In this article, you’ll discover a comprehensive list of science-related words that start with the letter P.
- Photosynthesis- Process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.
- Proton- A subatomic particle with a positive electric charge found in the nucleus of an atom.
- Physics- The branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy.
- Paleontology- The scientific study of life in the geologic past involving the analysis of plant and animal fossils.
- Pathogen- An organism that causes disease.
- Polymer- A substance with a molecular structure consisting chiefly or entirely of a large number of similar units bonded together.
- Phagocyte- A type of cell within the body capable of engulfing and absorbing bacteria and other small cells and particles.
- Phylum- A principal taxonomic category that ranks above class and below kingdom.
- Pangaea- A supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras.
- Placenta- An organ in mammals that nourishes and maintains the fetus through the umbilical cord.
- Pancreas- A large gland behind the stomach that secretes digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin.
- Phenotype- The set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
- Permafrost- Ground, including rock or soil, that remains at or below the freezing point of water for two or more years.
- Parasitism- A non-mutual relationship between species, where one species, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the host.
- Photovoltaic- Relating to the conversion of light into electricity.
- Pyroclastic- Relating to, consisting of, or denoting fragments of rock erupted by a volcano.
- Pollination- Transfer of pollen from the male structure to the female structure of plants.
- Photosphere- The luminous envelope of a star from which its light and heat radiate.
- Paleomagnetism- The study of the record of the Earth’s magnetic field in rocks, sediment, or archeological materials.
- Phosphorescence- Light emitted by a substance without combustion or perceptible heat.
- Population- A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular geographic area.
- Pathology- The scientific study of disease.
- Phospholipid- A lipid containing a phosphate group in its molecule.
- Protist- Any of a diverse taxonomic group of unicellular and multicellular eukaryotic organisms.
- Plasmodium- A genus of parasitic protozoa, some of which cause malaria in humans.
- Potassium- A chemical element with symbol K and atomic number 19, essential for many vital functions in organisms.
- Precipitation- Any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from clouds and reaches the ground.
- Peristalsis- The involuntary constriction and relaxation of muscles in the intestine or another canal, creating wave-like movements.
- Pedology- The study of soils in their natural environment.
- Paleoclimatology- The study of changes in climate taken on the scale of the entire history of Earth.
- Pathophysiology- The study of the disordered physiological processes associated with disease or injury.
- Parasympathetic- Relating to the part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for rest and digestion.
- Pharmacology- The branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action.
- Permafrost- Permanently frozen layer of soil beneath the earth’s surface.
- Polarity- The property of having poles or being polar.
- Positron- The antiparticle or the antimatter counterpart of the electron.
- Pheromone- A chemical substance produced and released into the environment by an animal.
- Plutonium- A radioactive chemical element with symbol Pu and atomic number 94.
- Pathogen- A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
- Paleobiology- The study of ancient life, with a focus on how organisms lived and interacted with their environments.
- Pentane- An alkane with five carbon atoms.
- Pyrotechnics- The science and technology of fireworks and related materials.
- Plasma- The colorless fluid part of blood.
- Protostar- A large mass that forms by contraction out of the gas of a giant molecular cloud in the interstellar medium.
- Petroleum- A naturally occurring, yellow-to-black liquid found in geological formations.
- Potential energy- Energy possessed by an object due to its position relative to others.
- Polymerase- An enzyme that synthesizes long chains of polymers or nucleic acids.
- Prebiotic- Relating to chemical processes and substances that predate the origin of life.
- Polymorphism- The occurrence of different forms among the members of a population.
- Precipitate- A solid that forms and settles out of a liquid mixture.
- Pneumatics- The branch of physics or technology concerned with the mechanical properties of gases.
- Protistology- The study of protists.
- Propane- A three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula C3H8.
- Peptide- Short chains of amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds.
- Phosphorylation- The addition of a phosphate group to a molecule.
- Proteomics- The large-scale study of proteomes.
- Pteridology- The study of ferns and related plants.
- Positron emission tomography- A scanning method that produces a three-dimensional image of functional processes in the body.
- Particulate matter- A mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.
- Paleogeography- The study of historical geography.
- Plankton- Drifting organisms in the water column unable to swim against a current.
- Phagocytosis- The process by which a cell engulfs particles such as bacteria.
- Protactinium- A chemical element with symbol Pa and atomic number 91.
- Polarity- The condition of having distinct and opposite charges.
- Pollen- Fine particles produced by plants, necessary for the fertilization process.
- Pharmacokinetics- The study of how drugs move through the body.
- Pathogenesis- The origin and development of a disease.
- Photic zone- The upper layer of a body of water that receives sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis.
- Platyhelminthes- A phylum of relatively simple bilaterian, unsegmented, soft-bodied invertebrates, also known as flatworms.
- Photosystem- A biochemical system in plants that is involved in capturing light for photosynthesis.
- Prefrontal cortex- The front part of the brain involved in decision making and complex cognitive behavior.
- Protostome- An organism characterized by its embryonic development where the mouth forms before the anus.
- Palliative care- Specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness, focused on providing relief from symptoms and stress.
- Palynology- The study of dust or particles that are dispersed through the air, including pollen and spores.
- Parturition- The act of giving birth.
- Perigee- The point in the orbit of an object where it is closest to the Earth.
- Petrography- The study of the description and classification of rocks.
- Phonon- A quantum of energy associated with vibrations within a crystalline lattice.
- Phyllotaxis- The arrangement of leaves on a plant stem.
- Physiology- The scientific study of the functions and mechanisms in a living system.
- Polynucleotide- A polymer consisting of many nucleotide monomers.
- Phylogeny- The evolutionary history and the relationships among a species or group of species.
- Peroxisome- A small organelle present in the cytoplasm of many cells, which contains the reducing enzyme catalase.
- Pulsar- A highly magnetized rotating neutron star that emits beams of electromagnetic radiation.
- Plasmid- A small DNA molecule within a cell that is physically separated from chromosomal DNA and can replicate independently.
- Potential difference- The difference in electric potential between two points in a circuit.
- Pleura- A membrane that envelops the lungs and lines the chest cavity.
- Phosphor- A substance that exhibits the phenomenon of luminescence.
- Photochemistry- The branch of chemistry concerned with the chemical effects of light.
- Pollutant- A substance that contaminates the environment.
- Protozoa- Single-celled microscopic organisms that can be free-living or parasitic.
- Paramagnetism- The form of magnetism whereby certain materials are weakly attracted by an externally applied magnetic field.
- Purine- A type of organic molecule, commonly found in DNA and RNA.
- Perception- The process by which organisms interpret and organize sensory information.
- Piezoelectricity- Electric charge that accumulates in certain materials in response to applied mechanical stress.
- Phalanx- A bone of the finger or toe.
- Pulsation- A rhythmic throbbing or vibrating, e.g., in arteries or the heart.
- Phytoremediation- The use of plants to clean up soil, air, and water contaminated with hazardous contaminants.
- Polymerization- A chemical process that combines several monomers to form a polymer.
- Polygyny- A pattern of mating in which a male animal has more than one female mate.