Visionlearning Glossary

English statesman and philosopher born in London (1561-1626). In 1620, Bacon published the Novum Organum, in which he argued for a method of scientific inquiry based on inductive reasoning in which the only way to discover the truth was to gather evidence from the real world. He is often referred to as the catalyst for the Scientific Revolution. In 1618, Bacon was appointed Lord Chancellor, and in 1621, he was made viscount St. Albans. For further information see Francis Bacon

Used in the following modules: Research Methods: The Practice of Science, Scientific Institutions and Societies

any of a group of viruses that infect and reproduce in specific bacteria, usually causing their disintegration or dissolution. After the bacterium is destroyed, the bacteriophage is released and can invade surrounding bacteria.

Used in the following modules: DNA I

A dark, fine-grained igneous rock formed by cooling of iron- and magnesium-rich lava above the surface of the earth. Basalt is the main component of the oceanic crust of the earth.

Used in the following modules: Earth Structure, Minerals I, The Rock Cycle

Generally, a substance that reacts with acids to form a salt, several different definitions of bases have been proposed by different scientists (listed in parentheses). 1) (Arrhenius) a compound that releases hydroxide ions (OH-) in solution; 2) (Brønsted-Lowry) a molecule or ion that accepts hydrogen ions from solution; 3) (Lewis) a molecule or ion that donates an electron pair to an acid.

Used in the following modules: Acids and Bases, Creativity in Science, DNA I, DNA II, Earth Structure, Scientific Communication: Utilizing the Scientific Literature

(August 8, 1861 – February 8, 1926) A British geneticist who was the first person to use the term genetics to describe the study of biological inheritance and heredity. In addition, he was largely responsible for popularizing the ideas of Gregor Mendel following their rediscovery in 1900 by Hugo de Vries, Erich Tschermak von Seysenegg and Carl Correns. Bateson’s most famous work, Materials for the study of variation, was published in 1894. In it, he cataloged physical variations in animal specimens, such as bees with legs instead of antenna, and humans with polydactylism (extra fingers) or extra ribs.

An abbreviation for Before the Common Era, which is a designation for the period of time prior to year 1 of the Gregorian calendar. BCE is an alternative to the abbreviation BC, and the numbering of years is identical to the Before Christ system. Compare with CE.

Used in the following modules: Ideas in Science: Theories, Hypotheses, and Laws, Matter, Research Methods: Description, Research Methods: Experimentation, Research Methods: The Practice of Science, Scientific Communication: Understanding Scientific Journals and Articles, Scientific Communication: Utilizing the Scientific Literature, The Hydrologic Cycle, The Nature of Scientific Knowledge

French physicist, born in Paris (1852-1908). Becquerel’s most famous work is his study of uranium salts, which he discovered produced rays that caused gas to ionize. This type of radiation was termed Becquerel radiation. In 1903 he was awarded half a Nobel Prize for his discovery of radiation; the other half was awarded to Pierre and Marie Curie for their work on Becquerel radiation. For further information see Henri Becquerel.

Used in the following modules: Nuclear Chemistry

Swiss medical doctor and mathematician born in Groningen (1700-1782). His work Hydrodynamica contains the first correct analysis of the dynamics of water flowing through a hole, based on the principle of the conservation of energy. He was a prolific researcher and won the Grand Prize of the Paris Academy 4 times, for topics in astronomy and nautical topics. For further information see Daniel Bernoulli.

Used in the following modules: Matter

Swedish chemist and medical doctor born in Väversunda, Ostergötland (1779-1848). While studying for his medical degree, Berzelius experimented with the use of electric shock to treat patients with various diseases. He is most famous for a series of experiments that proved that elements in inorganic compounds are bound together in definite proportions. In studying compounds, he discovered cerium, selenium, and thorium. With his experimental results, he was able to determine the atomic weights of nearly all elements then known. For more information, see Jöns Jakob Berzelius.

Used in the following modules: Minerals III

A theory proposed by Georges Lemaitre (originally known as the “hypothesis of the primeval atom”) describing the origin of the universe. It was based on the idea that if the space between galaxy clusters is continuing to increase, then there had to be a time when these same bodies were closer together. The term “Big Bang” was coined by Fred Hoyle in 1949 to describe an event 13.7 million years ago involving the rapid expansion of matter and energy from a single hot, dense point. This expansion and cooling provided a foundation for the creation of the Universe.

Used in the following modules: Plate Tectonics I

a term coined by Sir William Herschel in 1802 to describe a pair of stars that revolve around a common mass and are unaffected by the mass of other stars, creating their own system.

(noun)

Used in the following modules: The Nature of Scientific Knowledge

A formal two word name given to each species, based on the combination of a genus name and a species name.

Used in the following modules: Taxonomy II: Nomenclature

The variety and abundance of life and its ecological context, including the different kinds of organisms, the numbers of species, the variations in their genes, and the complexity of their ecological conditions.

Used in the following modules: Charles Darwin III, Taxonomy I, Taxonomy II: Nomenclature, Tracking Endangered Jaguars with Sergio Avila

of or relating to the partitioning and cycling of chemical elements and compounds between the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem

Used in the following modules: Earth's Atmosphere, Studying Climate Change with Kevin Arrigo, The Carbon Cycle, The Nitrogen Cycle

The combined mass of living or once-living organisms in a given area.

Used in the following modules: The Nitrogen Cycle

A large, distinct biological community characterized by vegetation and wildlife adapted to particular environmental conditions, such as climate and soil type. Examples include desert, grassland, and tundra.

