Glossary

How to Use This Glossary

This Glossary provides the definitions of the key terms that are shown
in boldface type in the textbook (instructional boldfaced words such as
“observe,” and “gather,” used in 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. The pronunciations of
terms that are difficult to say appear in square brackets after the terms.
Use the following pronunciation key to read them:

a = mask, back ih = ice, life uh = Sun, caption

ae = same, day i = simple, this uhr = insert, turn
air = stare, where o = stop, thought yoo = cute, human
e = met, less oh = home, loan
ee = leaf, clean oo = food, boot

aesthetics [e-STHE-tiks] a branch balance refers to the condition of

A
of philosophy that studies the prin- a stable structure, in which external
abiotic [AE-bih-o-tik] a term ciples of beauty; the properties of and internal forces are balanced
applied to non-living things in the an object that make it pleasing to bar graph a diagram consisting of
environment; for example, air, the senses (284) horizontal or vertical bars that
water, and soil are abiotic (38) aftershocks smaller ground represent (often numerical) data
abrasion the wearing down of movements caused by seismic baseline data information gath-
rocks by wind, ice, waves, and waves moving outward from an ered by scientists to be used as a
running water (377) earthquake’s focus (396) starting point to compare changes
acid rain rain that contains higher anther the tip of a stamen (male in the environment (74)
than normal levels of acid; caused reproductive organ of a plant) (122) bedrock unweathered rock beneath
by waste gases released into the anticline an upfold of rock layers the soil (396)
atmosphere by industries and
automobiles; damaging to the area the amount of surface; mea- bending force a combination of
environment (52) sured in square units such as cm2 push (compression) and pull
asexual (vegetative) reproduction (tension) forces that results in a
active of a volcano, the stage when temporary curving change in the
materials such as lava, smoke, a type of reproduction that occurs
when a “parent” plant grows shape of some structures (308)
and ash are released into the
environment new plants from its roots, stems, bioacculumation movement of
or leaves (118) pollutants through levels of a food
active solar heating a type of chain so that greater quantities are
heating that uses mechanical ash-and-cinder cone the smallest
of the three main types of volca- retained with movement up the
devices like fans to distribute food chain (54, 170)
stored thermal energy noes, having steep sides formed by
layers of ash and rock biological community
adapted well-suited (10) see community
atmosphere the air surrounding
adaptation an inherited character- the earth biological control a method of
istic that helps an organism survive controlling insect pests using their
in its environment (10) natural enemies (61, 173)
B
adhesive a sticky substance, such biological evidence the type of
as glue or epoxy cement, that is balance a device to measure mass;
many balances work by using the evidence obtained from living or
used to hold objects or materials non-living organisms
together (292) force of gravity (299)

486 MHR • Glossary

biological population circle graph a circle divided into
C
see population sections (like pieces of a pie) to
biological weathering the break- cantilever a horizontal board or represent data; also called a
up or disintegration of rocks other span supported at one end pie chart
through the physical or chemical only, by a very strong column classification (or biological key)
effects of living organisms (374) (e.g., a diving board) a list of alternatives (e.g., backbone
biomass the total mass of living capacity the largest amount that or no backbone) used by scientists
matter; often expressed in terms can be held by a container (usually as an aid in identifying an unknown
of dry weight per unit area (43) measured in litres or millilitres) plant or animal

biome a region of land that con- capacity unit unit used to measure clear-cut removing all of the trees
tains certain kinds of organisms, the volume of liquids; an example from a particular area
particularly plants; determined by is the litre (L) cleavage of a mineral, the charac-
climate; examples are desert, grass- carbon cycle the cycle in which teristic of splitting along smooth,
land, and forest carbon is used and reused through flat planes (357)
biosphere the thin area around the ecosystem (49) cogeneration [coh-jen-uhr-AE-
Earth that can sustain life; made up carbonaceous film [car-bon-AE- shuhn] a method of energy
of the atmosphere, the hydros- shuhss] a type of fossil found in conservation by which waste heat
phere, and the lithosphere sedimentary rock when organic or energy from one industry is used
biotic [bih-O-tik] a term applied material is compressed, leaving a by another industry (247)
to living things in the environment, thin carbon film (418) cold-blooded of an organism,
such as humans, plants, birds, carnivore an animal that eats having a body temperature that
animals, and insects (38) other animals; examples are lynx, varies with the temperature of
bitumen a heavy, almost solid wolf, hawk its environment
form of petroleum: some bitumen cast a type of fossil in which commensalism a symbiotic rela-
deposits are found near the surface sediments or minerals have filled a tionship between two different
of Earth and can be mined or heated mould and hardened into rock (420) types of organisms in which one
and pumped to the surface (428) partner benefits and the other
Celsius (C) scale the most
boiling rapid vaporization occur- neither benefits nor loses (15)
common scale for measuring tem-
ring at a specific temperature called perature; on the Celsius scale, community an association of
the boiling point water at sea level boils at 100° and different populations of organisms
boiling point the temperature at freezes below 0° (194) in a particular environment or
which a liquid begins to boil and geographic area
cementation a process by which
change into a gas or a vapour particles are held together by compaction the process by which
brace a device used to add strength another material (365) sedimentary rock is formed from
to a structure, usually by forming sediment, through the weight and
Cenozoic Era [sen-oh-ZOH-ik
a rigid triangle at the point where pressure of water and other sediment
E-ruh] the fourth and current era
pieces come together at a right angle on the geologic time scale; the era complex mountains mountains
bromthymol blue [BROM-thih-mol] in which humans evolved (425) that are formed by the combined
a chemical indicator that changes processes of folding and faulting
centre of gravity the point at
colour (from blue to green to (414)
which all of the gravitational force
yellow) when carbon dioxide of an object may be considered composite of materials, made up
is present to act (332) of several different materials, with
buckle of a material, to fold under different properties, to fulfil a
chemical control the use of herbi-
a compressive force (316) specific purpose (286)
cides, insecticides, and fungicides
buttress a slanted brace that to control weeds, insects, and fungi compost the part of soil composed
supports part of a structure, trans- of dead plant matter (371)
chemical weathering the break-up
ferring its thrust line to the ground or disintegration of rocks through compression force a force that
along an angle the effects of chemical reactions compacts or squeezes a material
upon them (374) (307)
chlorophyll a pigment in plants
that makes leaves green (110)

