Biology and Scientific Inquiry

These flashcards encompass key scientific and biological concepts from the lecture notes to aid students in their exam preparation.

Independent variable

The variable that is changed or manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent variable

The variable that is measured in an experiment.

Control

The standard for comparison in an experiment, which remains constant.

Scientific method

A systematic procedure for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

Reliability

The consistency of an experiment's results, important for ensuring outcomes are not random.

Accuracy

The degree to which the result of a measurement or calculation conforms to the actual value.

Data collection

The process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest.

SI units

The International System of Units used for measuring physical quantities.

Length

The measurement of how long something is, expressed in meters (m).

Mass

The measure of the amount of matter in an object, expressed in grams (g).

Volume

The amount of space an object occupies, typically measured in liters (L).

Time

The duration in which events occur, measured in seconds (s).

Temperature

The degree of heat present in a substance, measured in degrees Celsius (°C) or Kelvin (K).

Milli

A metric prefix indicating one-thousandth (1/1000).

Centi

A metric prefix indicating one-hundredth (1/100).

Kilo

A metric prefix indicating one thousand (1000).

Graph interpretation

The ability to read and understand data presented in graphical form.

Trends

General directions in which something is developing or changing.

Patterns

Recurring sequences or trends observed in data.

Characteristics of life

Fundamental attributes that define living organisms, including cells, metabolism, growth, reproduction, response, and homeostasis.

Cell organization

The hierarchy of biological organization from atoms to the biosphere.

Biochemistry

The study of the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms.

Organic compounds

Compounds that contain both carbon and hydrogen; essential for life.

Inorganic compounds

Compounds that do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds; important in biological systems.

pH scale

A scale that measures the acidity or basicity of a solution.

Macromolecules

Large molecules essential for life, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds that serve as energy sources and include simple sugars.

Lipids

Hydrophobic organic molecules, such as fats and oils, used for long-term energy storage.

Proteins

Biological macromolecules made of amino acids that perform various functions in the body.

Nucleic acids

Macromolecules like DNA and RNA that store and transmit genetic information.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions in the body.

Polarity of water

The property of water molecules having a slightly positive end and a slightly negative end.

Cohesion

The property of water molecules sticking to each other.

Adhesion

The property of water molecules sticking to other substances.

High specific heat

The amount of energy required to change the temperature of water.

Ecology

The branch of biology that studies interactions between organisms and their environment.

Biotic components

Living or once-living parts of an ecosystem.

Abiotic components

Non-living physical and chemical parts of an ecosystem.

Energy flow

The transfer of energy from producers to consumers to decomposers.

Food chains

A linear sequence showing the transfer of energy from one organism to another.

Food webs

A complex network of many interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

Carrying capacity

The maximum population size an environment can sustain long-term.

Population growth

The change in the number of individuals in a population over time.

Exponential growth

A pattern of growth in which a population increases by a fixed percentage each year.

Logistic growth

A model of population growth that accounts for environmental limitations.

Mutualism

A type of symbiosis where both species benefit.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is unaffected.

Parasitism

A relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

Ecological succession

The process through which biological communities evolve over time.

Deforestation

The clearing or removal of trees from forested areas.

Pollution

The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment.

Plant cells

Cells that contain a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole.

Animal cells

Cells that may have centrioles and a small central vacuole.

Prokaryotic cells

Simpler cells without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic cells

More complex cells that contain a nucleus and organelles.

Cell membrane

The protective barrier that regulates what enters and exits the cell.

Passive transport

The movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy.

Diffusion

The net movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane.

Facilitated diffusion

The process of transporting molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, aided by proteins.

Active transport

The movement of particles against their concentration gradient, requiring energy.

Tonicity

The relative concentration of solutes in a solution compared to another solution.

Hypotonic solution

A solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to the cell, causing it to swell.

Hypertonic solution

A solution with a higher concentration of solutes compared to the cell, causing it to shrink.

Isotonic solution

A solution where concentrations of solutes are equal inside and outside the cell, maintaining cell stability.

Cell theory

The theory that states that all living things are composed of cells; cells are the basic unit of life; and all cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Bacteria

Single-celled prokaryotic microorganisms that can be found in various environments.

Viruses

Non-living infectious agents that require a host to replicate.

Lytic cycle

A viral reproductive cycle resulting in the immediate destruction of the host cell.

Lysogenic cycle

A viral reproductive cycle where the virus integrates into the host's genome and can remain dormant.

Protist movement

Types of movement by protists such as pseudopodia, cilia, and flagella.