Chapter 1: The Study of Life

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Chapter 1: The Study of Life.

Biology

The science that studies living organisms and their interactions with each other and their environments.

Science

Knowledge about general truths or laws that is tested by observation and experimentation.

Natural sciences

Branches of science that study the natural world using empirical methods.

Scientific method

A systematic process for investigating phenomena, including forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and making observations.

Hypothesis

A testable explanation or educated guess that can be tested by experiments.

Prediction

A stated outcome expected if a hypothesis is true.

Inductive reasoning

Reasoning from specific observations to a general conclusion.

Deductive reasoning

Reasoning from a general principle to specific predictions.

Basic science

Science pursued to expand knowledge for its own sake, without immediate practical goals.

Applied science

Science aimed at solving practical problems or creating useful products.

Properties of life

Traits shared by living things, including order, growth and development, reproduction, energy processing, regulation, homeostasis, and response to stimuli.

Order (property of life)

A highly organized structure from atoms to the biosphere with specialized components.

Sensitivity or response to stimuli

Organisms respond to environmental cues; can be positive (toward) or negative (away) responses.

Reproduction

The production of new individuals; DNA passed to offspring.

Growth and development

Increase in size and maturation according to genetic instructions.

Regulation

Control of internal processes to maintain function.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of internal conditions in a stable, steady state.

Energy processing

Acquiring and using energy to power metabolic activities.

Level of organization

The hierarchical arrangement of living things from atoms to the biosphere.

Atoms

The smallest units of matter; basic building blocks of elements.

Molecules

Two or more atoms bonded together.

Macromolecules

Large biological polymers such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

Organelles

Specialized structures within cells that perform specific functions.

Cells

The basic units of life; the smallest units capable of independent function.

Tissues

Groups of similar cells that perform a common function.

Organs

Structures composed of tissues that carry out specific tasks.

Organ systems

Groups of organs that coordinate to perform broad physiological functions.

Organisms

Individual living beings.

Populations

Groups of individuals of the same species living in a given area.

Communities

All populations of different species living in an area.

Ecosystems

Living communities and their physical environment interacting as a system.

Biosphere

The global sum of all ecosystems; the zone of life on Earth.

Phylogenetic tree

A diagram of evolutionary relationships among species based on traits and genetic data; nodes and branches; branch lengths may reflect time.

Domain

The highest taxonomic rank in the Woese system; three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya.

Domain Bacteria

Prokaryotic, single-celled organisms without a nucleus.

Domain Archaea

Prokaryotic, often extremophiles; single-celled organisms without nuclei.

Domain Eukarya

Organisms with cells containing nuclei; includes fungi, plants, animals, and many protists.

Prokaryote

Organisms without a nucleus; includes Bacteria and Archaea.

Microbiology

Study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists.

Neurobiology

Biology of the nervous system.

Paleontology

Study of life’s history through fossils.

Zoology

Study of animals.

Forensic science

Application of science to legal questions; provides court evidence and analyzes materials from crimes.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; the molecule that carries genetic information.

Gene

A unit of heredity that encodes information for a trait and is passed to offspring.

Genome

The complete set of genes or genetic material of an organism.

Human Genome Project

A 13-year international effort (completed in 2003) to sequence the entire human genome.

PubMed

A database for accessing peer-reviewed biomedical literature.

Peer review

A blind evaluation by experts to assess quality and validity before publication.

Abstract (scientific article)

A concise summary of a scientific paper.

Introduction (scientific article)

Background and purpose section of a study.

Methods

Section detailing how experiments were conducted.

Results

Section presenting data and findings.

Discussion

Section interpreting results and their implications.

Literature Cited

List of sources referenced in the article.

Think Pair Share

A collaborative learning activity where students think individually, discuss with a partner, then share with the class.

Concept mapping

A visual tool to organize and connect ideas using bubbles/boxes and linking lines.