Glossary • MHR 487

compressive strength a measure convection a process by which a
D
of the largest compression force warm fluid moves from place to
that a material can withstand place carrying thermal energy (230) data facts or information
before changing shape or convection current a flow database an organized or sorted
breaking apart (307) resulting from the rising of warm list of facts or information, usually
concept map a diagram comprising materials and the sinking of generated by computer
words or phrases in circles or boxes cooler denser materials (392)
dead load the weight of a structure
and connecting lines; used to show converging plates two or more upon itself (306)
various relationships among con- plates colliding (390)
cepts; can also contain references decomposers organisms that break
to events, objects, laws, themes, convergent boundary an area on down the cells of dead or waste
classroom activities, or other items Earth’s crust where two plates are materials and absorb their nutri-
or patterns related to the concepts pushing against each other ents; many bacteria and fungi are
co-ordinate graph a grid that has decomposers (45)
condense change from a gas or
vapour into a liquid (220) data points named as ordered pairs deformation the change in a struc-
of numbers; for example (4, 3) ture when a force is acting on it;
condensation the process of
core the innermost part of Earth; deformation is an indicator that the
changing from a gas or vapour to
made of iron and nickel in solid materials are stressed (305)
a liquid; clouds, fog, and dew are
examples of condensation (51) and liquid form desalination [dee-sal-i-NAE-shuhn]
criteria a set of standards or expec- a process for removing the salt
condensation point the tempera-
tations; specifications for a design from salt water
ture at which a gas or vapour
begins to change into a liquid; crop rotation a practice whereby desertification [de-zuhrt-i-fi-KAE-
the condensation point of a gas crops are rotated annually through shuhn] the process in which
is the same temperature as the various fields, so that each crop deserts are formed through the
boiling point of the material in is grown in a different field and erosion of nutrient-rich topsoil;
its liquid state pests have little opportunity to after desertification the soil is no
establish themselves longer able to support plant life
conifers types of softwood (e.g.,
hemlock and fir) which have cross pollination a process whereby design the shape and size of a
needles and cones the eggs of one plant are fertilized structure and the materials of
by sperm from another plant of the which is it composed (272)
conservation of energy the law
stating that the amount of energy same species differentially permeable cells that
within a system always remains crust the thin, outermost layer allow some materials to pass
the same if the system is left of Earth (354) through (e.g., water and nutrients)
undisturbed while keeping others out (107)
crystal the building block of min-
consumers organisms that eat erals; crystals occur naturally and diffusion tendency of particles in
the food made by producers; can have straight edges, flat sides, and gas or liquid to become evenly
be either herbivores, carnivores, regular angles (355) distributed by moving from areas
or omnivores (40) of greater concentration to areas
cubic units the units used to of lesser concentration (107)
continental drift a theory about report the volume of a substance;
Earth’s structure; according to for example, cm3 dilute to weaken the strength of a
this theory, the continents have solution by increasing the amount
cuttings a process used in plant of solvent
slowly changed their positions reproduction whereby small
over time; the slow movement of sections of leaf and stem are cut dilute solution a solution that
continents (384) from a parent plant and grow into contains relatively little solute
contract of substances, to shrink new plants dispersal the transport of seeds
or decrease in volume (210) cycle concept map an events chain away from the parent plant
control in a scientific experiment, map in which a series of events dissolving mixing a solute com-
a standard to which the results are does not produce a final outcome; pletely with a solvent to form a
compared; often necessary in order this type of concept map has no solution; the distinct properties of
to draw a valid conclusion; ensures beginning and no end each of the materials combine into
a fair test one set of properties
controlled variable in an experi-
ment, a condition that is not
allowed to change

