Ch. 1 Key Terms

Question 1

Biology

Answer 1

the study of life

Question 2

Hypothesis

Answer 2

a testable, possible explanation for an observation

Question 3

Theory

Answer 3

a highly tested and confirmed hypothesis

Question 4

Natural Science

Answer 4

field of science related to the physical world and its phenomena

Question 5

Life Science

Answer 5

field of science that studies living things

Question 6

Inductive Reasoning

Answer 6

type of reasoning that involves making a generalization based on observation

Question 7

Deductive Reasoning

Answer 7

type of reasoning that applies an existing generalization to make a prediction

Question 8

Physical Science

Answer 8

field of science that studies nonliving things

Question 9

Descriptive Science

Answer 9

form of science that aims to observe, explore, and investigate

Question 10

Falsifiable (hypothesis)

Answer 10

able to be disproven by experimental results

Question 11

Variable

Answer 11

part of an experiment that changes

Question 12

Control Group

Answer 12

part of the experiment that does not change

Question 13

Basic Science

Answer 13

science that involves the acquisition of knowledge and understanding for its own sake

Question 14

Applied Science

Answer 14

science that aims to solve real-world problems

Question 15

Serendipity

Answer 15

fortunate accident or lucky surprise

Question 16

Peer-Reviewed Manuscript

Answer 16

scientific paper reviewed by colleagues who are experts in the field of study

Question 17

Sections of a Scientific Paper

Answer 17

abstract, introduction, materials/methods, results, discussion

Question 18

Review Article

Answer 18

paper that summarizes and comments on
findings that were published as primary literature

Question 19

Characteristics of All Life

Answer 19

order, sensitivity, reproduction, adaption, growth/development, homeostasis, energy processing, evolution

Question 20

Atom

Answer 20

smallest and most fundamental unit of matter

Question 21

Molecule

Answer 21

chemical structure consisting of at least two
atoms held together by one or more chemical bonds

Question 22

Macromolecule

Answer 22

large molecule, typically formed by the joining of smaller molecules

Question 23

Organelles

Answer 23

small structures within cells that carry out specific functions

Question 24

Cell

Answer 24

smallest and most fundamental unit of structure in living things

Question 25

Prokaryote

Answer 25

single-celled organism that lacks a membrane-nucleus and organelles

Question 26

Eukaryote

Answer 26

organism with cells that have nuclei and membrane-bound organelles

Question 27

Tissues

Answer 27

group of similar cells carrying out related functions

Question 28

Organ

Answer 28

collection of related tissues grouped together performing a common function

Question 29

Organ System

Answer 29

level of organization that consists of
functionally related interacting organs

Question 30

Organism

Answer 30

an individual living entity

Question 31

Population

Answer 31

all the individuals of a species living in the same area

Question 32

Community

Answer 32

a group of populations in a particular area

Question 33

Ecosystem

Answer 33

all the living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, nonliving parts of that environment

Question 34

Biosphere

Answer 34

the collection of all ecosystems on Earth

Question 35

Molecular Biology

Answer 35

the study of biological processes at the molecular level

Question 36

Biochemistry

Answer 36

the study of the chemistry of biological organisms

Question 37

Microbiology

Answer 37

study of the structure and function of
microorganisms

Question 38

Neurobiology

Answer 38

the study of the nervous system

Question 39

Paleontology

Answer 39

the study of life’s history using fossils

Question 40

Zoology

Answer 40

the study of animals

Question 41

Botany

Answer 41

the study of plants