Chapter 1 - The Study of Life Flashcards
What is the scientific method
Method at research with defined steps that include careful observation and expirement
Conducting repeatable expirement is easy for biology, physics, chemistry but hard for what?
Social sciences like psychology or sociology
A hypothesis may become a verified theory which is what?
A confirmed explanation for an observation or phenomena
What are natural sciences?
They are fields of science related to the physical world and it’s phenomena (bio, Chem, Phys, astronomy)
Natural sciences are divided into what?
Life sciences - study of living things
Physical sciences - study of non living things
What is interdisciplinary sciences?
A scientific study that combines the likes from a few different fields of study examples are biochemistry, and biophysics
What type of data do natural sciences rely on? What type of data does social science rely on?
Natural sciences rely on quantitative data while social sciences rely on qualitative data
What is inductive reasoning?
A type of reasoning that uses specific, related observations to arrive at a general conclusion
What is deductive reasoning?
A type of reasoning that is used in hypothesis based science, it uses general principles or laws to forecast specific results
The scientific method starts with…
Observations (or problems) and leads to a question
What is a hypothesis?
A suggested explanation that you can test
A hypothesis must be…
Testable and falsifiable, that is expiremental results can disprove it - opponents to disproving ideas seperates science apart from non science
What must an expirement have?
1 or more variables and 1 or more controls
What are variables?
Parts of the experiment that can change
What are controls?
They contain every feature of the experiment except for the manipulation the researcher hypothesis’s, therefore if there is a differ in results it must be due to the hypothesis
When does the scientific method reject a hypothesis?
When it is inconsistent with the experimental data
What is the difference between basic science and applied science?
Basic science seeks to expand knowledge, not focused on producing a product or service
Applied science aims to solve real world problems
When reporting scientific work what must be done? List as many as possible
- scientific findings must be shared with other researchers
- communication with peers is vital
- results presented in peer reviewed manuscripts
- results must be significant, original, logical, thorough, and consistent
- scientific writing must be brief, concise, accurate, succinct but detailed
What is a peer reviewed manuscript?
A manuscript that is reviewed by qualified individuals for publications or grants
Sections of a scientific paper (lab report) include…
Introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, and an abstract or a references section may also be included
What does an introduction have in a scientific paper?
It has brief but broad background information and includes rationale and justification for work - this is where hypothesis or problem is stated, publications used are also listed here
What does materials and methods have in a scientific paper?
A complete and accurate description of substances, methods, and techniques used, also how measurements and calculations were done
What does the results section of a scientific paper include?
A simple narrative on the findings without any interpretations and included tables and graphs
What does the discussion section of a scientific paper include?
Interpretation of results, description of how variables may be related, attempt to explain observations, references to citations do previous work should be included and an overall conclusion that summarizes the importance of the work, may also suggest further research
Organisms respond to stimulus, plants bending towards light is known as what?
Chemotaxis - bacteria moves toward or away form chemicals
How do single celled organisms divide?
They duplicate their DNA and split into 2
How do multicellular organisms reproduce?
By producing specialized structures such as oocytes and sperm the union of which produce a new individual, genes are passed along through this process within a species
What ensures that the young exhibit the same general characteristics as their parents?
Genes
In terms of regulatory mechanisms what does blood do in animals?
It’s flow transports oxygen, nutrients, removes waste, and cools the body
What is homeostasis referring to in organisms?
The ability to maintain constant internal conditions within narrow ranges despite environmental changes
What is the diversity of life on earth a result of?
Natural selection acting on genetic polymorphism in lineages over long periods of time
From small to large list the levels of organization of living things
-Atom
-molecule
-macromolecule
-organelles
-cells
-tissues
-organs
-organ systems
-organism
-populations
-community
-ecosystem
-biosphere
What is the most fundamental unit of matter
An atom
What is a molecule
A chemical structure of atleast 2 atoms held by chemical bonds
What are macromolecules
A molecule containing a very large number of atoms
What are organelles?
Aggregates of macromolecules surrounded by membranes, cellular structures that carry out vital functions (mitochondria, chloroplasts)
What are cells?
The smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in a living organisms, all living things are comprised of cells
Sole organisms are only made of 1 cell (bacteria, Protozoa)
What are cells classified as? Describe both of the classifications
Either eukaryotes of prokaryotes
Eukaryotes - have membranes bound organelles and a membrane bound nucleus
Prokaryotes - are single celled organisms that do not have a membrane bound nucleus or organelles
What are tissues?
Cells with similar functions grouped together
What are organs?
Collections of tissues grouped together for a common function
What is an organ system?
Functionally related organs
What is an organism?
An individual living entity
What are populations?
All the individuals of a species in a specific area
What is a community?
The sum of populations living in a specific area
What is an ecosystem?
All living and non living parts of a particular area with dynamic functions of energy flow and nutrient recycling
What is a biosphere?
All of the earths ecosystems
What is the source of the diversity of life?
Evolution
What summarizes the various forms of life?
A phylogenetic tree
What are the 3 main lineages of life called the domains of life? All share homologous features
Bacteria
Eukarya
Archaea
5 main branches based on physical features and feeding behavior and are not considered lineages (non-homologous)
Plants
Animals
Fungi
Protists
Bacteria
7-8 total properties of life?
Order, sensitivity, reproduction, adaption, growth and development, regulation/homeostasis, energy processing, and evolution
