AP Biology Chapter 1 - Biology: The Study of Life Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards generated from Chapter 1 Biology: The Study of Life lecture notes.

Biology

The study of life.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element composed of electrons, protons, and neutrons.

Molecule

The union of two or more atoms of the same or different elements.

Cell

The basic structural and functional unit of all living things.

Tissue

A group of cells with a common structure and function.

Organ

A structure composed of tissues functioning together for a specific task.

Organ System

A system composed of several organs working together.

Organism

An individual living thing; complex individuals contain organ systems.

Species

A group of similar, interbreeding organisms.

Population

Organisms of the same species in a particular area.

Community

Interacting populations in a particular area.

Ecosystem

A community plus its physical environment.

Biosphere

The zone of air, land, and water where organisms exist.

Metabolism

All the chemical reactions that occur in a cell.

Photosynthesis

A process that converts solar energy into the chemical energy of carbohydrates.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of internal conditions within certain boundaries.

Adaptation

Any modification that makes an organism better able to function in a particular environment.

Evolution

The change in a population of organisms over time to become more suited to the environment.

Taxonomy

The discipline of biology that identifies, names, and classifies organisms according to certain rules.

Systematics

The study of evolutionary relationships between organisms.

Domain Archaea

A domain containing unicellular prokaryotes that lack a membrane-bound nucleus and live in extreme environments.

Domain Bacteria

A domain containing unicellular prokaryotes that lack a membrane-bound nucleus and live in all environments.

Domain Eukarya

A domain containing unicellular and multicellular organisms whose cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus.

Binomial Nomenclature

A universal two-part Latin-based naming system for organisms, consisting of a capitalized genus name followed by a lowercase species designation.

Biodiversity

The total number and relative abundance of species, the variability of their genes, and the different ecosystems in which they live.

Extinction

The death of the last member of a species or larger classification category.

Scientific Method

A standard series of steps used in gaining new knowledge through research.

Hypothesis

A tentative, testable explanation for an observation, developed through inductive reasoning.

Experimental Variable

The specific factor being tested in an experiment, also known as the independent variable.

Control Group

A group in an experiment that goes through all aspects of the protocol but is not exposed to the experimental variable.

Scientific Theory

Concepts that join together two or more well-supported and related hypotheses, supported by a broad range of observations, experiments, and data.

Scientific Principle / Law

A widely accepted set of theories with no serious challenges to its validity.