Module 1-The Science of Life

Question 1

Biology

Answer 1

The study of life. The Greek word bios means “life,” and -logy means “study of.”

Question 2

Evidence

Answer 2

The collected body of data from experiments and observations

Question 3

Quantitative observations

Answer 3

Observations involving numbers, such as counting or measuring

Question 4

Qualitative observations

Answer 4

Observations that are not easily counted or measured, such as color or texture

Question 5

Inference

Answer 5

Logical interpretation based on prior knowledge, experience, or evidence

Question 6

Hypothesis

Answer 6

A suggested, testable answer to a well-defined scientific question or a possible, testable explanation for observations

Question 7

Variable

Answer 7

A factor that changes in an experiment

Question 8

Independent variable

Answer 8

The variable manipulated by the experimenter

Question 9

Dependent variable

Answer 9

The variable responding to the manipulated variable

Question 10

Experimental group

Answer 10

The group in an experiment that is manipulated (contains the independent variable)

Question 11

Control group

Answer 11

The group in an experiment that experiences no manipulation (does not contain the independent variable)

Question 12

Scientific theory

Answer 12

An explanation of some part of the natural world that has been thoroughly tested and is supported by a significant amount of evidence from observations and experiments

Question 13

Scientific law

Answer 13

A description of a natural relationship or principle, often expressed in mathematical terms, and supported by a significant amount of evidence

Question 14

Microorganisms

Answer 14

Living creatures that are too small to see with the naked eye

Question 15

Abiogenesis

Answer 15

The idea that long ago, very simple life forms spontaneously appeared through chemical reactions

Question 16

Cells

Answer 16

The smallest units of an organism considered alive

Question 17

Unicellular

Answer 17

The Latin prefix uni means “one,” so unicellular means “single-celled”

Question 18

Multicellular

Answer 18

The Latin prefix multi means “many,” so multicellular means “many-celled”

Question 19

Metabolism

Answer 19

The sum total of all processes in an organism that convert energy and matter from outside sources and use that energy and matter to sustain the organism’s life functions

Question 20

Anabolism

Answer 20

The sum total of all processes in an organism that use energy and simple chemical building blocks to produce large chemicals and structures necessary for life

Question 21

Catabolism

Answer 21

The sum total of all processes in an organism that break down chemicals to produce energy and simple chemical building blocks

Question 22

Photosynthesis

Answer 22

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use the energy of sunlight and simple chemicals to produce their own food

Question 23

Autotrophs

Answer 23

Organisms that are able to make their own food

Question 24

Herbivores

Answer 24

Organisms that eat only plants

Question 25

Carnivores

Answer 25

Organisms that eat only organisms other than plants

Question 26

Omnivores

Answer 26

Organism that eat both plants and other organisms

Question 27

Heterotrophs

Answer 27

Organisms that depend on other organisms for their food

Question 28

Homeostasis

Answer 28

The maintenance of stable internal conditions

Question 29

International System of Units

Answer 29

The metric system (abbreviated SI), which is the most widely used system of measurement in science

Question 30

Compound light microscope

Answer 30

A microscope that shines light through a specimen using two lenses to magnify an image

Question 31

Transmission electron microscope

Answer 31

A microscope that transmits a beam of electrons through a thinly sliced specimen

Question 32

Scanning electron microscope

Answer 32

A microscope that passes a beam of electrons over the surface of a specimen

Question 33

Endotherm

Answer 33

Organism that is internally warmed by a heat-generating metabolic process

Question 34

Ectotherm

Answer 34

Organism that lacks an internal mechanism for regulating body heat

Question 35

Receptors

Answer 35

Special structures that allow living organisms to sense the conditions of their internal or external environment

Question 36

Asexual reproduction

Answer 36

Process by which a single organism produces genetically identical offspring (offspring receives all DNA from one parent)

Question 37

Sexual reproduction

Answer 37

Process by which two parents produce genetically different offspring (offspring receives a combination of DNA from two parents)

Question 38

Inheritance

Answer 38

The process by which physical and biological characteristics are transmitted from the parent (or parents) to the offspring

Question 39

Mutation

Answer 39

An abrupt and marked change in the DNA of an organism compared to that of its parents