Module 1-The Science of Life Flashcards
Biology
The study of life. The Greek word bios means “life,” and -logy means “study of.”
Evidence
The collected body of data from experiments and observations
Quantitative observations
Observations involving numbers, such as counting or measuring
Qualitative observations
Observations that are not easily counted or measured, such as color or texture
Inference
Logical interpretation based on prior knowledge, experience, or evidence
Hypothesis
A suggested, testable answer to a well-defined scientific question or a possible, testable explanation for observations
Variable
A factor that changes in an experiment
Independent variable
The variable manipulated by the experimenter
Dependent variable
The variable responding to the manipulated variable
Experimental group
The group in an experiment that is manipulated (contains the independent variable)
Control group
The group in an experiment that experiences no manipulation (does not contain the independent variable)
Scientific theory
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
Scientific law
A description of a natural relationship or principle, often expressed in mathematical terms, and supported by a significant amount of evidence
Microorganisms
Living creatures that are too small to see with the naked eye
Abiogenesis
The idea that long ago, very simple life forms spontaneously appeared through chemical reactions
Cells
The smallest units of an organism considered alive
Unicellular
The Latin prefix uni means “one,” so unicellular means “single-celled”
Multicellular
The Latin prefix multi means “many,” so multicellular means “many-celled”
Metabolism
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
Anabolism
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
Catabolism
The sum total of all processes in an organism that break down chemicals to produce energy and simple chemical building blocks
Photosynthesis
The process by which green plants and some other organisms use the energy of sunlight and simple chemicals to produce their own food
Autotrophs
Organisms that are able to make their own food
Herbivores
Organisms that eat only plants
Carnivores
Organisms that eat only organisms other than plants
Omnivores
Organism that eat both plants and other organisms
Heterotrophs
Organisms that depend on other organisms for their food
Homeostasis
The maintenance of stable internal conditions
International System of Units
The metric system (abbreviated SI), which is the most widely used system of measurement in science
Compound light microscope
A microscope that shines light through a specimen using two lenses to magnify an image
Transmission electron microscope
A microscope that transmits a beam of electrons through a thinly sliced specimen
Scanning electron microscope
A microscope that passes a beam of electrons over the surface of a specimen
Endotherm
Organism that is internally warmed by a heat-generating metabolic process
Ectotherm
Organism that lacks an internal mechanism for regulating body heat
Receptors
Special structures that allow living organisms to sense the conditions of their internal or external environment
Asexual reproduction
Process by which a single organism produces genetically identical offspring (offspring receives all DNA from one parent)
Sexual reproduction
Process by which two parents produce genetically different offspring (offspring receives a combination of DNA from two parents)
Inheritance
The process by which physical and biological characteristics are transmitted from the parent (or parents) to the offspring
Mutation
An abrupt and marked change in the DNA of an organism compared to that of its parents
