Essential Vocabulary for TOEFL - Biology, Physics, and Chemistry

Here you will learn some English words about biology, physics, and chemistry, such as "organism", "matter", "element", etc. that are needed for the TOEFL exam.

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biology [noun]

the scientific study of living organisms; the science that studies living organisms

Ex: His biology professor was renowned for research in genetic engineering .

reproduction [noun]

the biological process by which organisms produce new individuals, either sexually through gamete fusion or asexually by mechanisms such as budding, fission, or spore formation

Ex:

metabolism [noun]

the chemical processes through which food is changed into energy for the body to use

Ex: The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism by producing hormones that control metabolic rate .

organism [noun]

a living thing such as a plant, animal, etc., especially a very small one that lives on its own

Ex: The rainforest teems with diverse organisms , from insects to mammals .

life cycle [noun]

all the different stages of grow and development of a living organism

Ex: Plants have a unique life cycle that involves seeds , growth , and reproduction .

molecule [noun]

the smallest structure of a substance consisting of a group of atoms

Ex: Some molecules are simple , like oxygen , which is made of two oxygen atoms .

molecular [adjective]

consisting of or relating to molecules, which are groups of atoms bonded together

Ex: The field of molecular chemistry investigates the chemical reactions and properties of molecules .

matter [noun]

a physical substance that occupies space and exists in every material in the universe

Ex: In the universe , matter exists in various forms , including stars and planets .

chemistry [noun]

the branch of science that is concerned with studying the structure of substances and the way that they change or combine with each other

Ex: Understanding the basics of chemistry is essential for many scientific careers .

element [noun]

a substance that is composed of only one type of atom, typically characterized by specific physical and chemical properties

Ex:

evolution [noun]

(biology) the slow and gradual development of living things throughout the history of the earth

Ex: The study of evolution helps scientists understand the diversity of life on Earth and how organisms are interconnected through common ancestry .

property [noun]

a feature or quality of something

Ex: Location is often cited as the most important property factor when buying real estate .

photosynthesis [noun]

a process in green plants during which the plant synthesizes using water and carbon dioxide

Ex: The efficiency of photosynthesis drops in extreme heat or drought .

DNA [noun]

(biochemistry) a chemical substance that carries the genetic information, which is present in every cell and some viruses

Ex: DNA carries the information that determines traits like eye color and height .

gene [noun]

(genetics) a basic unit of heredity and a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is located on a chromosome in a cell and controls a particular quality

Ex:

to react [verb]

(physics) to be subject to physical or chemical change

Ex: In a combustion reaction , hydrocarbons react with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water .

fiber [noun]

any strand of muscle or nervous tissues

Ex:

particle [noun]

(physics) any of the smallest units that energy or matter consists of, such as electrons, atoms, molecules, etc.

Ex:

compound [noun]

(chemistry) a substance that its molecules consist of two or more elements that are held together by a chemical bond

Ex: The chemical bond in a compound holds the atoms together tightly .

bond [noun]

a link that holds atoms or ions together in any molecule or crystal

Ex:

atomic [adjective]

related to atoms, the smallest units of matter, including their structure, properties, and interactions

Ex:

nerve [noun]

each of a group of long thread-like structures in the body that carry messages between the brain and other parts of the body, sensing things is a result of this process

parasite [noun]

(biology) a small organism that lives on or inside another organism, called a host, and is dependent on it for nutrition and growth

Ex: Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium , which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito .

instinct [noun]

a natural reaction or behavior that occurs automatically, without conscious thought or reasoning

Ex: His instinct to help others kicked in when he saw the car accident on the highway .

acid [noun]

a water-soluble chemical substance that contains Hydrogen and has a sour taste or corrosive feature with a PH less than 7

Ex: Vinegar is an example of a weak acid known as acetic acid , which is commonly used in cooking and cleaning .

electron [noun]

a small particle in an atom with negative charge

Ex: The number of electrons determines an element 's chemical properties .

vapor [noun]

extremely small drops of liquid in the air, resulted from the heating of the liquid

Ex: The cool air combined with the warm water to create a thick vapor in the bathroom after the shower .

glucose [noun]

a basic kind of sugar that is a component of carbohydrates and provides energy for many living organisms

carbon [noun]

a nonmetal element that can be found in all organic compounds and living things

Ex: The carbon in the atmosphere plays a crucial role in the greenhouse effect .

calcium [noun]

a soft silver-white metal that is an important element in bones and teeth

nitrogen [noun]

one the most common elements in Earth's atmosphere

to dissolve [verb]

(of a solid) to become one with a liquid

Ex: The salt has completely dissolved into the soup .

Essential Vocabulary for TOEFL
Family and Relationships	Stages of Life	Personal Characteristics	Feelings and Emotions
Appearance	Clothing and Fashion	Colors and Shapes	Education
Employment	Language and Grammar	The Human Body	Communication
Travel and Tourism	Transportation	Means of Transportation	The Computer World
Society and Social Issues	Healthcare and Medicine	Medical Examinations and Procedures	Physical Conditions and Injuries
Mental Disorders	Physical Disabilities and Illnesses	Geography	Space
The Environment and Weather	The Animal Kingdom	The Art World	Cinema and Theater
Music	Literature	Broadcasting and Journalism	Food and Restaurant
Diet	Agriculture and Plants	Point of View	Cause and Effect
Certainty and Doubt	Suggestions and Rules	Pride and Prejudice	Houses and Buildings
Hobbies and Games	Shopping	The Economy	The Business World
Success and Failure	Politics	Law and Order	Crime and Punishment
War and Peace	Religion	Biology, Physics, and Chemistry	Mathematics and Measurement
Engineering and Research	Athletics	Time and History