FOSS Science
Living Systems
Vocabulary -- Investigation 1
Living Cells
Part 1
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cell – basic unit of life
oxygen – atmospheric gas needed by most living things
carbon dioxide – waste gas produced by living cells
heart – muscular organ that contracts rhythmically, producing a pulse with each contraction
blood – liquid tissue that flows to and from cells
pulse – produced with each contraction of the heart
blood vessel – blood flows to and from cells in blood vessels
capillary – smallest blood vessel; gases, nutrients, and wastes are exchanged between
capillaries and cells; capillaries carry blood rich with oxygen, food, and other nutrients to every cell
and carry all waste materials away
artery – blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the body
vein – blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart
circulatory system – includes tissues (blood and blood vessels) and organs (heart) that transport
life-support substances to cells and removes waste.
right atrium – one of the 4 chambers of the heart
right ventricle – one of the 4 chambers of the heart
left atrium – one of the 4 chambers of the heart
left ventricle – one of the 4 chambers of the heart
tissue – a group of cells of the same kind, working together to perform a function. In the
circulatory system: blood and blood vessels (types of tissues include muscle tissue, bone tissue,
nerve tissue)
respiratory system – includes tissues and organs (lungs) that provide gas exchange between the
blood and atmosphere
lung – organ of the respiratory system. Organ in animals where gases, such as oxygen and
carbon dioxide pass between the atmosphere and the blood
Part 2
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digestive system – system of organs and structures responsible for the digestion of food. the
digestive system includes the teeth, mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine,
and colon.
digestion – process of breaking down food into nutrients that can be used by cells
mouth and teeth – where food is taken in and what is used to moisten (by saliva), chew and bite,
and cut it; first step in the digestion process
esophagus – tube connecting the mouth and the stomach
stomach – organ where food is reduced to mush by acid and muscle activity
small intestine – part of the digestive system between the stomach and large intestine that
absorbs nutrients from digested food.
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large intestine – part of the digestive system between the small intestine and the rectum where
water is removed from the solid waste
colon – large intestine where solid waste is compacted and dehydrated in preparation for
elimination
waste – what the body does not use
kidney – an organ that filters and cleans the blood
urine – liquid waste produced by the kidneys
bladder – organ that holds urine until it is eliminated
excretory system – the system which includes the kidneys, and bladder, that eliminates waste
cellular waste – chemical produced by cells that must be removed
Part 3
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The respiratory system moves gases between the atmosphere and the blood
The circulatory system carries resources and wastes to and from the cells
The digestive system breaks food into sugar and other chemicals that can be used by cells
The excretory system filters the blood and carries cellular waste materials out of the body
Vocabulary -- Investigation 2
Vascular Plants
Part 1
 cross section – cuts across an object and exposes its internal structure
 vascular plants – a multicellular plant that has vessels for transporting water, minerals, and sugar
to all the cells.
 xylem- vascular plants have these tubes to transport water
 phloem- these tubes transport sugar to the plant cells
 sap- the sugar rich liquid that flows from the phloem
Part 2
 classify – putting things in groups based on similar properties or behaviors.
 palmate- Several large veins extending from the place where the leaf stem attaches to the leaf.
Think of the palm of your hand and your fingers as the main veins.
 pinnate- One large vein extending the length of the leaf with smaller leaves branching off. Pinna
means feather so a pinnate leaf resembles a feather in a way.
 parallel- Many small veins running the length of the leaf. Long, narrow leaves, like blades of
grass, tend to have parallel veins.
Vocabulary -- Investigation 3
Sugar and Cells
Part 1
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food – the source of energy and building materials for living cells
photosynthesis – is a chemical process in which cells produce energy-rich sugar molecules and
release oxygen
fat – a group of nutrients that provides energy and building blocks for growth and development
protein – a group of nutrients that provides energy and building blocks for growth and
development
mass – a quantity of matter
sunlight – light from the sun or solar energy
starches – chemicals produced by plants to store food
molecule – a particle made of two or more atoms. A sugar molecule is made of carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.
Part 2
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yeast – single celled organism
cellular respiration – process by which plant and animal cells break down sugar to get energy,
releasing carbon dioxide in the process.
Part 3
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chlorophyll – a molecule that absorbs light energy.
photosynthesis – process by which green plants make sugar from carbon dioxide and water in
the presence of light.
sunlight – light from the sun
glucose – the sugar made during photosynthesis
cellular respiration – the process by which plants and animals break down sugar molecules for
energy