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PSSA Vocab part 2
Term | Definition |
---|---|
fact | information that has been objectively verified |
theory | organized knowledge to explain the nature or behavior of a specified set of phenomena. |
hypothesis | an assertion subject to verification or proof as a premise from which a conclusion is drawn. |
law | statement of experimental facts that has been tested many times and is accepted as true. |
model | a description, analogy or a representation of something that helps us understand it better. |
inquiry | a systematic process for using knowledge and skills to acquire and apply new knowledge. |
patterns | repeated processes that are exhibited in a wide variety of ways. |
regulation | a rule or order issued by a regulatory agency of a government and having the force of law. |
closing the loop | a link in the circular chain of recycling events that promotes the use of products made with recycled material |
non-renewable sources | substances (e.g., oil, gas, coal, copper, gold) that, once used, cannot be replaced in this geological age |
renewable | a naturally occurring raw material or energy replenished through nature (e.g., the wind, water) |
recycling | collecting and reprocessing a resource or product to make into new products |
composting | the process of mixing decaying leaves, manure, and other nutritive matter to improve and fertilize soil |
evolution | a process of change that explains why what we see today differs from what existed previously. |
extinction | the complete elimination of a species from the Earth |
endangered species | a species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range |
equilibrium | the ability of an ecosystem to maintain stability among its biological resources (e.g., forest, fisheries, crops) so that there is a steady optimum yield |
sustainability | ability to keep in existence or maintain. An ecosystem is one that can be maintained. |
succession | the series of changes that occur in an ecosystem with the passing of time |