488 MHR • Glossary

distillation a process for separating energy flow the movement of
F
the parts of a liquid solution; the energy, which originally comes
solvent is heated to change it into a from the Sun, from one organism fair test an investigation (experi-
gas, then converted back to a liquid to another (42) ment) carried out under strictly
state through condensation energy source an object or mater- controlled conditions to ensure
divergent boundary an area of ial that can transfer energy to other accuracy and reliability of results.
Earth’s crust where two plates are objects (226) In a fair test, all variables are
pulling apart from each other controlled except the one variable
Environmental Impact Assessment under investigation.
diverging plates two or more plates (EIA) a report that outlines
moving away from each other (390) how an activity will affect the fault a fracture in the bedrock
environment (74) along which rock have moved (403)
diversity a measure of how many
different species live in an ecosys- eon the largest division of time on fault block mountain mountains
tem; an ecosystem with many the geological scale (425) formed by the process of thrust
species has greater diversity than faulting (413)
epicentre [E-pi-sen-tuhr] the area
an ecosystem with only a few species on the surface of Earth that is feedback information that is
dormant of a volcano, a stage directly above the focus, or source, gained from outside a particular
when no eruption is occurring (406) of an earthquake system and returned to it for the
purposes of modifying a behaviour
era one of the four longest subdivi- or a process
E sions in the history of Earth (425)
fertile of soil, containing the nutri-
ecological footprint a calculation erosion movement of rock and ents needed for plant growth (371)
of the total area of land and water mineral grains from one place
needed to supply all of the materials to another (373) fibres thread-like materials that
and energy a human uses, as well as make up plant and animal tissue,
ethanol a type of liquid fuel made and some manufactured materials
absorb the waste produced (30) from a process in which micro-
ecologist [ee-KOL-oh-jist] a sci- organisms convert the sugar in fibre the tissue of plants from the
entist who studies interactions plants such as sugar cane, corn, and stem, leaves, seeds, or roots
between the abiotic and biotic parts grain, into fuel that can be burned fibre roots a shallow system of
of the environment (6) evaporation the process by which similar-sized roots than can quickly
ecology the study of how organ- a liquid, such as water, changes soak up moisture
isms interact with each other and into a gas or a vapour (51, 220) filament the stalk of a stamen (male
their environment (6) evaporative cooling a process in reproductive organ of a plant) (122)
ecosystem all the interacting parts which the faster-moving particles fixed-continent model a theory
of a biological community and its on the surface of a liquid evaporate about Earth’s structure; according
environment (13) and escape into the air; the slower- to this theory, the continents and
ecosystem (environmental) moving particles, which are left the oceans have always occupied
monitoring a method of check- behind, have lower kinetic energy, the same positions
ing the condition of an ecosystem decreasing the temperature of the
fluids materials that lack a definite
by comparing investigation results remaining liquid and the surface
shape and can flow from one place
done at different times (68) on which it is resting
to another (230)
electromagnetic radiation (EMR) events chain map a concept map
food chain a sequence of feeding
energy that is transferred in the used to describe a sequence of
relationships among living
form of electromagnetic waves; events, the steps in a procedure,
organisms, as they pass on food
examples of EMR include radio or the stages of a process
energy (42)
waves, X-rays, and microwaves (226) expand of substances, to increase
food web the network of feeding
element a type of pure substance in volume (210)
relationships among organisms (43)
(made of one type of particle or external force stresses that act on
footing a base for a wall in the
atom) that cannot be broken down a structure from outside (305)
foundation of a structure; a footing
into simpler parts by chemical extinct of a species, no longer is wider than the wall to spread the
means and that has a unique set existing (64) weight over a larger area (337)
of properties (354)
extrusive rock the type of igneous force a push or pull, or anything
embryo a tiny living plant inside rock formed when magma (lava) that causes a change in the motion
a seed (125) cools and solidifies above Earth’s of an object (270, 299)
energy the ability to do work crust (361)
and to cause change (chemical
or physical)

Glossary • MHR 489

force diagram a drawing that
G H
uses arrows to represent the direc-
tion and strength of one or more gas one of the phases or states habitat the location where an
forces (304) of matter; a gas has no particular organism lives (8)
force meter a scientific device shape or size and can be com- half-life the amount of time that a
used to measure force; also called pressed; a gas is sometimes known given amount of radioactive sub-
a spring scale (300) as a vapour stance takes to be reduced by
fossil any trace or remains of once- genes the parts of a cell that con- one-half (424)
living organisms trol the organism’s characteristics hardiness a plant’s ability to
fossil fuels solid, liquid, or gas genus a group of related species withstand certain environmental
hydrocarbons formed from the soft geothermal energy energy gener- conditions
parts of plants and animals over ated in the interior of Earth (240) hard water water that contains
millions of years and/or trapped a high proportion of dissolved
germination the development of
inside the Earth during the planet’s materials
a seed into a new plant (128)
formation (426)
global warming the gradual heat thermal energy transferred
foundation the solid base of from one object or substance to
increase in the temperature of
a structure another because of a temperature
Earth’s atmosphere; some scientists
fractional distillation a process in think that global warming results difference
which a solution is vaporized and from a surplus of greenhouse gases heat capacity the thermal energy
condensed into several different in the environment and that it needed to raise the temperature of
products; for example, petroleum may have harmful effects on life 1 kg of a substance, such as water,
is vaporized and condensed to on Earth by 1°C
produce gasoline, diesel fuel, and
Gondwanaland the southern part heat insulators materials that slow
kerosene
of the supercontinent Pangaea, the transfer or conduction of ther-
fracture the property of some which split off approximately 200 mal energy from one object to
minerals to break with rough or million years ago (425) another; examples of heat insula-
jagged surfaces (357) tors include fibreglass and
grafting a process used in plant
frame structure a type of struc- reproduction whereby a branch is Styrofoam™ cups (229)
ture in which a skeleton of taken from one tree and attached herbivore an animal that eats only
materials supports the weight of to another tree plant material; examples are grass-
the other parts (274) hopper, beaver, and moose (40)
graphic organizer a visual learn-
freeze change from a liquid to a ing tool that helps clarify the heterogeneous [het-uhr-oh-JEEN-
solid (220) relationship between a central con- ee-uhs] of a mixture, made up of
freezing point see melting point cept and related ideas or terms parts that retain their own proper-
gravitational force the force ties, even if these properties are
friction a force that resists, or not visible to the unaided eye
works against the movement of two exerted by gravity on an object;
surfaces rubbing together (326) measured in newtons (N); the histogram a type of bar graph in
preferred scientific term for the which each bar represents a range
frost wedging a process of everyday term “weight” (300) of values and in which the data
mechanical weathering that occurs are continuous
when water goes through a cycle greenhouse gases gases, such as
of freezing and thawing; the water carbon dioxide, that result from homogeneous [hoh-moh-JEEN-ee-
expands and contracts in the cracks the burning of fossil fuels or wood; uhs] of materials, having only one
of a rock, eventually breaking the greenhouse gases prevent heat set of properties
rock apart (373) from leaving the atmosphere, horizons the layers in a cross
increasing the temperature of section of soil (150)
fruit the growing ovary of a plant the atmosphere (245)
that swells and protects the devel- host the organism that a parasite
oping seeds until they are ripe ground water the water contained lives and feeds on (14)
in the lithosphere or Earth’s
fulcrum the part of a lever that crust (51) hot spot an area under Earth’s
does not move (315) crust where the temperature is
gyroscope [JIH-roh-skohp] a cir- much hotter than normal, forcing
function of a structure or object, cular device with a heavy outer rim
its main purpose (270) magma toward the surface
that spins at a very fast rate, stabi-
lizing the axis so that the axis always
points in the same direction (340)

