chapter 1 - ecology, the themes of biology, and scientific inquiry Flashcards
evolution
the process of change over time that has resulted in the astounding array of organisms fond on earth
biology
study of life
biosphere
consists of all life on earth + all the places where life exists
ecosystem
consists of all the living things in a particular area
community
the array of organisms inhabiting a particular ecosystem
population
consists of all the individuals living with in the bounds of a specific area
organisms
individual living things
organs
the body part that is made up of multiple tissues and has specific functions in the body
tissues
a group of cells that work together performing a specialized function
cells
life’s fundamental unit of structure and function
molecules
a chemical structure consisting of 2 or more units
emergent properties
novel properties emerge at each level that are absent from the preceding one
system biology
the exploration of a biological system by analyzing the interactions among its parts
producers
photosynthetic organisms
consumers
feed on other organisms/ remains
feedback regulations
the output or product of a process regulates that very process
climate change
a directional change of the global climate that lasts for 3 decades or more
evolution
the concept that the organisms living on earth today are the modified descendants of common ancestors
natural selection
mechanism of evolutionary adaptation
inquiry
a search for info and explanations of natural phenomena
hypothesis
explanation based on observation and assumptions, that leads to a testable and falsifiable prediction
theory
major unifying idea with far reaching implications that have been extensively tested and attempts to disprove it have failed
