B220 words · Upper-intermediate

Natural Science vocabulary — B2

Natural science vocabulary covering biology and chemistry, such as species, habitat and adaptation, plus compound, molecule and oxygen, the point where the two subjects meet.

20 questions

Words in this set

species
/ˈspiʃiz/
A group of animals or plants that are alike and can breed together to produce young.
Example: This frog is a rare species found only on one island.
bacteria
/bækˈtɪriə/
Living things far too small to see, each made of one part, that can cause illness or help digestion.
Example: Cooking the meat properly kills most bacteria.
habitat
/ˈhæbəˌtæt/
The natural place where a particular animal or plant normally lives and grows.
Example: Cutting down forests destroys the habitat of thousands of birds.
carnivore
/ˈkɑrnɪˌvɔr/
An animal that eats mainly meat.
Example: A tiger is a carnivore that hunts other animals.
herbivore
/ˈhɜrbɪˌvɔr/
An animal that eats mainly plants.
Example: A cow is a herbivore that grazes on grass all day.
omnivore
An animal that eats both plants and meat.
Example: A bear is an omnivore, eating berries as well as fish.
organism
/ˈɔrɡəˌnɪzəm/
Any living thing, from a tiny bacterium to a large animal or plant.
Example: Every organism on Earth needs energy to survive.
tissue
/ˈtɪˌsju/
A group of similar cells in the body that work together, such as muscle or skin.
Example: Doctors took a small sample of tissue to test it.
adaptation
/ˌædəpˈteɪʃən/
A change in an animal or plant that helps it survive better in its environment.
Example: A long neck is a useful adaptation for reaching high leaves.
camouflage
/ˈkæməˌflɑʒ/
Colours or patterns on an animal's body that help it hide by blending into its surroundings.
Example: The frog's green skin gives it perfect camouflage among the leaves.
evaporate
/ɪˈvæpərˌeɪt/
When a liquid slowly turns into gas, usually because of heat.
Example: The puddles evaporated quickly in the hot sun.
compound
/ˈkɑmpaʊnd/
A substance made when two or more chemical elements join together.
Example: Water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen.
oxygen
/ˈɑksədʒən/
A gas in the air with no colour or smell that living things need to breathe.
Example: Divers carry tanks of oxygen so they can breathe underwater.
molecule
/ˈmɑləˌkjul/
The smallest amount of a substance that can exist while still being that substance.
Example: A water molecule has one oxygen and two hydrogen parts.
toxic
/ˈtɑksɪk/
Containing something that can poison you or harm living things.
Example: The fumes from that cleaner are toxic, so open a window.
hydrogen
/ˈhaɪdrədʒən/
A colourless gas with no smell that is the lightest and most common element in the universe.
Example: Water is made of hydrogen and oxygen.
carbon
/ˈkɑrbən/
A chemical element found in all living things and in substances such as coal and diamonds.
Example: Diamonds are a pure form of carbon.
dilute
/daɪˈlut/
To make a liquid weaker or thinner by adding water or another liquid to it.
Example: You should dilute the juice with water before drinking it.
concentrated
/ˈkɑnsənˌtreɪtɪd/
Made stronger by removing water or another liquid, so a substance is less watery.
Example: The cleaning liquid is very concentrated, so use only a little.
residue
/ˈrɛzəˌdu/
A small amount of a substance that remains after most of it has gone or been used.
Example: A sticky residue was left on the glass after the liquid evaporated.