490 MHR • Glossary

humus [HYOO-muhs] the dark- lever a device used to change the
J
coloured part of soil that is rich amount of force needed to move
in nutrients, such as nitrogen, joint a fastening that holds parts an object (315)
phosphorus, potassium, and of structures together. Joints can line graph a diagram that shows
sulphur (150, 371) allow movement (mobile joint) or how one value depends on or
hydroponics a technique for prevent movement (rigid joint) changes according to another
growing plants without soil joule (J) the standard SI unit for value; produced by drawing a line
hydrosphere all water found on measuring energy that connects data points plotted in
the Earth including lakes, oceans, relation to a y-axis (vertical axis)
rivers and ground water K and an x-axis (horizontal axis)
liquefaction [lik-we-FAK-shuhn]
Kelvin scale a scale used for mea-
I the process of changing solid
suring temperatures in scientific
material into a liquid-like
igneous rock [IG-nee-uhs] the experiments; on the Kelvin scale,
substance, such as quicksand
type of rock that is formed by pure water freezes at 273 K and
the solidification of hot magma; boils at 373 K; the coldest possible liquid one of the states or phases
it is defined as either intrusive temperature (also known as of matter; in the liquid state, a
or extrusive (361) absolute zero) is 0 K (195) material has a specific size or
volume but not a specific shape
incremental change small changes kilogram the primary measure-
that happen gradually over many ment of mass in SI, equal to 1000 g; lithosphere a hard outer layer of
thousands of years 1 kg is the primary standard for the Earth consisting of the crust
mass (298) and upper level of the mantle
index fossil a type of fossil that can
be used to determine the age of the kinetic energy [kin-E-tic] energy live load the force or forces that
material in which it is found (423) that is released or transferred act in or on a structure but are
by the motion of an object or not part of the structure; examples
indicator species plant or animal its particles of a live load include the wind,
species that help to indicate the weight of people, and a
environmental change (69) kingdom one of five main group-
collision (306)
ings for classifying living things
individual a single organism on Earth; the five kingdoms are: load the weight carried or supported
infrared radiation (or heat radia- animal, plant, fungus, protist, by a structure (270)
tion) a type of electromagnetic and monera loam a type of soil that is good for
radiation that has a wavelength just plant growth; made up of sand, silt,
greater than the red end of the L and clay
visible light spectrum
lamination a process in which a lubricants substances that can be
input the materials or forms of made from plants to oil machinery
layer of material is pressed or glued
energy that are used by a system to parts to avoid heat buildup
onto other layers (286)
do work or to produce new materi- from friction
als (output) landfill site an area where garbage
is deposited and eventually buried lustre the light-reflecting properties,
insoluble of a substance, meaning or “shininess,” of minerals (356)
not able to be dissolved in a Laurasia the northern part of the
particular solvent supercontinent Pangaea, which
split off approximately 200 million M
internal force a force that acts on
years ago (425) magma melted rock, formed under
an object from the inside (305)
lava the term used for magma when Earth’s crust by high temperature
introduced species species which and pressure; magma occasionally
it breaks through Earth’s crust, as
are introduced into an environ- escapes to Earth’s surface as
in a volcanic eruption (361)
ment where they are not naturally lava (361)
found (62) law in science, a statement of a
pattern, action, or condition that magnetometer [mag-net-O-met-uhr]
intrusive rock the type of igneous a device that detects the direction
has been observed so consistently
rock formed when magma cools and and strength of a magnetic field
that scientists are convinced it will
solidifies below Earth’s crust (361)
always happen manipulated variable in an
irrigate the use of a system of large experiment, a condition that is
layering a process used in plant
pipes and sprinklers to water crops selected or adjusted to see what
reproduction whereby plants
reproduce from stems effect the change will have on the
responding variable
leaching the process by which
materials from soil are dissolved
and carried away by water (372)

