WORD LIST: Words to do with Science

atom

a very small part of all things; the smallest part of an element that can join with parts of other elements

bacteria

living things that are one cell and can be seen only through a microscope; some cause disease

cell

a small mass of living material that is part of all plants and animals

compound

a substance containing two or more elements

electron

a small part of an atom that has an electrical force

element

one of more than 100 substances known to science that cannot be separated into other substances

genes

parts of cells that control the growth and development of living things; genes from the mother and father are passed to the child

genetic engineering

the science of changing the genes of a living organism

gravity

the force that pulls things toward the center of the earth

laser

an instrument that makes a thin, powerful light

magnet

a piece of iron or other material that has a pulling force; this pulling force is called magnetism

molecule

the smallest amount of a chemical substance that can exist

nerve

a thin piece of tissue that sends information through the body to and from the brain

organ

a part of the body that has a special purpose, such as the heart or brain

organism

a living thing, often so small it can be seen only through a microscope

particle

a very small piece of matter

virus

a kind of organism that causes disease

x-rays

a kind of radiation that can pass through most solid materials, often used in medicine