Science UNIT 4: Structure, Function, and Information Processing Vocabulary
structure
The way something is organized/made.
function
What something’s internal & external
structures do
Sensory receptors
Things that detect changes in an organism’s
environment
Internal structure
The organization of structures inside an
organism
Ex. Heart, lungs, brain, veins
External structure
The organization of structures outside an
organism
Ex. Thorns, stems, tusks, tail
instinct
A pattern of behavior that an animal is born
with—knows to do this (ex. Spider makes a web)
Life cycle
The particular way that a living thing grows,
reproduces, and dies.
birthgrowthreproductiondeath
reproduction
Making more of the same type of organism
into existence
offspring
The young of a plant or an animal
Trait
A characteristic of a living thing (ex. Brown
eyes, curly hair)
Inherited-heredity
The passing of traits from parents to
offspring
organism
A single, self-contained living thing
adaptation
A specific trait or behavior that helps an
organism to survive (ex. Camouflage, beak
shape)
prey
An animal that is hunted by another animal
predator
An animal that hunts other animals
migration
Seasonal movement of animals to find food,
lay eggs, give birth, breed, etc.
hibernation
A deep sleep that allows some animals to
survive through the winter
metamorphosis
The process of changes in form during an
animal’s development.
egglarvapupaadult (ELPA sometimes
EN(nymph)A)
vertebrates
Animals with backbones: 5 classificationsfish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds
(FARM B)
invertebrates
Animals without backbones: ex. Sponges,
worms, crabs, insects, spiders
Behavioral adaptation
The way an animal acts to survive
Physical adaptation
Everything that makes up an animal’s body
and helps it to survive
Social interaction
The way an animal behaves in a group in
order to survive
photosynthesis
When a plant uses energy from the sun,
water, and carbon dioxide gas to make its
food
Learned behavior
A behavior that an organism doesn’t begin
life with. A behavior that is usually taught by
parents or adults of the species. Ex. Talking,
hunting
chlorophyll
Made in special cells inside a plant and help
the plant trap energy from the sun to make
its food
germination
When a seed begins to grow/sprout
pollination
The transfer of pollen from one plant to
another
fertilization
When plant cells join to make a seed(s) begin
to form and grow
The main structures of a plant are:
Roots-anchor the plant; transport nutrients
Stem-support plant; transport nutrients
Leaves-make food for the plant
Flower/fruit-makes seeds & holds and
protects seeds