Bio Ch 1-4 Vocab Flashcards
species
unique type of organism. defined by genus and specific epithet
biology
the scientific study of life
atoms
smallest unit of matter
molecules
consists of atoms that are bonded together
cell
smallest unit of life
organisms
individual consisting of one or more cells
tissues
consists of specific types of cells organized in a particular pattern
organs
a structure composed of tissues that carry out a task or set of tasks
organ systems
set of interacting organs and tissues that fulfill one or more body functions
population
group of interbreeding individuals of the same species living in a given area
community
consists of all populations of all species in a given area
ecosystem
a community interacting with its physical and chemical environment through the transfer of energy and materials
biosphere
sum of all ecosystems, encompasses all regions of Earth’s crust, waters, and atmosphere in which organisms live
nutrients
a substance an organism needs for growth and survival but cannot make for itself
producers
makes its own food using energy and simple raw materials it obtains from nonbiological sources
photosynthesis
process in which plants use energy of sunlight to make sugars from carbon dioxide and water
consumers
obtains energy and nutrients by feeding on other organisms`
homeostasis
process of sensing and adjusting to change to keep conditions within internal environment within ranges of cell survival
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid
development
process by which the first cell of a new individual gives rise to an adult
growth
increase in cell number, size, and volume
reproduction
processes by which individuals produce offspring
inheritance
transmission of DNA to offspring
bacteria
largest, most diverse and well-known group of prokaryotes
archaea
group of prokaryotes that are more closely related to eukaryotes than to bacteria
prokaryotes
organisms with no nucleus
eukaryotes
organisms whose cell characteristics have a nucleus
protists
general term for a eukaryotic organism that cannot be classified as an animal, plant, or fungus.
plants
multicelled eukaryotes
-majority are photosynthetic producers
fungi
single or multicelled eukaryotic consumer
-breaks down material outside itself. then absorbs nutrients released from the breakdown
animals
multicelled eukaryotic consumer made up of unwalled cells and develops through series of stages
taxonomy
practice of naming, describing and classifying species
genus
a group of species that share a unique set of traits
traits
inherited characteristics
taxa
group or level of organization into which organisms are classified
critical thinking
the act of evaluating information before accepting it
science
systematic study of the observable world
hypothesis
testable explanation for a natural phenomenon
prediction
statement about a condition that should reasonably occur if the hypothesis is correct
experiment
procedure designed to evaluate a prediction; typically yields data
variables
experimental factor that varies
data
factual information collected from experiments or observations of the natural world
experimental group
a group of individuals who have a certain characteristic or receive a certain treatment
control group
group identical to experimental group except for the variable under investigation
model
analogous system in an experiment; tested in place of another subject
scientific method
A series of steps followed to solve problems including collecting data, formulating a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, and stating conclusions.
sampling error
difference between results obtained from a subset, and results obtained from the whole
probability
the measure, expressed as a percentage, of the chance that a particular outcome will occur
statistically significant
a result that is statistically unlikely to have occurred by chance alone
scientific theory
a hypothesis that stands after many years of systematic testing
law of nature
a consistent natural phenomenon that has an incomplete scientific explanation
pseudoscience
claims, arguments, or methods that are presented as science, but do not follow scientific principles
electrons
negatively charged subatomic particles
nucleus
central core of every atom
protons
positively charged subatomic particles
neutrons
uncharged subatomic particles
atomic number
the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
element
pure substances that consists only of atoms with the same number of protons
isotopes
Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons
mass number (atomic mass)
Number of protons and neutrons
tracers
any substance with a detectable component - such as a radioisotope
radioisotopes
an isotope with an unstable nucleus
radioactive decay
process in which a nucleus breaks up and emits radiation
shell model
conceptual diagram of electron distribution in an atom
ion
atom or molecule that carries a net charge
free radical
atom with an unpaired electron
chemical bonds
strong attractive force between two atoms
compound
molecule that has atoms of more than one element
ionic bond
A chemical bond resulting from the attraction between oppositely charged ions.