A weak spot in the crust where magma has come to the surface
volcano
A tide that occurs when the difference between high and low tide is the least; the lowest level of high tide. These tides occur during the first and third quarter phases of the moon.
neap tide
The theory that pieces of Earth's lithosphere are in constant motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle.
plate tectonics
A chart that shows all the possible combinations of alleles that can result from a genetic cross
punnett square
a type of rock that forms when particles from other rocks or the remains of plants and animals are pressed and cemented together
sedimentary
A factor that can change in an experiment
variable
Form of heat transfer where heat energy is directly transferred between molecules through molecular collisions or direct contact.
conduction
An organism that has two identical alleles for a trait
homozygous
Igneous or sedimentary rock that has been changed into a new kind of rock as a result of great pressure and temperature.
Metamorphic
An organism that breaks down wastes and dead organisms
decomposers
a type of rock that forms when particles from other rocks or the remains of plants and animals are pressed and cemented together
solution
an interconnection of electrical elements forming a complete path
circut
A change in matter that produces one or more new substances
chemical change
A characteristic that improves an individual's ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment.
adaption
Low areas of earth that are filled with water
ocean basin
A subatomic particle that has a positive charge and that is found in the nucleus of an atom
proton
A combination of two or more substances that are not chemically combined
mixture
The transfer of heat by the movement of a fluid
convection
An allele that is masked when a dominant allele is present
recessive
An organism that has two different alleles for a trait
heterozygous
A measure of the amount of matter in an object
mass
A reproductive process that involves only one parent and produces offspring that are identical to the parent.
asexual reproduction
A subatomic particle that has no charge and that is found in the nucleus of an atom
neutron
A subatomic particle that has a negative charge
electron
(physics) the tendency of a body to maintain is state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force
inertia
Energy in motion
kinetic energy
Processes by which rock, sand, and soil are broken down and carried away (i.e. weathering, glaciation)
erosion
Earth's outermost layer.
crust
A series of steps followed to solve problems including collecting data, formulating a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, and stating conclusions.
scientific method
A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait
gene
Cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms
meiosis
a type of rock that forms when particles from other rocks or the remains of plants and animals are pressed and cemented together
sedimentary rock
A process of nuclear division in eukaryotic cells conventionally divided into five stages: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. It conserves chromosome number by equally allocating replicated chromosomes to each
mitosis
A characteristic in which an allele that expresses its phenotype even in the presence of a recessive allele
dominant
The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.
independent variable
The measurable effect, outcome, or response in which the research is interested.
dependent variable
The process that breaks down rock through chemical changes
chemical weathering
A trace of an ancient organism that has been preserved in rock.
Fossil
The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a surface through which it cannot pass.
reflection
an environmental factor not associated with the activities of living organisms
abiotic
a type of rock that forms from the cooling of molten rock at or below the surface
Igneous Rock
Center of the atom
nucleus
Energy that is stored and held in readiness
potential energy
The distance between crests of waves.
wavelength
the number of cycles or waves per minute
frequency
Energy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves or particles.
radiation
a particle, object, or system that lacks a net charge
neutral
rate of change in velocity, usually expressed in meters per second; involves an increase or decrease in speed and/or a change in direction
acceleration
A diagram that shows the amount of energy that moves from one feeding level to another in a food web
energy pyramid
the emission and propagation if the entire range of the electromagnetic spectrum
electromagnetic radiation
The continuous process by which water moves from Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back
water cycle
Conversion of light energy from the sun into chemical energy.
photosynthesis
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment
ecosystem
a principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can be altered from one form to another.
conservation of energy
An imaginary line that passes through Earth's center and the North and South poles, about which Earth rotates
axis
The diversity of life forms in an environment.
biodiversity
For a wave or vibration, the maximum displacement on either side of the equilibrium (midpoint) position.
amplitude
A group of stars that form a pattern in the sky
constellation
the physical change of matter from one state to another
change of state
Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient remains of plants and animals.
fossil fuels
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