Chapter 1 Flashcards

The Study of Life

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1
Q

Scientific Method

A

method of research with defined steps that include observation, formulation of a hypothesis, testing, and confirming or falsifying the hypothesis

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2
Q

Hypothesis

A

Explanation for an event, which can be tested.

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3
Q

Theory

A

Tested and confirmed explanation for observations or phenomena

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4
Q

Abstract

A

opening section of a scientific paper that summarizes the research and conclusions

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5
Q

Applied science

A

form of science that aims to solve real world problems

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6
Q

Atom

A

smallest and most fundamental unit of matter

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7
Q

Basic science

A

science that seeks to expand knowledge and understanding regardless of the short-term application of that knowledge

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8
Q

Biochemistry

A

study of the chemistry of biological
organisms

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9
Q

Biosphere

A

collection of all the ecosystems on Earth

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10
Q

Cell

A

Cells are the lowest level of biological organization that can survive and reproduce.
•Many single cells, such as bacteria and protozoans, exist as unicellular organisms.
•Multicellular organisms, such as plants and animals, are made up of groups of interdependent cells.

smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living things

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11
Q

Community

A

set of populations inhabiting a particular area

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12
Q

Conclusion

A

section of a scientific paper that summarizes the importance of the experimental findings

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13
Q

Control

A

part of an experiment that does not change during
the experiment

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14
Q

deductive reasoning

A

form of logical thinking that uses a general inclusive statement to forecast specific results

example:
Major premise: All mammals have backbones. Minor premise: Humans are mammals. Conclusion: Humans have backbones.

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15
Q

descriptive science

A

(also, discovery science) form of science
that aims to observe, explore, and investigate

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16
Q

Discussion

A

section of a scientific paper in which the author interprets experimental results, describes how variables may be related, and attempts to explain the phenomenon
in question

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17
Q

Ecosystem

A

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

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18
Q

eukaryote

A

organism with cells that have nuclei and membrane-bound organelles.

eukaryotic cells contain mitochondrial DNA in addition to nuclear DNA.

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19
Q

evolution

A

the process of gradual change in a population or species over time

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20
Q

homeostasis

A

ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions

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21
Q

hypothesis-based science

A

form of science that begins with a specific question and potential testable answers

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22
Q

Inductive reasoning

A

form of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion

Darwin’s theory of evolution by Natural Selection is an example of how inductive reasoning can be used to explain complex phenomena. Rather than drawing from general principles, Darwin made a generalization from many specific pieces of evidence including: Comparing the anatomy of different organisms.

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23
Q

macromolecule

A

large molecule, typically formed by the joining of smaller molecules

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24
Q

microbiology

A

study of the structure and function of microorganisms

25
Q

molecular biology

A

study of biological processes and their regulation at the molecular level, including interactions among molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins

26
Q

Molecule

A

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

27
Q

Organelle

A

small structures that exist within cells and carry out cellular functions

feeds the need of the cell

28
Q

paleontology

A

study of life’s history by means of fossils

29
Q

phylogenetic tree

A

diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in genetic or physical traits or both; in essence, a hypothesis concerning evolutionary connections

phylogenetic tree (inference)
30
Q

Physical science

A

field of science, such as geology, astronomy, physics, and chemistry, that studies Non-Living matter

31
Q

Population

A

all of the individuals of a species living within a
specific area

32
Q

prokaryote

A

single-celled organism that lacks organelles and does not have nuclei surrounded by a nuclear membrane.

Prokaryotes include Bacteria and Archaea.

33
Q

Tissue

A

group of similar cells carrying out related functions

34
Q

Variable

A

part of an experiment that the experimenter can vary or change

35
Q

organ

A

collection of related tissues grouped together performing a common function

36
Q

organ system

A

level of organization that consists of functionally related interacting organs

37
Q

All living organisms

A

share several key properties such as:

order,
sensitivity or response to stimuli,
reproduction,
growth and development,
regulation,
homeostasis,
energy processing

38
Q

Hierarchy of living things

12 levels of biological organization

A

atoms, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.

Any Mighty Organism Can Typically Organize Organ Systems, Intensely Promoting Community Efforts, Biomes, Biospheres

39
Q

Organisms are grouped by

A

populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere.

40
Q

natural science

A

Life science (as opposed to physical science: study of nonliving things)

field of science that is related to the physical world and its phenomena and processes.

ie: astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics.

Relies on the use of quantitative data

41
Q

hypothesis-based science

A

form of science that begins with a specific question and potential testable answers

42
Q

Where in a phylogenetic tree would you expect to find the organism that had evolved most recently?

A

at the branch tips

43
Q

The presence of a membrane-enclosed nucleus is a
characteristic of

A

eukaryotic cells

44
Q

The smallest unit of biological structure that meets the functional requirements of “living” is the

A

cell

45
Q

A person notices that her houseplants that are regularly exposed to music seem to grow more quickly than those in rooms with no music. As a result, she determines that plants grow better when exposed to music. This example most closely resembles which type of reasoning?

A

inductive reasoning

46
Q

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area is called a(n)

A

Population

47
Q

Which of the following sequences represents the hierarchy of biological organization from the most inclusive to the least complex level?

A

biosphere, ecosystem, community, population, organism

48
Q

Viruses are not considered living because they

A

are not made of cells

49
Q

The first forms of life on Earth were

A

microorganisms

50
Q

The type of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion is called

A

inductive reasoning

51
Q

The process of ________ helps to ensure that a scientist’s research is original, significant, logical, and thorough.

A

peer review

52
Q

order of taxa in biology

A

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species,: “Dear King Philip Came Over For Grape Soda” or “Dear Kevin, Please Come Over For Gay Sex”

53
Q

processes that define living things

A

MRS GREN: Movement; Respiration; Sensation; Growth; Reproduction; Excretion; Nutrition

54
Q

Emergent properties

A

Biological molecules (Characteristics) that depend on the level of organization of matter, but do not exist at lower levels, are called emergent properties.

Life is thus an emergent property of the organization of cells from matter

55
Q

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

A

is a large, double-stranded, helical molecule that contains instructions for assembling a living organism from simpler molecules.

Deoxyribose is the sugar backbone of DNA

56
Q

Metabolism

A

describes the ability of a cell or organism to extract energy from its surroundings and use that energy to maintain itself, grow, and reproduce.

57
Q

photosynthesis

A

in which the electromagnetic energy of sunlight is absorbed and converted into chemical energy in biological molecules.

58
Q

Model organisms

A

Example: Mice

have rapid development, short life cycles, and small adult size.

Research on these organisms provides insights into biological processes in larger and more complex ones.

59
Q

cellular respiration

A

to break down complex biological molecules with oxygen, releasing chemical energy for cellular activities