8th Grade Science Flashcards L to J

Key Scientific Terms

• Abiotic: Refers to nonliving environmental factors that influence organisms, such as temperature and sunlight.
• Absorption: Process wherein light energy transfers into an object, influencing its behavior.
• Air Mass: A large body of air with consistent temperature and moisture levels, impacting weather patterns.
• Air Pressure: The force exerted by the weight of air on a surface, affecting weather and climate.
• Anatomical: Pertains to the physical structure of living organisms.
• Asexual Reproduction: A reproductive method where a single organism produces offspring independently.
• Axis: An imaginary line extending from one pole of Earth to the other, around which Earth rotates.
• Balanced Forces: Equal forces acting on an object in opposite directions, resulting in no movement.
• Biotic: Encompasses all living aspects of an environment that affect organisms.
• Burning: A chemical process that decomposes a substance and releases heat.

Biological Concepts

• Carrying Capacity: The maximum number of individuals an environment can sustainably support.
• Cell: The fundamental unit of life present in all living organisms.
• Cell Division: The process by which a cell divides to create two new cells, essential for growth and repair.
• Chemical Properties: Attributes of a substance that define its interactions with other substances.
• Chromosome: Structures within cells that contain genetic information.
• Circulatory System: Network responsible for nutrient distribution throughout the body.
• Commensalism: A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other remains unaffected.
• Compound: A substance formed from two or more elements chemically bonded in fixed ratios.
• Conclusion: A decision or judgment formed after analyzing relevant facts and evidence.

Environmental and Physical Science

• Condensation: The process where gas transforms into liquid, critical in weather phenomena.
• Conservation of Matter: Principle stating that matter cannot be created or destroyed in chemical reactions.
• Control Group: Subjects in an experiment that do not receive the experimental treatment, serving as a comparison.
• Controlled Variables: Constants in an experiment that help isolate the effects of the independent variable.
• Core: Earth's innermost layer, comprised primarily of iron and nickel.
• Crust: The thin, outermost layer of Earth, consisting of rock.
• Dependent Variable: The variable in an experiment measured to assess the impact of the independent variable.
• Deposition: Physical process wherein gas changes directly to solid without becoming liquid.
• Digestive System: Responsible for breaking down food and converting it into energy.

Miscellaneous Scientific Principles

• Dissolving: Physical change where water separates particles of a substance.
• Divergence: The process by which objects or populations move apart.
• Dominant Gene: A gene that can mask the presence of another allele.
• Eclipse: An event where one celestial body blocks light from another.
• Element: A pure substance that cannot be simplified, forming the building blocks of matter.
• Endocrine System: A network of glands producing hormones that regulate various body functions.
• Energy: The capacity to perform work, found in various forms like kinetic and potential energy.
• Evaporation: The surface vaporization of a liquid, part of the water cycle.
• Excretory System: Eliminates waste materials to maintain homeostasis.

Observations and Scientific Method

• Experimental Group: The subjects in an experiment that are exposed to the variable being tested.
• Extinction: The termination of a species or group of organisms.
• Food Web: Interconnected food chains representing feeding relationships within an ecosystem.
• Fossil: Remains or traces of ancient life found in geological formations.
• Gene: A segment of DNA responsible for a specific trait.
• Gravitational Force: The attractive force exerted by masses in the universe, dictating planetary motion.
• Heredity: Transmission of traits from one generation to the next.
• Humidity: Water vapor content in the air, influencing weather and climate.
• Hypothesis: A testable prediction that facilitates experimentation.

Geology and Biology

• Igneous Rock: Formed from the solidification of molten magma.
• Immune System: Protects against pathogens and diseases.
• Independent Variable: The factor manipulated to observe its effects on other variables in an experiment.
• Inference: A logical conclusion based on observations and evidence.
• Integumentary System: The body’s outer protective layer including skin and its derivatives.
• Jet Stream: Fast flowing air currents high in the atmosphere influencing weather systems.
• Law: A statement describing consistent natural phenomena under specified conditions.
• Law of Conservation of Energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed but only transformed.
• Magnetic Field: Area around a magnet where magnetic force is observed.

Other Important Concepts

• Mantle: The layer of rock between Earth's crust and core, involved in tectonic activity.
• Metamorphic Rock: Rocks transformed by heat, pressure, or chemical processes.
• Muscular System: Facilitates movement through muscle contraction and relaxation.
• Mutualism: Interaction between organisms where both parties benefit.
• Nervous System: Coordinates responses to stimuli, maintaining homeostasis.
• Nonrenewable Resource: A resource depleted faster than it can regenerate.
• Organ: A grouping of tissues serving a specific function in an organism.
• Organ System: A collection of organs working collaboratively to execute complex functions.
• Organism: Any living entity capable of growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli.

Ecological and Climate Terms

• Parasitism: A relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.
• Periodic Table: Display of all known elements organized by atomic structure and properties.
• Precipitation: Any form of water, including rain and snow, falling from clouds to Earth.
• Prediction: Estimated outcomes based on existing knowledge.
• Prey: Organisms that are hunted or consumed by predators.
• Qualitative Observation: Non-numeric data describing the characteristics of subjects.
• Quantitative Observation: Data based on numerical measurements.
• Recessive Gene: An allele that is masked by a dominant allele.
• Refraction: Bending of light as it transitions between different media.
• Renewable Resource: Resources that can naturally replenish as they are used.

Experimental Design and Phenomena

• Repeated Trials: Multiple executions of an experiment to increase the reliability of results.
• Reproductive System: Systems in an organism that allows for mating and offspring production.
• Respiratory System: Responsible for gas exchange, taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide.
• Response: An organism's reply or action due to external stimuli.
• Revolution: The circular movement of an object around another, such as Earth's orbit around the sun.
• Rotation: The spinning motion of an object around its axis.
• Rusting: A corrosive process where iron reacts with oxygen, forming iron oxide.
• Scattering: Diffusion of light in various directions post-contact with a rough surface.
• Scientific Critique: Evaluation of research strengths and weaknesses to enhance scientific integrity.
• Sedimentary Rock: Formed from compacted sediments, often holding fossils and forming layers.

Biological and Ecological Systems

• Sexual Reproduction: Union of sex cells from two organisms resulting in genetically diverse offspring.
• Skeletal System: Provides structural support and protection for bodily organs.
• Species: A group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding.
• Stimulus: Any signal that prompts a response from an organism.
• Sublimation: Direct transition of matter from solid to gas phase without becoming liquid.
• Survival Rate: Proportion of individuals remaining alive within a specific timeframe.
• Symbiosis: Long-term interaction between different species, whether beneficial or harmful.

Test your knowledge of essential science terms with these flashcards for 8th grade. This quiz covers key vocabulary from abiotic factors to air pressure and their definitions. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of environmental science concepts.