Environmental Science Terms

Front

Biofuel

Back

Biofuel is fuel made from plants or animals. It’s a renewable energy source that we can keep producing, unlike fossil fuels, which will eventually run out.

Front

Biomass

Back

Biomass is any material that comes from living or recently living plants and animals. It can be used to produce energy, like burning wood for heat.

Front

Cellulose

Back

Cellulose is a tough, fibrous material in the cell walls of plants that helps them stay strong and upright. It’s the main part of paper and wood.

Front

Chlorophyll

Back

Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that helps them absorb sunlight to make their own food through photosynthesis.

Front

Chloroplast

Back

Chloroplasts are tiny structures inside plant cells that contain chlorophyll and are where photosynthesis happens.

Front

Matter

Back

Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass. Everything around us—like water, air, and our bodies—is made of matter.

Front

Photosynthesis

Back

Photosynthesis is the process plants use to turn sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into food (sugar) and oxygen.

Front

Producer

Back

A producer is an organism, like a plant, that makes its own food. Producers are at the bottom of the food chain.

Front

Carbohydrate

Back

Carbohydrates are nutrients that provide energy. They are found in foods like bread, pasta, and fruit and are made by plants during photosynthesis.

Front

Cellular Respiration

Back

Cellular respiration is the process by which cells break down sugar to release energy, which they use to function.