Chap 1 Biology Flashcards
What is the scientific method?
standard process to study the natural world.
How does the scientific method begin?
Observation and questions
What are observations?
knowledge amassed before the experiment begins
What is a hypothesis?
potential explantations for the observation which can be supported or falsified by the data
Steps of the Scientific Method
Observation, ask a question, consult prior knowledge, hypothesis, make prediction, design experiment, collect/interpret data, draw conclusion, peer review, publish.
What is an experimental design?
a careful plan
What is a sample size?
Number of subjects in a group
What is the Independent Variable?
what is manipulated
What is the Dependent Variable?
what is measured
What is the Standardized Variable?
held constant for all subjects
What a control?
untreated group used for comparison
What is used to interpret data?
statistical analysis
test the statistical significance
What are Theories?
comprehensive explanations
What are Facts?
repeatable observations that everyone agrees on
What is Technology?
the practical application of scientific knowledge and provides tools for scientific inquiry
Five questions to ask when evaluating a scientific claim
- Does it seem logical?
- Is the source credible?
- Are scientific studies cited?
- Are the experiments well designed?
- Do data match conclusions?
What is Biology?
the scientific study of life
What are cells?
the basic unit of life
simple celled organisms are…
more complex organisms are…
unicellular
multicellular
What is DNA?
the molecule that carries genetic information
What are the characteristics of life?
Organization Energy Internal Constancy Reproduction, growth, and development Evolution
Levels of Organization
Atom, Molecule, Organelle, Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere
What is an organelle?
a membrane-bound structure that has a specific function within a cell
What is tissue?
a collection of specialized cells that function in a coordinated fashion
What are organs?
a structure consisting of tissue organized to carry out specific functions (leaf)
What are organ systems?
organs connected physically or chemically that function together (aboveground part of tree)
What is an organism?
a single living individual.
What is a population?
a group of the same species of organism living in the same place and time
What are communities?
all populations that occupy the same region
What are ecosystems?
the living and nonliving components of an area
What is the biosphere?
the global ecosystem; planet and atmosphere
what does organization lead to?
Emergent Properties
What is Energy needed for?
Keeping Organized Carrying out chemical rxns Transporting molecules inside and among cells Maintaining internal constancy Reproducing, growing, and developing
do all organisms obtain energy?
yes
What are producers (primary)?
extract energy and nutrients from the non living environment (plants)
What are consumers?
obtain energy and nutrients by eating other organisms (bug)
What are decomposers?
consumers that obtain nutrients from dead organisms and organic wastes
What is homeostasis?
the process by which a cell or organism maintains internal constancy
How can organisms reproduce?
asexually
sexually
What is asexual reproduction?
only one parent is involved, and the offspring is genetically identical to the parent.
Where is asexual reproduction a successful strategy?
unchanging environments
What is sexual reproduction?
two parents are involved, and the offspring are genetically different from the parents.
Where is sexual reproduction a successful strategy?
changing environments
What is evolution?
the genetic change over time in a population
What do scientists use to name and classify organisms?
taxonomy
How many levels of taxonomic hierarchy?
8
List levels of taxonomic hierarchy?
Domain Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species
List the Domains
Domain Bacteria
Domain Archaea
Domain Eukarya
List the Kingdoms under Domain Eukarya
Animals
Fungi
Plants
Protista
Characteristics of bacteria and archaea
prokaryotic and unicellular
What are prokaryotes?
cells lack nuclei and other compartments
Characteristics of Protista
Uni or multicellular
autotrophs or heterotrophs
Characteristics of Animalia
multicellular
heterotrophs
Characteristics of Fungi
most multicellular
heterotrophs
Characteristics of Plantae
multicellular
autotrophs
What are heterotrophs?
consumers
What are autotrophs?
producers
How is Domain Eukarya different from the other two?
they have larger more complex cells with nuclei
