(AP Bio) Chapter 1: Introduction

review terms

What are the 7 properties of life?

1. maintain homeostasis
2. metabolism (energy/processing)
3. reproduction
4. responds to environment
5. order (cells, organs, etc.)
6. growth and development
7. evolutionary adaptation

define: biosphere

all life on earth and all of the places where life exists

define: ecosystem

all of the living things in a particular area & nonliving components with which life interacts

define: community

organisms inhabiting a particular ecosystem

define: population

all of the individuals of a species living within the bounds of a specified area

define: organism

individual living thing

define: organs/organ systems

body part made of multiple tissues and has specific functions in the body

define: tissues

a group of cells working together performing a specialized function

define: cells

life’s fundamental unit of structure and function

define: organelles

various functional components present in cells

define: molecules

chemical structures consisting of 2+ units called atoms

define: eukaryotic cell

a type of cell that contains a nucleus and other **membrane-bound organelles (enclosed)**, such as mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum

define: prokaryotic cell

a type of cell that **lacks a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.** It is typically smaller and simpler in structure compared to eukaryotic cells. They are found in bacteria and archaea, and they have genetic material floating freely in the cytoplasm.

define: DNA

double helix of nucleotides containing genetic materials

define: genes

units of inheritance, encode information to build all molecules synthesized in a cell

define: genome

entire library of genetic instructions that an organism inherits

taxonomy is the branch of biology that _____

names and classifies organisms

Is Bacteria or Archaea more similar to us (humans)?

Archaea

define: natural selection

inherit traits that are better suited for their environment are more likely to survive AND reproduce

define: hypothesis

an explanation based on observations and assumptions that lead to testable predictions (usually written in an if-then statement)

Are scientific hypothesis proved?

no, testing supports a hypothesis by not finding that it is false

define: controlled experiment

a scientific investigation in which all variables, except for the one being tested, are kept constant. This allows researchers to determine the cause-and-effect relationship between the manipulated variable (independent variable) and the observed outcome (dependent variable).

What is a common misconception about the term “controlled experiment?”

that scientists control all features of the experimental environment, usually they control unwanted variables by cancelling out their effects using a control group.

What is the difference between a theory, hypothesis, and speculation?

1. a theory is much broader in scope than a hypothesis
2. a theory is general enough to spin off many new, testable hypothesis
3. a theory is supported by a much greater body of evidence