CH 1 SG Flashcards
Biology
The scientific study of life (from the Greek bios (life) and logia (study of))
List the characteristics of science
- deals with the natural world, which can be detected, observed, and measured.
- is based on evidence from observations and/or experiments.
- is subject to independent validation and peer review.
- is open to challenge by anyone at any time on the basis of evidence.
- is a self-correcting endeavor.
Pseudoscience
Any field of study is falsely presented as presented as having a scientific basis (astrology, cryptozoology, paranormal phenomena, etc.)
Biodiversity
the variety of all living things on Earth, encompassing the different species, genetic variations within those species, and the ecosystems they inhabit (8.7 million)
Latitudinal Biodiversity Gradient
the pattern of increasing species richness from the poles to the equator (the tendency for more species to occur toward the equator)
Taxonomic categories of life
Domain (drunk) - most inclusive
Kingdom (king)
Phylum (phillip)
Class (came)
Order (over)
Family (from)
Genus (great)
Species (spain) - least inclusive
The three domains of life
- Bacteria
- Archaea
- Eukarya
Prokaryotic
a type of cell or organism that lacks a distinct nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles
-no nucleus
-smaller
-single celled
The scientific method
(when studying the natural world, scientist use this process)
-observation
-asking a question
-forming a hypothesis
-conducting an experiment
-collecting data
-analyzing results
-drawing a conclusion
Inductive reasoning
allows the scientist to combine facts into a hypothesis
Scientific theory
concepts that join well-supported and related hypotheses (Explanation of the natural world backed w/ lots of evidence)
Independent variable
the manipulated variable (experimental variable)
Sample size
allows for more accurate representation of the population being studied
Levels of biological organization
-biosphere
-ecosystem
-community
-population
-species
-organism
-organ system
-organ
-tissue
-cells
-molecule
-atoms
Six characteristics common to all life
(1) It is organized.
(2) It requires materials and energy.
(3) It has the ability to reproduce and develop.
(4) It responds to its environment.
(5) It maintains an internal environment.
(6) It has the capacity to adapt to its environment.
Human microbiome
the collective community of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea, that live on and within the human body
Natural selection
-Happens to individuals
-Process where individuals with certain traits (i.e. adaptations) are better at survival and reproduction
Know what it means to be skeptical
Important to be skeptical a skeptic is not the same as a cynic (it’s good to question things)
Types of species on Earth
• Kingdom Protista—split into several supergroups.
• Kingdom Fungi.
• Kingdom Plantae.
• Kingdom Animalia.
Bacteria
are the most diverse and widespread prokaryotes
Eukaryotic
an organism or cell that has a nucleus and other organelles that are bound by a membrane (Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists, Most algae, and Humans)
-have a nucleus
-larger
-single cell and multi-cell
Deductive reasoning
allows for the development of a prediction of what may occur as a result of the experiment
Fact
Repeated observation with lots of evidence so we assume is true (fire is hot/gravity)
Hypothesis
a proposed explanation or educated guess about a phenomenon based on observation/prior knowledge
Replication of studies
independent repeating of a previously performed study (w/ similar methods & conditions) to verify if the original findings can be reproduced and validate the results of original study
Peer review
a process where experts in the field review an article before it’s published (bat experts look over/check one’s research on bats)
The importance of cells
Cells are the fundamental building blocks of all living organisms (Smallest unit of life)
Evolution
(Happens to populations of a species) change in the heritable traits (i.e. DNA) of a population from one generation to the next
Reproduction
To make another organism like themselves
Methodological Naturalism
a scientific framework that limits scientific explanations to natural causes and processes
Unity of Life on Earth
Life descended, with evolutionary modification, from a common ancestor and shares a set of basic characteristics
Scientific Names
Taxonomists assign each species a two-part, scientific name (binomial).
•Genus name + species name.
•Genus capitalized; both words italicized.
•Ex: (Homo sapiens/Felis domesticus)
Archaea
are prokaryotes that often live in Earth’s extreme environments
Eukarya
a domain or a large taxonomy group that is made up of organisms that contain a nucleus within their cells (single-celled protists and multicellular fungi, animals, and plants)
Taxonomy
is the discipline of identifying and grouping organisms
Systematics
is the study of the evolutionary relationships among organisms
Adaptation
allows an organism to exist in a particular environment
Dependent variable
the measured variable (response variable)
Control group
the group not receiving the experimental treatment used for comparison
Experimental group
the group receiving the experimental treatment
Anecdotal evidence
Hearsay (usually not good) usually not good / eye witnesses is not dependable
Who made the classification system?
Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778)
Heterotrophs
Other feeding/looks for food
-consumes other organisms
Autotrophs
Self feeding/makes own food
-photosynthesis
Emergent properties
(Life) specific arrangement and intersections of many parts into an increasing complex system
