a lot of [much or many] 
We had a lot of rain. 
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)
antibodies [special proteins, produced in the blood, that kill hamp3ful bacteria] 
The body's defense system creates different antibodies for each disease it fights. 
atom [a very small part of all things; the smallest part of an element that can join with parts of other elements] 
All matter is made of atoms. 
bacteria [living things that are one cell and can be seen only through a microscope; some cause disease] 
Some bacteria cause disease. 
cell [a small mass of living material that is part of all plants and animals] 
All plants and animals are made of cells. 
chromosome [a line of genes; most human cells contain 46 chromosomes] 
Chromosomes carry the genes that make each of us different. 
compound [a substance containing two or more elements] 
A compound contains two or more chemical elements. 
dense [close together; thick] 
Lead is a dense material. 
electron [a small part of an atom that has an electrical force] 
An electron is a small part of an atom. 
element [one of more than 100 substances known to science that cannot be separated into other substances] 
An element cannot be separated into other substances. 
enzyme [a special kind of protein; it produces changes in other substances without being changed itself] 
An enzyme can change other substances without being changed itself. 
fetus [unborn young] 
A human embryo becomes a fetus after eight weeks. 
fission [a splitting; in atomic fission, the nucleus of an atom is split to produce nuclear energy] 
Nuclear fission splits atoms to produce energy. 
fusion [a joining together; in atomic fusion, atomic particles are joined together to produce nuclear energy] 
Nuclear fusion joins atoms to produce 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] 
Genes in the cell control the growth and development of living things. 
genetic engineering [the science of changing the genes of a living thing] 
Genetic engineering changes the genes of a living organism. 
gravity [the force that pulls things toward the center] 
Gravity is the force that pulls things toward the center. 
image [a reproduction of the appearance of a person or thing] 
An image is a picture of someone or something. 
laser [an instrument that makes a thin, powerful light] 
A laser makes a thin, powerful beam of light. 
magnet [a piece of iron or other material that has a pulling force; this pulling force is called magnetism] 
A magnet pulls on objects of iron or steel. 
molecule [the smallest amount of a chemical substance that can exist] 
A molecule is the smallest part of a chemical substance. 
nerve [a thin piece of tissue that sends infomp3ation through the body to and from the brain] 
Nerves carry infomp3ation between the brain and the other parts of the body. 
nucleic acid [a molecule that holds the genetic infomp3ation necessary for life; there are two kinds of nucleic acid: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid)] 
A molecule of nucleic acid holds the genetic infomp3ation necessary for life. 
nucleus [the center part of an atom or cell] 
The nucleus is the center part of an atom or cell. 
nutrient [a food or substance that makes plants, humans or animals grow] 
Food is a nutrient that makes humans and animals grow. 
organ [a part of the body that has a special purpose, such as the heart or brain] 
The heart and the brain are organs. 
organism [a living thing, often so small it can be seen only through a microscope] 
An organism is a living plant or animal of any size. 
particle [a very small piece of matter] 
A particle is a very small piece of matter.