AP Bio U0C1

evolution

process of change over time resulting in biodiversity on Earth and the adaptation of organisms to their environments

biology

scientific study of life

biosphere

global ecological system w/ all life & places where life exist on Earth

ecosystem

particular geographic area where living organisms interact w/ others & non-living phys. environ.

community

variety of organisms living in a particular ecosystem that interact w/ each other

population

all individuals of a species living within a specific area

organism

individual living thing

organ

body part having specific bodily functions made of multiple tissues

tissue

group of cells that work together to perform specialized function

cell

life’s fundamental unit of structure & function

organelle

various functional components in cell

molecule

chemical structure of 2+ atoms (units)

reductionism

method reducing complex systems to simpler components for better study

systems biology

exploration of a biological system by analyzing its parts’ interactions

emergent properties

new, complex functions/characteristics from the interactions of smaller components

prokaryotic cell

single-celled microorganisms lacking membrane-bound organelles & distinct nucleus

eukaryotic cell

complex cell containing membrane-enclosed organelles

deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA

fundamental molecule that carries genetic instructions for the development, function, & reproduction of all known living organisms

gene

section of chromosome’s DNA; basic physical & functional unit of heredity

gene expression

entire process where gene’s info directs manufacture of a cellular product

genome

entire library of genetic instructions that an organism inherits

genomics

studying whole sets of genes/DNA in 1+ species

proteomics

studying sets of proteins & their functions

proteome

entire set of proteins expressed by given cell/tissue/organism

bioinformatics

interdisciplinary field combining computer science, statistics, & math to analyze/interpret complex biological data

producer

photosynthetic organism

consumer

organism feeding on other organisms or their remains

feedback regulation

process where output acts as input to control its own subsequent output

climate change

directional change to global climate for 3+ decades

evolution

concept that Earth’s modern organisms are modified descendants of common ancestors

natural selection

primary mechanism of evolution where organisms w/ suitable traits to their environments are able to survive, reproduce, & pass on advantageous traits to next gen

science

way of knowing involving understanding of the natural/real world

inquiry

a search for information & explanations of natural phenomena

data

recorded observations

inductive reasoning

logical process where specific observations/data are used to form a generalized conclusion

hypothesis

an explanation based on observations/assumptions leading to a testable prediction

experiment

a scientific test carried out under controlled conditions

deductive reasoning

logical process flowing in opposite direction (general -> specific)

controlled experiment

an experiment made to compare an experimental group w/ control group

variables

features/quantities that vary in an experiment

independent variable

factor being manipulated by researchers (x)

dependent variable

factor being measured that is predicted to change by the independent variable (y)

theory

a well-substantiated explanation of the natural world

model organism

species that is easily growable in lab & useful for particular investigating questions

technology

the practical appl. of scientific & organized knowledge to solve problems & benefit people