Glossary • MHR 491

mantle the middle layer of Earth, metamorphic rock a type of rock mutualism [MYOO-choo-al-is-uhm]
located between the crust and the made when high pressure and heat a symbiotic relationship between
core, and made of rock act on another type of rock and two different types of organisms
manufactured structure an object change it into a new form (366) that is beneficial to both
or a structure that is made by meteorological evidence the type organisms (14)
humans (271) of evidence that is obtained by
studying climate change N
margin of safety the need for
something built or manufactured to methanol a type of liquid fuel natural resources the materials
perform as expected for a long time, that is made from wood by a and products found in nature (18)
so that people’s safety and health are similar process to the one used natural structure an object or
not at risk. In a structure, a margin in producing ethanol structure not made by people (270)
of safety would ensure that the metric system a system of mea-
structure has extra strength to sup- network tree a concept map in
surement based on multiples of ten which some terms are circles
port more load than normal (285) and in which the basic unit of while other terms are written on
mass the amount of matter in a length is the metre connecting lines
substance; often measured with micro-organisms organisms that
a balance (298) newton (N) the standard unit of
are too small to be seen by the force in the Système international
mass structure a structure, natural human eye without the aid of d’ unitès (SI) (299)
or manufactured, that is made by a microscope
the piling up of materials; examples niche [NEESH] the role or char-
mineral an inorganic, naturally acteristic activity that is undertaken
of a mass structure include a occurring solid material; minerals
pyramid and a snow fort (272) by an organism in an ecosystem;
can be either elements (pure sub- one organism may fill several
matter anything that takes up stances) or compounds (two or different niches (40)
space, has mass, and is made up more substances combined) (354)
of particles non-renewable resources
mixture a material made up of sev- resources that take millions of
mechanical energy the energy in eral different types of materials; in years to form
a moving object or in moving parts a mixture, each material retains its
of an object own properties non-target organisms organisms
that are affected negatively by
mechanical mixture a substance mobile joint a joint that is chemical controls
made of more than one kind of designed to allow movement;
material, in which the different examples of a mobile joint include normal fault a type of fault in
materials can be easily identified a door hinge and an elbow (290) which rock above the fault moves
downward
mechanical weathering of rocks, model a verbal, mathematical, or
the break-up or disintegration by visual representation of a scientific nuclear energy the energy
the actions of physical forces such structure or process, which allows released when the smallest particles
as wind, water, and gravity (373) scientists to construct and test (called atoms) of a substance break
inferences and theories (e.g., the apart or fuse together; also known
melt to change from a solid to a as atomic energy
liquid (220) particle theory of matter)

melting point (or freezing point) Mohs hardness scale in geology, O

the temperature at which solid a scale that compares the hardness
matter begins to change to liquid of ten minerals; talc has a hardness omnivore an animal that eats other
value of 1 (the softest) and dia- animals and plant material; exam-
Mesozoic Era [mes-oh-ZOH-ik mond has a hardness value of 10 ples are bear, raccoon, people (40)
E-ruh] the third era on the geo- (the hardest) (355)
logic time scale; the era in which organic sedimentary rock that
dinosaurs were the dominant life monoculture the limiting of a is largely made up of once-living
form on Earth (425) crop to one particular type in an matter; limestone is an example
area in order to use energy and (172)
metal fatigue a weakening of equipment efficiently
metal due to stress, resulting in an organic food food that is grown
accumulation of small cracks (318) mould a type of fossil in which without the use of chemical fertil-
the hard parts of the organism izers and chemical pesticides
metallic ores rocks that contain have dissolved, leaving a cavity in
a high proportion of metals and organic sedimentary rock
the rock (420) sedimentary rock made from
metal oxides
mountain a large, naturally occur- remains of plant and animals (365)
ring formation of Earth’s surface organism any type of living creature
that rises sharply above the sur-
rounding area

492 MHR • Glossary

original remains a type of fossil passive solar heating a type of plate tectonics a theory about
in which all or part of the original heating that uses materials in a Earth’s structure; according to this
organism has been preserved (419) structure to absorb, store, and theory, Earth’s crust is made up of
osmosis the diffusion of water release solar energy (241) very large pieces, called plates, that
through a differentially permeable period on the geologic time scale, are always moving very slowly on
membrane (107) a subdivision of an era (425) Earth’s mantle (390)

