| Carbon dioxide |
A gas found in the air that consists of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. |
| Carbohydrat(s) |
Substances containing only carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, found in plants and animals eg sugars, starch and cellulose (part of fibre). Carbohydrates are one of the nutrients essential to life in humans. |
| Centrifuge |
A 'spin-drier' type machine that rotates at very high speeds, designed to separate solids from liquids. |
| Chlorophyll |
Green pigment that helps plants to make sugar from carbon dioxide and water using energy from sunlight. |
| Crusaders |
Christian soldiers who went to try to recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims during the Middle Ages. |
| Crystallisation |
Formation of crystals from a concentrated liquid. |
| Cultivate |
To prepare and use land for growing crops. |
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| Extraction |
Separating one material from another, for example sugar from sugar beet.
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| Fallow |
Land that is left unplanted so that it can regain its fertility. |
| Fertiliser |
A substance which is added to soil and provides extra nutrients to help plants grow. |
| Filter |
A device to separate liquids from solids. Filters are made from paper, sand, charcoal etc. |
| Fructose |
A type of sugar found in fruits and honey. |
| Glucose |
A type of sugar found in fruits, vegetables and honey, and the main carbohydrate in the human body. |
| Hectare |
10,000 square metres (e.g. about the size of two football pitches). |
| Herbicides |
Substances which control weeds (growing in crops). |
| Lime (chalk) |
A substance containing calcium used in the cleaning of sugar. |
| Minerals |
Nutrients needed in small amounts by plants and animals in order for them to function. |
| Molasses |
The dark, sweet syrup, remaining after sugar has been crystallised. |
| New World |
The name given to the Americas after Columbus discovered them in 1492. |
| Nutrients |
Substances which are vital for growth and a healthy body, such as protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. |
| Old World |
Refers to the world as it was known before the Americas were discovered. |
| Penicillin |
A substance which fights bacteria. |
| Photosynthesis |
Process in which energy from sunlight is used by green plants to build up sugars from carbon dioxide and water. |
| Refine |
To process for consumption. |
| Sucrose |
A type of sugar made from one molecule each of glucose and fructose combined. Found in most fruits and vegetables and in sugar beet and sugar cane. |
| Temperate |
Describes climates with mild temperatures and moderate levels of rainfall. |
| Tonne(s) |
Metric ton of 1,000 kg (e.g. about the weight of a small car). |
| Tropical/Semi-tropical |
Describes climates with hot and wet weather. |
| U-boats |
Name given to German submarines, used during World Wars I and II. |
| Vacuum |
Space or vessel containing nothing, not even air. |