Chapter 1: The Study of Life & Scientific Method

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Chapter 1: The Study of Life & Scientific Method.

Organized

Have an organized biological structure.

Acquire material and energy

Need nutrients and energy from the environment.

Homeostasis

Maintain stable internal physical and chemical conditions.

Respond

React to environmental stimuli and other organisms.

Reproduce and develop

Produce offspring and mature over time.

Adapt

Populations change across generations to become better suited to their environment.

Biological Hierarchy

Atom -> Molecule -> Cell -> Tissue -> Organ -> Organ system -> Organism -> Species -> Population -> Community -> Ecosystem -> Biosphere.

Emergent Property

A function or trait that appears as biological complexity increases.

Taxa

Levels of classification from most inclusive to most exclusive: Domain -> Kingdom -> Phylum -> Class -> Order -> Family -> Genus -> Species.

Binomial Nomenclature

Universal scientific naming system using Genus + species, where both terms are italicized (or underlined when handwritten), Genus is capitalized, and species is lowercase.

Archaea

Domain of prokaryotic organisms where many have unique adaptations to extreme environments.

Bacteria

Domain of prokaryotic organisms that are widespread and found in almost all environmental niches.

Eukarya

Domain of organisms containing eukaryotic cells with a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Prokaryotic

Cells or organisms that have no membrane-bound nucleus.

Eukaryotic

Cells or organisms that have a membrane-bound nucleus present.

Protists

Diverse group belonging to Domain Eukarya including algae, protozoans, slime molds, and water molds.

Plants

Multicellular photosynthetic organisms belonging to Domain Eukarya, including mosses, ferns, conifers, and flowering plants.

Fungi

Organisms belonging to Domain Eukarya, including molds, mushrooms, yeasts, and ringworm, that absorb nutrients from organic matter.

Animals

Multicellular heterotrophs belonging to Domain Eukarya, including sponges, worms, insects, fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Scientific Method

Systematic process composed of Observation -> Hypothesis -> Experiment/Observation -> Conclusion.

Observation

Gather information and facts about a natural phenomenon.

Hypothesis

A testable possible explanation or prediction that predicts an outcome.

Experiment

Controlled procedure to test the hypothesis.

Conclusion

Analysis or final evaluation determining whether data support or do not support the hypothesis.

Scientific Theory

A well-tested explanation supported by a vast body of experiments and observations.

Experimental Group

Receives the specific treatment/variable being tested in an experiment.

Control Group

Remains untreated/standard for direct comparison in an experiment.

Experimental Variable

The single factor deliberately changed by the researcher in an experiment.

Control Variables

All other factors kept strictly identical across groups in an experiment.