output the final materials and permanent plots study areas (74) plateau on a graph, a flat, horizontal
energy forms that a system pro- region where data remain constant
permeate of water, to drain
duces by applying energy to raw through soil pollen grains the tiny particles of
materials (input) pollen containing sperm
pesticide a substance used to con-
ovary a tiny chamber containing trol insects or other organisms that pollination process by which pollen,
the plant’s ovules (122) are harmful to plants or animals containing sperm, travels to the
ovule eggs produced by the female cone (120)
petals brightly coloured parts of
female species (120) a flower that help to attract bees to pollutants substances that cause
its nectar (122) pollution (52)
P pollution a collective term for the
petrified a rock-like substance
Paleozoic Era [pae-lee-oh-ZOH-ik formed when water penetrated different types of harmful materials
E-ruh] the second era on the dead organic matter, and deposits that are released into the environ-
geologic time scale; the era in dissolved mineral matter (418) ment through human activities (52)
which the first plants and animals population a group of organisms
petrochemical a product that
appeared (425) of the same species found in a
is produced from petroleum;
Pangaea [pan-JEE-uh] the name there are over 500 000 different particular geographic area
of the second supercontinent petrochemicals potential energy stored energy
thought to have existed approxi-
petroleum naturally occurring Precambrian Era the first of the
mately 350 million years ago;
mixture of hydrocarbons such as four eras on the geologic time
Pangaea included all the present
bitumen, coal, oil and gas (423) scale (425)
continents (425)
pH a symbol used to express acid precipitation the water (in its liquid
parasite an organism that lives on
or alkaline content (52) or solid state) that falls to Earth;
or in another organism (the host)
phases of matter the different rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc. (51)
and feeds on it (14)
forms (solid, liquid, or gas) that predator an organism that catches
parasitism a symbiotic relationship
matter can take; also known as and eats other organisms of a
between two different types of
states of matter different species (40)
organisms in which one of the
partners is harmed and the photosynthesis [foh-toh-SIN-the- prey an organism that is caught
other benefits (14) sis] the process by which plants and eaten by another organism of
make their own food using a different species (40)
parent material the mineral (non-
sunlight (110) primary succession the gradual
organic) matter (rock, soil, clay)
from which the soil developed (150) phytoplankton [fih-toh-PLANK-ton] growth of organisms in an area that
plankton that use photosynthesis to was previously bare (57)
parent rock the original rock that
make their own food primary standard the name given
was acted on by high pressure
and heat to form a metamorphic piling a large, cylindrical struc- to a small cylinder of metal on
rock (366) ture used to carry the weight of which the kilogram (kg) is based;
a structure to a solid foundation equivalent to 1 kg (298)
particle size of soil, the average
material (337) primary (P) waves the fastest
size of the particles of various
materials of which the soil is made pistil female part of a flower (122) moving of the three types of seis-
plankton the general name for mic waves that are produced by an
particle model of matter a scien-
microscopic plants, algae, and earthquake, originating from its
tific model of the structure of
other organisms that float in focus; can pass through solids,
matter; according to the particle
oceans and other bodies of water liquids, and gases (398)
theory, all matter is made up of
extremely tiny particles, and each plate one of the large sections into principle of superposition a geo-
pure substance has its own kind of which Earth’s crust is divided (390) logical theory; according to this
particle, different from the particles theory, in undisturbed layers of
of other pure substances (203) rock, the oldest layers will be on
the bottom and the youngest layers
will be on the top (423)

Glossary • MHR 493

producers plants that use energy radiocarbon dating a method used Richter scale [RIK-tuhr] a scale on
from the Sun to make nutrients to determine the age of organic which the magnitude, or strength,
they need to survive; includes some remains by measuring the relative of an earthquake is measured (396)
bacteria that transfer energy from amount of radioactive carbon rigid joint a device designed to
particles (40) found in the remains (424) fix an object into place; a joint that
properties the characteristics of radiometric dating the process allows no movement; examples
materials; every material has its of determining the age of a of a rigid joint include a nail and
own unique set of properties; geological specimen by measuring a screw (290)
examples of properties include the relative amounts of radioactive Ring of Fire an area of volcanoes
colour, odour, and density (286) particles that are present in the around the Pacific Ocean (410)
protozoa [proh-toh-ZOH-uh] specimen (424)
rock a natural material composed
one-celled, animal-like organisms rate of dissolving the speed at of one or more minerals (354)
that live in or on other organisms which a solute dissolves in a solvent
rock cycle the naturally occurring
pure substance a material that is recycling the process of using the process in which rocks continue
composed of only one type of par- same item over again; recycling can to change form over long periods
ticle; examples of a pure substance either use the item as it was origi- of time (368)
include gold, oxygen, and water nally used or find new uses for it,
perhaps by changing its composition Rodinia the name of the earliest
pyramid of numbers the number supercontinent thought to have
of individual organisms at each refrigerants liquids that evaporate broken apart approximately 750
level of a food chain; the number easily at low temperatures (252) million years ago; Rodinia included
of organisms decreases with each refining the processing of petro- all the large land masses (425)
level higher in the food chain leum to separate it into its parts,
(there is a greater number of root hairs tiny hairs that cover
such as asphalt or kerosene the small roots coming out of a
organisms at the bottom of the
food chain than at the top) (43) relative dating determining the tap root. They increase the plant’s
order in which geological events ability to absorb water and
occurred and the relative age nutrients (105)
Q
of rocks by their positions in run-off water that runs off the
quadrat a small square area, rock layers (423) ground into lakes, rivers, or
marked out for study (76) renewable resources energy streams (51)
qualitative data information resources that can be recycled or
gathered by observations in which replaced by natural processes in S
no measurements take place less than 100 years (245)
salinization salt that has collected
qualitative property a character- residues chemicals that have on the surface of soil (156)
istic of a substance that can be washed off plants. These remain
described but not measured in the soil and water (170) sampling in population studies, a
method used to estimate popula-
quantitative data data that consist resistant able to withstand certain tion size in ecosystems by finding
of numbers and/or units of effects; insects become resistant out the number of individuals in a
measurement; obtained through to pesticides portion (that is, the sample) of the
measurement and through respiration in the cells of living population and then calculating the
mathematical calculations things, the process in which oxygen total number for the population as
quantitative property a character- is used to get energy from food a whole
istic of a substance that can and is converted into carbon saturated solution a solution in
be measured dioxide (111) which no more of a solute is able
responder a pointer, light, or to be dissolved at a particular
R other mechanism that uses the temperature
signal in some way (199) scale a series of equally divided
radiant energy energy that is
transmitted via electromagnetic responding variable in an sections that are marked and num-
waves; radiant energy can be experiment, a condition that is bered for use in measurement (e.g.,
absorbed and reflected by objects, changed as a result of changes to centimetres, litres, or grams) (194)
and it moves through empty space manipulated variable scavenger an organism that eats
at 300 000 km/s (226) reverse fault a type of fault in dead or decaying plant or animal
radiation the transfer of energy which rock below the fault is matter; a carrion beetle is an exam-
in the form of electromagnetic forced upward over rock below ple of a scavenger (44)
waves (226) the fault (403)

