Chapter 1 Flashcards
Reductionism
Approach to biology that reduces complex systems to simpler componenets
Emergent properties
New properties that arise with each step up in the hierarchy of life, because the arrangements and interaction of parts as increases
DNA
Nucleic acid molecule, usually with a double strand with a deoxyribose sugar and nitrogenous bases
Genes
Unit of hereditary information consisting of a specific nucleotide sequence in DNA
Gene expression
The process of information being encoded in DNA which directs the synthesis of proteins
Genome
Genetic material of an organism or virus
Proteome
Entire set of protein
Producers
Organism that produces organic compounds from carbon dioxide by harnessing light energy or by oxidizing inorganic chemicals
Consumers
Organism that feeds on producers, consumers or nonliving organic material
Feedback regulation
Regulation of a process by its output or endproduct
Negative feedback
A loop in which the response reduces initial stimulus
Positive feedback
The end product speeds up its own production
Natural selection
A process in which organisms with certain traits tend to survive and reproduce at a higher rate than other organisms
Inductive reasoning
Type of logic which generalizes based on large number of specific observations
Hypothesis
Testable explanation for a set of observations based on data and inductive reasoning
Experiment
Scientific test carried out under controlled conditions
Deductive reasoning
Specific results are predicted from a general premise
Control group
Set of subjects that lacks the specific factor being tested but identical in everything else
Experimental group
Subjects with factor that is being tested in an experiment
Variables
Things that can vary in the experiment
Independent variable
A factor whose value is measured during an experimenter
Dependent variable
A factor whose value is measured during an experiment to see whether it is influenced by changes in another factor
Scientific theory
Broader in scope than hypothesis, strongly supported, and generate other hypothesis
Model organisms
Species that are easy to handle in labs used in experiments because it represents a large group of ofganisms
Inquiry
Search for information and explanations of natural phenomena
Gene expression
Process of using gene information
