Chapter 1 key terms Flashcards
biology
the study of life
cell
Highly organized, tiny structures with thin coverings called membranes. The smallest unit capable of all life functions.
reproduction
the process by which organisms make more of their own kind
metabolism
the sum of all of the chemical reactions carried out in an organism
homeostasis
the maintenance of stable internal conditions in spite of changes in the external environment
gene
set of inherited instructions for making proteins, determine traits of offspring
heredity
transmission of genetic traits from parent to offspring
mutation
a change in the DNA of a gene or a chromosome
evolution
a change in the genetic makeup of a population or species over time
species
group of organisms that look alike and are capable of producing fertile offspring in nature
natural selection
process in which populations change in response to their environment, individuals more suited to the environment leave more offspring than those not suited to the environment
ecology
the study of interactions of living organisms with one another and with their environment
bias
a prejudice or inclination toward a certain outcome
independent variable
factor that is varied in an experiment
dependent variable
variable that is measured in an experiment
HIV
Human Immunodefiency Virus; the infectious virus that causes AIDS
cancer
disease characterized by abnormal cell growth
cystic fibrosis
fatal genetic disorder in which excessive amounts of mucus are secreted, blocking intestinal and bronchial ducts and causing difficulty in breathing
observation
the act of noting or perceiving objects or events using the senses
hypothesis
a proposed explanation for an observation that can be tested by additional observations or experiementation
prediction
the expected outcome if the hypothesis is correct
pH
measure of acidity of a solution, representing the hydrogen ion concentration
experiment
a planned procedure to test a hypothesis
control group
a group in an experiment that does not receive experimental treatment
theory
explanation based on a set of related hypotheses that have been tested and confirmed many times
