Science: Unit 3 Grade 4

root

Part of a plant that is usually underground and absorbs water and minerals from the soil.

stem

A structure that has tubes to carry water, sugar, and minerals to different parts of the plant.

leaves

Plant parts that use sunlight to produce sugar for the plant's food.

photosynthesis

the process by which plants make their own food.

chlorophyll

Green pigment in plants that absorbs light energy used to carry out photosynthesis

vascular plants

Plants with tubes that move water, minerals, and sugars.

nonvascular plants

These plants do not stems or leaves and grow close to the ground to absorb water and minerals like a sponge.

conifers

trees that produce seed-bearing cones and have thin leaves shaped like needles

life cycle

The series of stages that a living thing goes through as it develops.

fertilization

The process of a sperm and egg cell joining together.

flowering plants

Plants that make seeds inside flowers.

germination

The process when a small root and stem begin to grow out of a seed.

maturity

When a plant grows to its full size.

pollen

A yellow fine dust that contains the sperm of seed-producing plants

pollination

The process of pollen moving from a male plant part to a female plant part.

seed

The plant structure that contains a young plant inside a protective covering

spore

A cell that can grow into a new plant.

complete metamorphosis

An animal goes through four stages in its life cycle. Egg, larvae, pupa, and adult.

incomplete metamorphosis

Animals that have three stages in their life cycles. Egg, nymph, and adult.

larva

The second stage in complete metamorphosis. It looks like a worm.

nymph

The second stage in incomplete metamorphosis. It looks like a tiny adult.

pupa

stage in complete metamorphosis in which the larva develops into an adult

physical adaptation

An adaptation to a body part to help it survive.

instinct

An inherited behavior an animal knows how to do without having to learn it.

behavioral adaptation

Something an organism does to help it survive.