494 MHR • Glossary

science a body of facts or knowl- selective breeding a process that (mountains) and valleys between
edge about the natural world, involves choosing specific plants the wrinkles (oceans and lakes)
but also a way of thinking and with particular characteristics SI (from the French Le Système
asking questions about nature and encouraging these plants international d’unités) the interna-
and the universe to reproduce (115) tional system of measurement
science inquiry the orderly selective harvest removing specific units, including such terms as kilo-
process of asking concise and well- trees from a specific area gram, metre, and second
focussed questions and designing sensor a material that is affected by signal information about tempera-
experiments that will give clear change in some feature of the envi- ture, such as an electrical current
answers to those questions ronment, such as temperature (199) (199)
scientific investigation an investi- sepals enclose tightly bound petals society a group of people united
gation that involves the systematic of a bud and protect the flower by common goals and interests
application of concepts and proce- before it opens (122)
dures (e.g., experimentation and softwood a type of tree, usually
research, observation and measure- sexual reproduction a process that used in construction because it has
ment, analysis and sharing of data) involves the production of seeds and straight grain, is low in cost, and
fruits from the specialized repro- widely available
sea floor spreading the process ductive cells of two individuals (118)
in which an ocean floor slowly soft water water that contains few
increases in size over time because shadow zone an area on Earth’s dissolved minerals
of the formation of new igneous surface that is not reached by pri- soil a mixture of weathered rock,
rock along a fault (388) mary waves after an earthquake, organic matter, mineral fragments,
due to the bending of P waves as water, and air
secondary succession the gradual they pass through Earth
growth of organisms in an area that soil profile a description of the
was formerly home to many differ- shear of a section of compressed characteristics of the different
ent species; the regeneration of a material, to slide over another layers that make up a particular
burned forest is an example (57) section along a weak point (315) soil (372)
secondary (S) waves the second shear force a force that bends or solar energy energy from the
fastest moving of the three types of tears a material by pushing parts of Sun (241)
seismic waves that are produced by it in opposite directions (307)
solar collectors mechanical systems
an earthquake, originating from its shear strength measures the and devices, usually containing
focus; can pass through solids but largest shear force a material can water, or air, used in active solar
not liquids or gases (398) stand before ripping apart (307) heating systems (243)
sediment loose material such as shelterbelt a row of trees planted soldering [SO-duhr-ing] a process
bits of rock, minerals, and plant along the edge of a field to protect in which a melted material is
and animal remains (364) crops (159) applied to a different type of
sedimentary rock the most shield volcano the largest of the material; the melted material
common type of rock on Earth’s three main types of volcanoes; hardens when it cools, forming
surface; formed by the compacting formed above an area, called a hot a rigid joint that holds the other
of sediment (loose materials, spot, where the temperature under material in place (292)
such as minerals and organic the crust is much hotter than else- solid one of the states or phases of
remains) (364) where, causing lava to be forced matter; in the solid phase, materials
sedimentation the process in upward through vents keep a specific shape and size
which eroded material is deposited shell structure a type of structure solidification change from a liquid
and built up (373) that obtains its strength from a to a solid
seismic waves [SIHZ-mik] the thin, carefully shaped outer layer
of material and that requires no solubility the limit to how concen-
energy waves (either primary, sec- trated a solution can become, before
ondary, or surface) that are released internal frame; examples of a shell
structure include an igloo and it becomes a saturated solution at a
by an earthquake and travel out- particular temperature; for example,
ward from its focus (396) an egg (278)
no more than 35 to 37 g of salt will
seismograph [SIHZ-moh-graf] a shrinking apple theory a nine- dissolve in 100 g of cold (0°C) water
sensitive machine that is attached teenth-century theory about
Earth’s structure; according to this soluble of a substance, able to be
to bedrock in order to measure the dissolved in a particular solvent;
strength of earthquakes (396) theory, Earth was once a hot mass,
which cooled and shrank over time; something that is soluble is called
seismologists [sihz-MOL-oh-jists] the theory compared Earth to an a solute
scientists who study earthquakes apple that dried up, causing wrinkles

