Trees: Glossary

A

abundant

plenty

atmosphere

the gases surrounding our planet

B

bark

the strong outer layer of the trunk of a tree

breathe

the process that brings oxygen into our lungs and expels carbon dioxide

C

camouflage

to hide by blending in with surroundings

carbon dioxide

a poisonous gas in our atmosphere

chemicals

a substance with a specific molecular structure - used in chemistry

chlorophyll

the green chemical in plants which helps them create their own food

complex

complicated

condense

water that changes from vapor back to liquid

coniferous

trees that grow pine cones

consequences

results

crucial

important

D

deciduous

trees that grow leaves

deforestation

the process where forests are destroyed

droughts

a lack of rain water for a season

E

endangered

in danger of becoming extinct or non-existent

erosion

the moving of soil by wind, rain, or other

evaporate

a process of the water cycle where water turns to vapor

evergreen

trees that stay green all year

exhale

part of the breathing process - emits carbon dioxide

F

factories

places where products are created

filter

to separate out

fungus

a group of organisms that includes yeast and mold

G

gravity

the natural attraction of objects on each other - specifically the attraction that keeps matter on the earth

H

high blood pressure

the pressure of blood being pushed against the body's blood vessels too strongly

I

industries

businesses

M

mature

grown to an age required for a specific purpose

medicine

products that work to cure or improve health

mining

the act of removing valuable resources from the ground, such as coal or gold

N

needles

part of a tree similar to a leaf, but long and thin and grows in clumps

nourish

feed

O

oxygen

gas found in the atmosphere that most living organisms need to survive

P

particles

small pieces

photosynthesis

the process used by plants to convert sunlight into sugar

pollutants

unhealthy particles in the air

precipitation

rain, snow, hail, or sleet

predators

animals that hunt other animals

protection

keep safe

R

resources

a source or supply of something needed

rigid

unbending - strong

S

species

a group of related life

stress

physical, mental or emotional response to events

surgery

an operation

T

transpiration

the giving off of moisture by plants - similar to breathing

W

water cycle

the process by which water changes to water vapor through evaporation, condenses, and then falls back to the earth as precipitation

wildlife

plants and animals that are not tame

windbreak

a growth of plants - often in a row - meant to slow the effects of wind