(noun)

Used in the following modules: Tracking Endangered Jaguars with Sergio Avila

(Also known as ecoregion) A large area of land or water defined by its natural features, rather than political boundaries like state lines or international borders. A bioregion is an area with similar ecosystems and natural resources, sharing features like soil types, currents, climate, geological features, vegetation, and wildlife.

For example, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation of North America lists 181 terrestrial ecoregions and 86 marine ecoregions. These include areas like the Ozark Highlands and the Sonoran Desert on land and the Puget Sound Estuarine Area and Central Hudson Bay in the water. Classification systems vary, and not all scientists agree on the exact number or boundaries of Earth’s bioregions. But the concept is useful for managing wildlife and natural resources on a large scale.

View maps and learn more about the CEC’s classification system for terrestrial ecoregions and marine ecoregions.

(noun)

Used in the following modules: Tracking Endangered Jaguars with Sergio Avila

All of the living organisms on Earth.

Used in the following modules: Scientific Communication: Utilizing the Scientific Literature, Studying Climate Change with Kevin Arrigo, The Carbon Cycle, The Nitrogen Cycle

Norwegian mathematician, physicist and meteorologist born in Christiana, Norway (now Oslo) (1862-1951). Bjerknes proposed the concept of numerical weather prediction, developed by later scientists as a means of weather forecasting through the use of mathematical modeling. Bjerknes also made fundamental contributions to our understanding of air masses, fronts, and circulation in the atmosphere. He received many honors during his life, and posthumously was honored by a stamp with his image. For further information see Vilhelm Bjerknes

Used in the following modules: Ideas in Science: Scientific Controversy, Research Methods: Modeling

a detailed outline or plan of action. The word technically refers to a process of photographic printing, used chiefly in copying architectural and mechanical drawings, which produces a white line on a blue background.

Used in the following modules: Charles Darwin III, DNA I, DNA II, Tracking Endangered Jaguars with Sergio Avila

Occurs when the observed light from an object appears to be of a shorter wavelength (bluer) than what is actually emitted. Blueshift is caused by the Doppler Effect, when a source of light moves toward an observer. See also redshift.

Danish physicist born in Copenhagen (1885-1962). Bohr’s research was mainly theoretical in nature, including an investigation into the absorption of alpha rays and the structure of atoms. He combined Rutherford’s atomic model with concepts from the Quantum Theory, developing the model of the atom that is still used today. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922 for his work on atomic structure. For further information, see Niels Bohr.

Used in the following modules: Atomic Theory II

Indian Bengali mathematician born in Calcutta (1894-1974). Bose developed an interest in physics and mathematics in high school. He later worked on quantum theory, particularly Planck’s law of black body radiation. His 1924 paper Planck’s Law and the Hypothesis of Light Quanta was strongly endorsed by Einstein, and helped to form the foundation for Bose-Einstein statistics and the theory of Bose-Einstein condensates. The boson, a sub-atomic particle with integer spin, is named in his honor. For more information see Satyendra Nath Bose.

Used in the following modules: Matter: States of Matter

English chemist and theologian, born at Lismore Castle, Munster, Ireland (1627-1691). Boyle published on a broad array of topics, including chemistry, physics, medicine, and theology. He is best known for Boyle’s Law, from which the ideal gas law is derived. In 1661, Boyle published The Sceptical Schymist or Chymico-Physical Doubts and paradoxes, which is considered a conerstone in the field of modern chemistry. Boyle was also one of the founding members of the Royal Society of London. For further information see Robert Boyle

Used in the following modules: Acids and Bases, Matter, Scientific Institutions and Societies, Waves and Wave Motion

Danish astronomer, born in Knutstorp Castle (1546-1601). He is famous for his geocentric theory of the solar system, as well as for his meticulous astronomical observations concerning the positions of planets. He made his observations over 20 years, from the island of Hven. He later was appointed Imperial Mathematician to the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolph II, in Prague. For further information see Tycho Brahe.

Used in the following modules: Gravity

A group of animals of a particular species that is large enough and close enough together to successfully produce offspring. Larger breeding populations tend to have higher genetic diversity, which can help a species withstand natural or human-driven changes in the environment. Species that have large geographic ranges may have multiple breeding populations in different locations that do not interbreed with one another. A small breeding population may also be assembled in captivity, such as at a zoo, in order to help boost the population of a species that is threatened in the wild.

(noun)

Used in the following modules: Tracking Endangered Jaguars with Sergio Avila

Danish physical chemist born in Varde (1879-1947). In 1906, Brønsted published his first paper on electron affinity. In 1923, he suggested the protonic theory of acid-base reactions, and later became an authority on catalysis by acids and bases. The Brønsted catalysis equation is named for him. He also developed the theory of proton donors during ionization. For further information see Johannes Brønsted.

Used in the following modules: Acids and Bases

A substance that when added to solution compensates for any change in hydrogen ion concentration following the addition of an acid or a base, and thus maintains a relatively constant pH. Buffers can react with and neutralize small amounts of either acids or bases.

The upward pressure exerted on an object by a fluid in which the object rests.  

Used in the following modules: Density

American scientist and statesman, born in Everett, Massachusetts (1890-1974). Bush did seminal work in analog computing, and founded the American Appliance Company, later renamed Raytheon. In 1939 he was appointed chairman of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and began advocating for the establishment of a federal agency to coordinate scientific research, especially as related to military and defense needs. The effort would eventually lead to the creation of the National Science Foundation in 1950. For further information see: Vannevar Bush.

Used in the following modules: Scientific Communication: Utilizing the Scientific Literature, Scientific Institutions and Societies