Glossary • MHR 495

solute a substance that can be stress an internal or external force symbiosis [sim-bih-OH-sis] an
dissolved in a solvent; for example, that acts on an object, perhaps interaction between organisms of
salt is a solute that dissolves causing it to move or change shape different species living in close
in water structure an object with a definite proximity to each other in a rela-
solution a homogeneous mixture size and shape, which serves a pur- tionship that lasts over time (14)
of two or more substances; the dis- pose or function. The parts of a syncline a downfold of a rock
tinct properties of the different structure have a specific arrange- layer (413)
substances that make up the solu- ment that remains the same (270) system I. a set of things that are
tion are combined into one set STS an abbreviation for the inter- organized and interact with each
of properties relationships among science, other to such an extent that they
solvent a substance into which technology, and societal issues may be described as a single unit
a solute may be dissolved; for style tube connecting the stigma II. in biology, a group of organs
example, water is a solvent that and ovary (122) that work together to perform a
dissolves sugar major function (e.g., respiratory
subduction zone a place on system, root system)
sonar (sound navigation and ranging) Earth’s crust where high pressure
a technology that bounces sound pushes one very large piece of T
waves off an object to determine rock below another; earthquakes
its distance from the source of are often formed in subduction table an orderly arrangement of
the waves (387) zones (393) facts set out for easy reference; for
species a narrow classification example, an arrangement of numer-
sublimation a change in state ical values in rows or columns
grouping for organisms; e.g., a wolf when a gas changes directly to a
is the species Canis lupus, while a solid or a solid changes directly taproot a single, prominent root
dog is the species Canis familiaris to a gas (220) with numerous small roots coming
specific heat capacity of a material, out of it (105)
succession the process by which
the energy change that is required new species gradually replace old technology the design and
to warm or cool a standard amount species in an ecosystem (56) construction of devices, processes,
of the material (1 g or 1 kg) by 1°C and materials to solve practical
summer fallow the practice of problems and to satisfy human
specifications a set of standards or cultivating land to control weeds
expectations; criteria needs and wants
but planting no crops
spider map a concept map used to temperature a relative measure
supersaturated solution a solu- of how hot or cold something is,
organize a central idea and a jumble tion that contains more solute than
of associated ideas that are not nec- measured on a scale; the average
would normally dissolve at a kinetic energy of the particles in a
essarily related to each other particular temperature substance (204)
spin stabilization the tendency of surface area the amount of surface
an object that is spinning on its axis tensile strength a measure of the
of an object; measured in square largest tension force that a material
to move in a predictable manner; units such as cm2
an example of spin stabilization is can withstand before changing
the motion of a bicycle wheel (340) surface waves the slowest moving shape or breaking apart (307)
of the three types of seismic tension force a force that pulls on a
stable of a structure, tending to waves that are produced by an
maintain its shape and position material and stretches it apart (307)
earthquake, originating from its
stamen male part of a flower (122) epicentre; surface waves do the texture of soil, how it feels to the
most damage of the three types touch; texture is affected by the
states of matter the different size of the particles in the soil
forms (solid, liquid, or gas) that of waves (398)
matter can take; also known as sustainability resources of nature theory an explanation of an event
phases of matter are being renewed at least as quickly that has been supported by consis-
as they are being used, and all tent, repeated experimental results
stigma sticky tip of a pistil (122) and has therefore been accepted by
wastes are able to be completely
strata layers of sedimentary absorbed (29) many scientists
rock (423) theory of plate tectonics theory
sustainability in the study of plants,
stratification the arrangement being able to grow food and fibre suggesting the lithosphere is
of sedimentary rock in visible while keeping our natural systems divided into plates that interact
layers (364) healthy for the long term (132) with each other (390)
streak the colour of a mineral thermal conduction the direct
in powdered form; a property transfer of thermal energy from
useful in the identification of one particle or object to another
minerals (357) through contact or collision (229)

496 MHR • Glossary

thermal energy the energy gener- tubers the swollen, underground water cycle the continuous move-
ated by the movement or vibration stems of potatoes ment of water through the
of particles; the total kinetic twist of a material, to change shape biosphere; the water cycle consists
energy of all the particles in a through the application of torsion of evaporation, transpiration, con-
substance (205) forces densation, and precipitation (51)
thermal pollution a warming of water-holding capacity the ability
the environment that results from U of a soil to retain water; soils with
human activities, such as the burn- low water-holding capacity allow a
ing of fossil fuels (247) unifying theory a single theory great deal of water to permeate
that explains many different through them
thermogenic [THUR-moh-jen-ik] natural phenomena, events, objects,
of plants or animals, able to raise or processes weathering the process in which
their own temperature rocks are broken down and sedi-
unsaturated solution a solution in ment is formed by mechanical,
thermograph a thermometer that which more of a solute can be dis-
records temperature chemical, or biological means (373)
solved at a particular temperature
thermometer a device used to weed a plant that grows where it
measure temperature (193) is not wanted
V
thrust faulting low angle faulting weight the force of gravity exerted
variable a condition or factor that on a mass (300)
of rock (413) can influence the outcome of
thrust line the line that runs an experiment welding a process in which pieces
downward from an object’s centre of metal or plastic are fused
vegetative (asexual) reproduction together by the application of
of gravity, through which force is a type of reproduction that occurs
transferred heat (292)
when a “parent” plant grows
tie a device used to add strength to new plants from its roots, stems, WHMIS an acronym that stands
a structure, usually by forming a or leaves (118) for Workplace Hazardous
rigid triangle at the point where Materials Information System
Venn diagram a graphic organizer
the pieces come together in a right consisting of overlapping circles;
angle; a type of rigid joint, such as used to compare and contrast two
a piece of rope, that is used to pull concepts or objects
objects or materials together and
hold them in place vent an opening in Earth’s crust
through which magma can escape,
topsoil the topmost layer of soil, forming lava (406)
which is dark-coloured and rich
in humus (150, 372) vertical fault a fault in which rock
moves up or down
torsion force a force that acts on
a material by twisting its ends in volcano an opening in Earth’s crust
opposite directions (307) that can release materials such as
lava, smoke, and ash; volcanoes
torsion strength a measure of the can be either active (releasing
largest torsion force that a material materials) or dormant (not
can withstand and still be able to releasing materials)
return to its original shape (307)
volume the measurement of the
trace fossil a type of fossil in which amount of space occupied by a
evidence of animal activities have substance; measured in litres or
been preserved (419) cubic units such as cubic centime-
transform boundary an area of tres (cm3)
Earth’s crust where plates are slid-
ing past each other W
transformation the changing of a warm-blooded of an organism,
substance or material with a partic- maintaining a relatively consistent
ular set of properties into a new body temperature regardless of
substance (or substances); a change the environment; all mammals
in the characteristics of something are warm-blooded
transpiration the process in which waste heat energy that is trans-
water that is taken in by a plant or ferred outside the system in which
an animal evaporates from the it is generated, without doing any
organism (51) useful work

Glossary • MHR 497