.g.) grass, trees, algae
54. (1/4-6 Pg 90) SUN – the yellow star which is the center of our solar system (a) 4.6 billion years old (middle aged) [5.5 billion years left] (b) scientific name = “sol” (c) composition: H = 92%; He = 7.8%; O = 0.06%; C = 0.03% (d) nuclear fusion is its form of energy [created by the bombardment of hydrogen [H] atoms with each other creating helium [He] atoms
55. (5-6 Pg 90) SUGAR – a colorless, sweet substance forming compounds of carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) (a) synonym = glucose [C6H12O6] (b) complex sugar = table sugar [C12H22O11] (c) manufactured by producers (green plants/autotrophs) during photosynthesis
56. (1/3/5-6 Pg 90) CONSUMER – an organism, that preys on and ingests (eats) other organisms (a) synonym = heterotroph (b) antonym = producer; autotroph (c) “4” types: herbivores, carnivores, omnivores and insectivores (d) (e.g.) rabbit, hawk, humans, spiders (e) 1st level consumer = producers [(e.g.) grasses] 2nd level consumer = eats a 1st level consumer [(e.g.) herbivore] tertiary consumer = eats a 2nd level consumer [(e.g.) carnivore]
57. (1/4/6 Pg 93) EVAPORATION – the process by which a liquid changes into a gas (a) antonym = condensation 58. (6 Pg 93) RELATIVE HUMIDITY – the ratio (written as a percent) of the amount of moisture in the atmosphere to the quantity which would be present when saturated (a) (e.g.) 42% relative humidity (b) warm air can hold more moisture than colder air (c) used in weather broadcasting to relay the amount of humidity (d) a psychrometer is the instrument used to measure relative humidity
59. (6 Pg 93) HYGROMETER – an instrument used to measure the humidity in the air at a given time (a) a low percentage number = air is dry (b) a high percentage number = greater humidity (c) a “psychrometer” is the instrument used to measure relative humidity
60. (1-4/6 Pg 93) ATMOSPHERE – the layers of gases surrounding the Earth and other planets (a) Composition: 78% nitrogen [N], 21% oxygen [O], 0.9% argon [Ar], 0.03% carbon-dioxide [CO2] (b) Layers: troposphere = lowest layer that we live in stratosphere = the ozone layer [O3] mesosphere = meteors burn up and their trails are visible thermosphere = air is very thin ionosphere = aurora borealis (Northern Lights) occurs exosphere = communication satellites orbit Earth
61. (6 Pg 93) AIR PRESSURE – the force that air exerts on a surface (a) warm air has less weight and has a low barometric pressure (b) cold air has greater weight and has a high barometric pressure (c) air always moves from high air pressure areas to low air pressure
62. (6 Pg 93) BAROMETER – the instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure used in weather forecasting (a) high number = high air pressure = clear, dry weather (air is heavy) (b) low number = low air pressure = stormy weather (air is light) 63. (1/6 Pg 93) CONDENSATION – physical change by which a gas changes into a liquid (a) (e.g.) clouds, fog (b) antonym = evaporation (c) “2” special types of condensation: dew and frost (d) dew point = temperature at which condensation occurs
64. (3/5-6 Pg 93) SCAT – animal droppings or feces (a) Scatology is the study of animal diet through the examination of scat
65. (1/6 Pg 94) WATER CYCLE – “recycling” of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, percolation, accumulation, transpiration and perspiration (a) the “SUN” is the source of energy that drives the water cycle (b) synonym = hydrologic cycle
66. (5-6 Pg 94) TRANSPIRATION – the process by which water evaporates from plant tissue from openings on the underside of the leaf called stomata (singular = stoma) (a) (mnemonic device) TRee / TRanspiration
67. (6 Pg 94) PERSPIRATION – the process by which water [H2O] evaporates from animal tissue (a) also known as “sweat” (b) mnemonic device = PERSon / PERSpiration (c) used to regulate body temperature (homeostasis) (d) 3,000,000 sweat glands are the openings in animal tissue that release water into the atmosphere
68. (2/6 Pg 94) WATERSHED – a region or area drained by a stream or river
69. (2/6 Pg 94) PERCOLATION – the filtering and cleaning of water as it seeps through soil and rocks into the ground
