Chapter 1: The Study of Life Flashcards
define science
systematic study of the structure and behavior of the natural and physical world
define biology
the science that studies life
define life
having all of the defining characteristic of life
define inductive reasoning
- discovery or descriptive science
- observing to discovery
- deriving generalizations from specific observations
define deductive reasoning
- hypothesis based science
- begins with a specific question that can be tested
- using general principles to predict specific results
define hypothesis
- a suggested explanation that can be tested
- testable, falsifiable, never proven
define null hypothesis
states that there will be no difference, no effect, or no relationship between variables being tested
define independent variable
part of experiment that is changing
define dependent variable
- what you are measuring in the experiment
- what the independent variable has an effect on
define control variable
part of the experiment that does not change
define scientific theory
- foundation of scientific knowledge
- hypothesis that has been repeatedly tested and has strong evidence supporting it
define scientific law
- describes how elements of nature will behave under certain conditions
- mathematical formulas
- not generally in biology
where does the word science come from
the latin word meaning knowledge
what does the study of biology include (3 things)
- living organisms
- their interactions with each other
- their interactions with the environment
where does the word biology come from
the greek words meaning life and study
what are the two sections of natural sciences
- physical sciences
- life sciences
examples of physical sciences
- physics
- chemistry
- geology
- astronomy
is biology a physical or life science
life science
are biochemistry or biophysics physical or life sciences
combination of both
what are the three fundamental questions of biology
- what are the shared properties/characteristics that make something alive?
- If something is alive, how do we find meaningful organization of its structure?
- Given the remarkable diversity of life, how do we organize all of the organisms?
what is the simplest/smallest form of life
cells
define unicellular
organisms with a single cell
define multicellular
organisms with many cells (more than one)
what are the 8 characteristics that define life
- order
- sensitivity or response to stimuli
- reproduction (on its own)
- growth and development
- regulation
- homeostasis
- energy processing
- evolution/adaptation
what makes a virus not alive
viruses cannot reproduce on their own
explain this characteristic defining life: order
- organisms are organized and coordinated structures with one or more cells
- even single-celled organisms are complex
explain this characteristic defining life: sensitivity to stimuli
- organisms respond to different stimuli
- positive and negative responses
what is a positive response to stimuli
movement towards a stimulus
what is a negative response to stimuli
movement away from a stimulus
explain this characteristic defining life: reproduction
- DNA with genes are passed down to offspring which ensures that the offspring will be the same species and have similar characteristics
- asexual and sexual reproduction
how do single-celled organisms reproduce
duplicating DNA and dividing equally to form two identical cells
how do multicellular organisms reproduce
specialized germline cells combine during fertilization
explain this characteristic defining life: growth and development
- organisms grow and develop according to genes
- offspring have similar characteristics as parents
explain this characteristic defining life: regulation
organisms have regulatory functions to coordinate internal functions, respond to stimuli, and adapt to environmental stress
explain this characteristic defining life: homeostasis
- cells requiring appropriate conditions (temp, pH, chemical concentrations)
- maintain internal conditions despite environmental changes
explain this characteristic defining life: energy processing
- organisms use energy sources to fuel metabolic activity
- cellular respiration, photosynthesis
explain this characteristic defining life: evolution and adaptation
- adaptation is a consequence of evolution by natural selection
- organisms fit into environment and have a higher chance or reproduction and survival
13 levels of organization of living things (atom to biosphere)
- atom
- molecule
- macromolecule
- organelle
- cell
- tissue
- organ
- organ system
- organism
- population
- community
- ecosystem
- biosphere