Mtel Science: Mass Frameworks Glossary

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modification of an organism or its parts that makes it more fit for existence under the condtions of its environment

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adaptation

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the gaseous envelope of a celestial body (as a planet)

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atmosphere

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Any technique that uses living organisms, or parts of organisms, to
make or modify products, improve plants or animals, or to develop microorganisms for
specific uses.

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biotechnology

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the average course or condition of the weather at a place usually over a period
of years as exhibited by temperature, wind velocity, and precipitation.

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climate

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The successful transmission of information through a common system
of symbols, signs, behavior, speech, writing, or signals.

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communication

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A material capable of transmitting another form of energy (as heat or
sound).

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conductor

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A limit to the design process. These may be such things as appearance,
funding, space materials, and human capabilities.

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constraint

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The systematic act or process of building, erecting, or constructing
buildings, roads, or other structures.

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construction

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An organism requiring complex organic compounds for food which it
obtains by preying on other organisms or by eating particles of organic matter.

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Consumer

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Any of various organisms (as many bacteria and fungi) that return constituents
of organic substances to ecological cycles by feeding on and breaking down dead
protoplasm.

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Decomposers

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An iterative decision-making process that produces plans by which resources
are converted into products or systems that meet human needs and wants or solve problems.

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Design

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A written plan that identifies a problem to be solved, its criteria, and its
constraints. This is used to encourage thinking of all aspects of a problem
before attempting a solution.

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Design Brief

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A systematic problem solving strategy, with criteria and constraints,
used to develop many possible solutions to solve a problem or satisfy human needs and
wants and to winnow (narrow) down the possible solutions to one final choice.

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Design Process

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The complex of a community of organisms and its environment functioning
as an ecological unit.

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Ecosystem

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The complete path of an electric current including usually the source
of electric energy.

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Electric Circuit

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A flow of electric charge.

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Electric Current

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The capacity for doing work.

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Energy

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A person who is trained in and uses technological and scientific knowledge
to solve practical problems.

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Engineer