8th Grade Vocabulary

structure of an organism 

a particular complex part of a living thing EX: bone structure

bodily structure of a plant or an animal or of any of its parts

a layer of rock or sand that can absorb and hold water

process where a single cell can reproduce by itself

the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem

the living things that shape the ecosystem EX: plants and other organisms

the change in the inherited traits of a population of organisms

event that is very important but harmful EX: earthquake

a feature or quality

structure found in the nucleus that carries genetic information for an organism

a limit or restriction

the number and variety of organisms in an area

release of sudden and extreme energy that is caused by shifting in the Earth's crust

all populations living together and the physical parts of the environment with which they interact

the process in which a human embryo or fetus gestates during pregnancy, from fertilization until birth

change over time

patterns of descent of organisms, like a family tree for species

disappearance of a species from its geographical range

a large amount of water covering an area of land that is usually dry

preserved remains of the traces of animals and plants that once lived within an area

imprinted remains of a plant or animal in sedimentary rock that give us clues to the Earth's past

to work or operate in a proper or particular way

small part of an organism that determines a specific trait EX: eye color and hair color are determined by genes

a measure of the genetic differences there are within populations or species

the 4.6 billion year history of Earth, from its origin to the present separated into eras and periods

the meteorological conditions, including temperature, precipitation, and wind, that characteristically prevail in a particular region

passing of characteristics or traits from one generation to another

what people do to affect or change something

tropical cyclone with sustained winds that have reached speeds of 74 mph or higher

characteristics received from one's parents or ancestors

characteristics received from one's parents or ancestors

processes that occur inside the Earth EX: earthquakes and volcanic activity

testing that is repeated multiple times

energy produced by motion

large enough to be perceived or examined by the unaided eye

measurement of the amount of an applied force

downhill movement of soil and rock fragments caused by the force of gravity

change that adapts, limits, qualifies, or restricts something to a new end or purpose

mutations occur when a DNA gene is damaged or changed in such a way as to alter the genetic message carried by that gene

all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth

severe and extreme weather and climate event that occurs naturally in all parts of the world EX: earthquake, tsunami

a process existing in or produced by nature and not by humans EX: volcanic activitiy

naturally occurring material that can be used by man EX: coal, fertile land

part of Darwin's theory of evolution saying that those individuals within a species that don't adapt well to their environment will eventually die off, while those that do adapt will continue on with future generations

a person's child; the young of an animal or plant

a living plant or animal

soil, water, air, temperature and sunlight (SWATS)

large, complex molecules that do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs

rock that is arranged or formed in a certain way

layers of rock, or sometimes soil

a reason for something happening based on the principles of science

a statement based on repeated experimental observations that describes some aspect of the world

a statement based on repeated experimental observations that describes some aspect of the world

weather that can cause major damage, serious social disruption and/or affect human life  

process by which sex cells from two organisms join to form a new organism

energy emitted by the sun

group of similar organisms that can mate and reproduce

how fast something is moving; distance travelled divided by elapsed time EX: miles per hour

events or occurrences in the environment of an organism that influence its behavior

the arrangement of parts in an organism

wind and erosion that affects the earth's surface features and creates landforms

application of science (the combination of the scientific method and material) to meet an objective or solve a problem

a dark funnel shaped cloud that is made up of rotating winds that can be extremely violent

a distinguishing quality or characteristic EX: hair color, eye color

a distinguishing quality or characteristic EX: hair color, eye color

ability to grow, reproduce, convert sunlight or nutrients into energy; related in some way and are carbon based

a very high, large wave in the ocean, usually caused by an earthquake under the sea that can destroy land

all living things came from ONE organism, so we are all alike but different

a change or difference in traits

an occurrence when lava and gas are discharged from a volcanic vent