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🔬 Science & Innovation Vocabulary for IELTS & TOEFL
Essential vocabulary for IELTS/TOEFL discussions on scientific research, breakthroughs, and technological innovation.
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hypothesis noun — a proposed explanation or theory based on limited evidence as a starting point for investigation
“The researcher formulated a hypothesis that climate change accelerates species extinction.” ↗ theory
“The researcher formulated a hypothesis that climate change accelerates species extinction.” ↗ theory
empirical adjective — based on observation, experience, or experiment rather than theory alone
“Empirical evidence demonstrates that the vaccine significantly reduces infection rates.” ↗ experimental
“Empirical evidence demonstrates that the vaccine significantly reduces infection rates.” ↗ experimental
paradigm noun — a typical example or pattern of something; a model or framework for understanding
“The shift to quantum physics represented a fundamental paradigm change in science.” ↗ framework
“The shift to quantum physics represented a fundamental paradigm change in science.” ↗ framework
catalyst noun — a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction; an agent that precipitates change
“Technological innovation was the catalyst for the industrial revolution.” ↗ accelerant
“Technological innovation was the catalyst for the industrial revolution.” ↗ accelerant
iteration noun — the repetition of a process, refined each time to improve the result
“After multiple iterations of testing, scientists refined the drug formulation.” ↗ repetition
“After multiple iterations of testing, scientists refined the drug formulation.” ↗ repetition
genome noun — the complete set of genetic material in an organism
“Mapping the human genome enabled personalized medicine tailored to genetic profiles.” ↗ genetics
“Mapping the human genome enabled personalized medicine tailored to genetic profiles.” ↗ genetics
protocol noun — a procedure or set of rules governing scientific experiments and research
“Researchers must follow strict ethical protocols when conducting human trials.” ↗ procedure
“Researchers must follow strict ethical protocols when conducting human trials.” ↗ procedure
variables noun — factors or elements that can change and affect experimental outcomes
“Controlling variables was essential to ensure the validity of the experiment.” ↗ factors
“Controlling variables was essential to ensure the validity of the experiment.” ↗ factors
replicate verb — to repeat or reproduce an experiment to verify its findings
“Independent laboratories replicated the groundbreaking results to confirm validity.” ↗ reproduce
“Independent laboratories replicated the groundbreaking results to confirm validity.” ↗ reproduce
analyze verb — to examine something in detail to understand its components and function
“Scientists analyze data sets to identify patterns and correlations.” ↗ examine
“Scientists analyze data sets to identify patterns and correlations.” ↗ examine
topology noun — the arrangement and spatial relationships of geological or astronomical features
“The topology of the cave system revealed its formation over millennia.” ↗ structure
“The topology of the cave system revealed its formation over millennia.” ↗ structure
algorithm noun — a step-by-step procedure or formula for solving a problem or task
“Machine learning algorithms can now detect diseases from medical imaging faster than experts.” ↗ procedure
“Machine learning algorithms can now detect diseases from medical imaging faster than experts.” ↗ procedure
mutation noun — a change in the DNA sequence that may result in genetic variation
“A beneficial mutation in the virus made it less virulent over generations.” ↗ variation
“A beneficial mutation in the virus made it less virulent over generations.” ↗ variation
biodiversity noun — the variety of plant and animal species in a particular environment
“Rainforests exhibit extraordinary biodiversity, housing millions of species.” ↗ variety
“Rainforests exhibit extraordinary biodiversity, housing millions of species.” ↗ variety
mechanism noun — the way something works or the process by which something happens
“Scientists discovered the mechanism by which the immune system identifies pathogens.” ↗ process
“Scientists discovered the mechanism by which the immune system identifies pathogens.” ↗ process
synthesis noun — the combination of components to create a new compound or concept
“The synthesis of novel materials in the lab produced unexpected superconductor properties.” ↗ combination
“The synthesis of novel materials in the lab produced unexpected superconductor properties.” ↗ combination
extrapolate verb — to estimate or infer beyond known data using patterns and trends
“Climate scientists extrapolate future temperature increases based on current emissions.” ↗ project
“Climate scientists extrapolate future temperature increases based on current emissions.” ↗ project
contamination noun — the presence of unwanted or harmful substances in a sample or environment
“Contamination of the water supply forced the city to issue boiling advisories.” ↗ pollution
“Contamination of the water supply forced the city to issue boiling advisories.” ↗ pollution
osmosis noun — the movement of solvent particles through a semipermeable membrane to equalize concentration
“Osmosis explains how plants absorb water from soil through their roots.” ↗ diffusion
“Osmosis explains how plants absorb water from soil through their roots.” ↗ diffusion
velocity noun — the speed of something in a given direction
“The asteroid's velocity increased as it approached Earth due to gravitational pull.” ↗ speed
“The asteroid's velocity increased as it approached Earth due to gravitational pull.” ↗ speed
traverse verb — to travel across or through something; to move over a distance
“The rover will traverse the Martian landscape to collect geological samples.” ↗ cross
“The rover will traverse the Martian landscape to collect geological samples.” ↗ cross
substrate noun — a surface or material on which a process occurs; the base layer in biology
“Bacteria colonize the substrate on the ocean floor, forming unique ecosystems.” ↗ base
“Bacteria colonize the substrate on the ocean floor, forming unique ecosystems.” ↗ base