scientific words

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When you read scientific writing, you'll notice that there are words that show up again and again as authors explain scientific concepts and events. What words in this video seem common in discussions about science? Make a list on a piece of paper as you watch the video. Then read and answer the question below. Click the Answer button to compare your response to the one given.

Question

What science words did you hear?

feature

tentacle

prey

carnivore

evolved

adaptation

musculature

centimeters/meters

specimen

predator

Scientific information can be presented in many different forms, including videos, articles, museum exhibits, textbooks, and websites. These different sources of information sometimes cover the same topic, such as animal behavior. You will notice that a common vocabulary is shared between the different formats when the same topic is presented.

For example, you just watched a video about squid. Now you will read a passage from an article about tarantulas. After reading the passage, think about the vocabulary used in the video and article. Did you notice any similarities? If needed, go back and rewatch the video and take notes. Then read and answer the question below. Click the Answer button to compare your response with the one given.

Tarantulas are carnivores. They usually eat insects, but they will also eat other small animals such as mice. A tarantula grabs its prey with its legs and injects venom into it, causing paralysis. The tarantula then injects an enzyme that turns the prey to liquid, allowing the tarantula to slurp up its insect shake.

As they grow, tarantulas molt, or shed, their outer shells so they can grow a new one. When they molt, they also replace some of their organs. Tarantulas can even regrow lost legs--an amazing adaptation that greatly increases their ability to survive attacks by predators. Adult female tarantulas molt about once a year, but adult males usually do not molt.

Question

What words are used to describe tarantulas as well as squid?

carnivore

prey

adaptation

predator

shell

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Read this passage from an article about scuba diving. Take notice of the scientific concepts that are presented. Then read and answer the question below. Click the Answer button to compare your response to the one given.

Before we look at how scientists helped divers avoid getting sick, let's look more closely at the concept of decompression—so that we understand why bubbles form in a diver's blood. Think of a bottle of soda pop. Before it is opened, there is no sign of bubbles. As soon as the bottle is opened, though, bubbles suddenly appear. In fact, they can foam all over the place. That is because there is a gas, carbon dioxide, dissolved inside the liquid soda. The soda in the closed bottle is under pressure. When a liquid is under pressure, it can dissolve more gas than when it is not under pressure. As soon as you open a bottle, there is less pressure inside it, and it cannot dissolve as much gas. That makes gas bubbles form as the gas tries to expand. This same process is what happened when a bubble formed in the eye of the snake in Robert Boyle's bell jar. It is also what happened to the workers in the caissons.

Question

What words from the passage describe concepts that belong to the language of science?

decompression

gas

dissolve

pressure

liquid

It is important to become familiar with words that are often used when discussing scientific topics. Having a well-rounded scientific vocabulary will help you excel in all your classes, not just science-related ones.

Read and answer each question in the slideshow below. Click the Show Me button to compare your response with the one given. Click the Next button to move to the next slide.

Carnivore

Would this carnivore eat eggs for breakfast?

Yes, eggs are considered meat, which is what carnivores eat.

Adaptation

What adaptation does this camel have to help it cross deserts without dying of thirst?

The adaptation this camel exhibits is a hump that stores water inside the camel's body. This is an adaptation to dry environments.

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Specimen

Which objects in this picture are specimens?

All of the creatures inside the jars are examples of a species. They are specimens.

Dissolve

If you dissolve solid tablets in water, what you will end up with?

Evolve

If this were a real species, in what way would it have evolved?

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Read and define the words on the flashcards below to study the vocabulary used in this lesson. The flashcards will help you prepare for your quiz.

Click the flashcards to reveal the correct definition. If you get the definition correct, click the green check mark. If you give an incorrect definition, click the red X. Click the Next button to move to the next flashcard.

english science