Chapter 1 --> Intro: Themes in the Study of Life --> Vocab

Question 1

Evolution

Answer 1

The process of change that has transformed life on Earth from its earliest beginnings to the diversity of organisms living today.

Question 2

Biology

Answer 2

The scientific study of life.

Question 3

Emergent Properties

Answer 3

Properties that are not present at the preceding level.

Question 4

Systems Biology

Answer 4

An approach that attempts to model the dynamic behavior of whole biological systems based on a study of the interactions among the system’s parts.

Question 5

Levels of Biological Organization (10 Levels)

Answer 5

The Biosphere –> Ecosystems –> Communities –> Populations –> Organisms –> Organs and Organ Systems –> Tissues –> Cells –> Organelles –> Molecules

Question 6

Global Climate Change

Answer 6

Global warming.

Question 7

Eukaryotic Cell

Answer 7

A cell that is subdivided by internal membranes into various membrane-enclosed organelles.

Question 8

Prokaryotic Cell

Answer 8

A cell where the DNA is not separated from the rest of the cell by enclosure in a membrane-bound nucleus.

Question 9

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Answer 9

The cell’s genetic material; the substance of genes.

Question 10

Genes

Answer 10

The units of inheritance that transmit information from parents to offspring.

Question 11

Gene Expression

Answer 11

The process by which the information in a gene directs the production of a cellular product.

Question 12

Genome

Answer 12

The entire “library” of genetic instructions that an organism inherits.

Question 13

Genomics

Answer 13

Studying whole sets of genes of a species as well as comparing genomes between species.

Question 14

Bioinformatics

Answer 14

The use of computational tools to store, organize, and analyze the huge volume of data that result from high-throughput methods.

Question 15

Negative Feedback

Answer 15

A form of regulation in which accumulation of an end product of a process slows that process. (i.e. thermostat)

Question 16

Positive Feedback

Answer 16

A form of regulation in which an end product speeds up its own production. (i.e. birth)

Question 17

The three domains of life

Answer 17

Bacteria and Archaea –> Prokaryotic

Eukarya –> Eukaryotic

Question 18

Natural Selection

Answer 18

The natural environment “selects” for the propagation of certain traits among naturally occurring variant traits in the population. (i.e. only the tough survive, survival of the fittest)

Question 19

Science

Answer 19

A way of knowing; an approach to understanding the natural world.

Question 20

Inquiry

Answer 20

A search for information and explanation, often focusing on specific questions.

Question 21

Data

Answer 21

Recorded observations.

Question 22

Inductive Reasoning

Answer 22

A type of logic where collecting and analyzing observations can lead to important conclusions.

Question 23

Hypothesis

Answer 23

A tentative answer to a well-framed question; and explanation on trial.

Question 24

Deductive Reasoning

Answer 24

Generally used after the hypothesis has been developed and involves logic that flows in the opposite direction, from the general to the specific.

Question 25

Controlled Experiment

Answer 25

An experiment designed to compare an experimental group with a control group.

Question 26

Theory

Answer 26

Much broader in scope than a hypothesis.

Question 27

Model Organism

Answer 27

A species that is easy to grow in the lab and lends itself particularly well to the questions being investigated.

Question 28

Technology

Answer 28

Generally applies scientific knowledge for some specific purpose.