70. (1/2/4/6 Pg 94) ACCUMULATION – a water cycle term referring to the “collection of water into larger bodies of water such as rivers, streams, lakes and oceans 71. (6 Pg 96) CARBON DIOXIDE-OXYGEN CYCLE – the interchange of carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O) between animals and plants (a) the exchange of a waste product between plants and animals (b) cellular respiration the process heterotrophs (consumers) use to convert food and oxygen [O] into carbon dioxide [CO2], water [H2O] and energy (c) Respiration Equation: C6H12O6 + 6 O2 6 H2O + 6 CO2 + energy
72. (1-6 Pg 96) ROCK – a non-living (abiotic) material composed of one or more minerals (a) “3” types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic
73. (3/4/6 Pg 96) FOSSIL – remains or impressions of plants or animal naturally preserved mostly in sedimentary rocks (a) TYPES OF FOSSILS: True Form fossils of the actual plant/animal (e.g. bones, teeth) Trace Fossil / Ichnofossil indicates animal evidence (e.g. nests, footprints, scat) Mold Fossil only the imprint of the organism remains after decomposition Cast Fossil a natural occurring “replica” of the actual organism
74. (4-6 Pg 96) PHOTOSYNTHESIS – the process producers (green plants/autotrophs) use to manufacture their own food of carbohydrates and simple sugar (glucose) from carbon dioxide [CO2], water [H2O], and sunlight (a) PHOTOSYNTHESIS Chemical Equation: 6 H2O + 6 CO2 + energy from sun C6H12O6 + 6 O2 (b) cellular respiration : the process consumers (heterotrophs) use to convert food and oxygen into carbon dioxide [CO2], water [H2O] and energy for plants and animals (c) CELLULAR RESPIRATION Chemical Equation: C6H12O6 + 6 O2 6 H2O + 6 CO2 + energy
75. (6 Pg 96) CHLOROPHYLL – the green chemical in plants which is essential for food manufacturing through photosynthesis for all producers (autotrophs) (a) also gives producers their “green” coloring (b) it is found in specialized plant cells called the chloroplasts (c) it is the “catalyst” so photosynthesis can take place in producers (d) chemical formula: [C55 H72 O5 N4 Mg] 76. (1-6 Pg 96) OXYGEN [O] – is a colorless, odorless, gaseous element found in our atmosphere (a) 21% of the gas making up our air is oxygen [O] (b) O2 allows aerobic (oxygenated environment) organisms to efficiently convert food into energy (through cellular respiration) (c) O2 is a chemical agent of weathering
77. (6 Pg 96) SOIL CYCLE – the process by which nutrients contained in organic (biotic) layers of soil are decomposed and recycled as weathering and erosion create rock particles (a) this cycle promotes the growth of living things
78. (6 Pg 96) SLOPE EFFECT – the environmental effect caused by the orientation (position) of the sun upon different slopes and different amounts of precipitation (due to windward and leeward side of the mountain)
79. (6 Pg 103) SNAG – a standing dead tree from which the leaves and most of the branches have fallen used by some animals as habitats and other as perches to spot prey (a) antonym = a log
80. (6 Pg 103) GALL – a growth on plants caused by insects or parasitic fungi (a) drawing:
81. (3/4-6 Pg 103) MAMMAL – a warm-blooded vertebrate, vertebrate with lungs and hair/fur where the female nurses the young (a) (e.g.) humans, bears, wolves, whales, etc…
82. (6 Pg 103) WARM-BLOODED – an animal having an internal body temperature that remains relatively constant, independent of, and usually higher than that of the surroundings (a) antonym = cold-blooded (ectothermic) (b) synonym = endothermic maintaining a constant internal body temperature (c) (e.g.) mammals and birds 83. (6 Pg 103) VERTEBRATE – a higher, more complex form of animal having a backbone (a) antonym = invertebrate (b) (e.g.) fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, etc…
84. (2/6 Pg 103) SEEDLING – a young tree grown from the seed to the sapling stage (a) approximately 4½ feet or less
85. (6 Pg 103) SAPLING – a young tree between the seedling and adult stages of development (a) approximately 5 feet or taller and greater than 4 inches in diameter
86. (6 Pg 103) STAMEN – the male (pollen-bearing) part of a flower (a) composed of filament, anther and pollen (b) composition drawing:
87. (6 Pg 103) PISTIL – the female (seed-bearing) part of a flowering plant (a) composed of stigma, style and ovary (b) composition drawing: