Z

zoo - n. a place where animals are kept for the public to look at and study

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Common Prefixes

dis - not (dishonest, disobey)

pro - for, supporting (pro-labor, pro-government)

re - to do again (reorganize, reunite)

self - used to show that the person or group acting is the one affected by the action, or to show that the action is done only by its own effort or power (self-declared, self-appointed)

un - not (unusual, unhappy)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Common Expressions

carry out - to do; to put into effect ("Please carry out the plan.")

pass a bill - approve ("Congress is expected to pass a bill to cut taxes.")

take steps - to start to do something ("The government will take steps to halt inflation.")

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Words Used in VOA Special English Science Programs

atom - a very small part of all things; the smallest part of an element that can join with parts of other elements

bacteria - living things that are one cell and can be seen only through a microscope; some cause disease

cell - a small mass of living material that is part of all plants and animals

chromosome - a line of genes; most human cells contain 46 chromosomes

compound - a substance containing two or more elements

dense - close together; thick

electron - a small part of an atom that has an electrical force

element - one of more than 100 substances known to science that cannot be separated into other substances

enzyme - a special kind of protein; it produces changes in other substances without being changed itself

fetus - unborn young

fission - a splitting; in atomic fission, the nucleus of an atom is split to produce nuclear energy

fusion - a joining together; in atomic fusion, atomic particles are joined together to produce nuclear energy

genes - parts of cells that control the growth and development of living things; genes from the mother and father are passed to the child; genes contain nucleic acid

genetic engineering - the science of changing the genes of a living organism

gravity - the force that pulls things toward the center of the earth

image - a reproduction of the appearance of a person or thing

laser - an instrument that makes a thin, powerful light

magnet - a piece of iron or other material that has a pulling force; this pulling force is called magnetism

molecule - the smallest amount of a chemical substance that can exist

nerve - a thin piece of tissue that sends information through the body to and from the brain

nucleus - the center part of an atom or cell

nucleic acid - a molecule that holds the genetic information necessary for life; there are two kinds of nucleic acid: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid)

nutrient - a food or substance that makes plants, humans or animals grow

organ - a part of the body that has a special purpose, such as the heart or brain

organism - a living thing, often so small it can be seen only through a microscope

particle - a very small piece of matter

proteins - substances responsible for the growth of tissue and for fixing damaged tissue

robot - a machine that moves and performs tasks

tissue - living material; a group of cells that are similar in appearance and do the same thing

virus - a kind of organism that causes disease

x-rays - a kind of radiation that can pass through most solid materials, often used in medicine

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Organs of the Body

heart - pumps blood through the body

intestines - tubes through which food passes after it is broken down in the stomach; part of the intestines also remove solid wastes from the body

kidney - cleans liquid wastes from the body

liver - makes some proteins and enzymes; removes poisons from the blood

lung - takes in and expels air from the body

prostate - a part of the male reproductive system

stomach - breaks down food for the body to use

uterus - a part of the female reproductive system where a fetus develops