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labor
physiological and physical changes a female goes through
during the birthing process.
lake
Natural or human-made body of water that can form when a
depression on land fills with water.
landslide
Rapid downslope movement of a mass of loose soil, rock, or
debris that has separated from the bedrock; can be triggered by
an earthquake.
large intestine
muscular tube through which indigestible materials are passed
to the rectum for excretion.
larva
in insects, the free-living, wormlike stage of metamorphosis,
often called a caterpillar.
laser
A device that produces powerful, coherent, directional,
monochromatic light that can be used to excite other atoms; the
acronym stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of
radiation.
latent heat
Stored energy in water vapor that is not released to warm the
atmosphere until condensation takes place.
latitude
Distance in degrees north and south of the equator.
lava
Magma that flows out onto Earth’s surface.
law
Basic fact that describes the behavior of a natural phenomenon.
law of conservation of energy
States that in any chemical or physical process, energy may
change from one form to another but it is neither created nor
destroyed.
law of conservation of mass
States that mass is neither created nor destroyed during a
chemical reaction but is conserved.
Le Système International
D’Unités (SI)
Modern version of the metric system based on a decimal
system using the number 10 as the base unit; includes the meter
(m), liter (L), second (s), and kilogram (kg).
leaf
the plant organ that grows from a stem in which photosynthesis
usually occurs.
lens
A piece of transparent material, such as glass or plastic, that is
used to focus light and form an image.
lever arm
The perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to the point
where force is exerted.
Lewis structure
A model that uses electron-dot structures to show how
electrons are arranged in molecules. Pairs of dots or lines
represent bonding pairs.
ligament
tough band of connective tissue that attaches one bone to
another; joints are often held together and enclosed by
ligaments.
limiting factor
any biotic or abiotic factor that restricts the existence, numbers,
reproduction, or distribution of organisms.
limiting reactant
A reactant that is totally consumed during a chemical reaction,
limits the extent of the reaction, and determines the amount of
product.
lipids
large organic compounds made mostly of carbon and hydrogen
with a small amount of oxygen; examples are fats, oils, waxes,
and steroids; are insoluble in water and used by cells for energy
storage, insulation, and protective coatings, such as in
membranes.
lithification
Transformation of sediments into rock through compaction and
cementation.
lithosphere
Earth’s rigid outer shell, including the crust and the solid,
uppermost part of the mantle.
liver
large, complex organ of the digestive system that produces
many chemicals for digestion, including bile.
longitude
luminosity
Distance in degrees east and west of the prime meridian.
Energy output from the surface of a star per second; measured
in watts.
lunar eclipse
Occurs only during a full moon, when Earth passes between the
Sun and the Moon, and Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon.
lymph node
small mass of tissue that contains lymphocytes and filters
pathogens from the lymph; made of a network of connective
tissue fibers that contain lymphocytes.
lymphocyte
type of white blood cell stored in lymph nodes that defends the
body against foreign agents.