Properties of Life and Biological Classification

These flashcards cover the properties of life, biological classification, and scientific methods that are essential for understanding the foundational elements of biology.

Properties of Life

Order, Reproduction, Response to Environment, Homeostasis, Energy Requirement, Adaptations, Evolution.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a constant internal environment in an organism.

Adaptations

Traits that a species has developed to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Unity of Life

The shared characteristics among all living things due to common ancestry.

Three Domains of Life

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; generally smaller and simpler.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; generally larger and more complex.

Scientific Method

A systematic process of research involving defined steps to explore phenomena.

Hypothesis

A suggested explanation for an event that can be tested.

Scientific Theory

A well-substantiated explanation that is widely accepted and thoroughly tested.

Controlled Experiment

An experiment that tests the effect of a variable while keeping other variables constant.

Variable

Any part of an experiment that can change or be changed.

Descriptive Science

Research that begins with observations and does not start with a hypothesis.

Kingdoms of Eukarya

Includes Protista, Fungi, and Plantae.

Distinguishing Features of Protists

Eukaryotic organisms that are mostly unicellular and do not fit well into plant, animal, or fungi kingdoms.

Inductive Reasoning

A logical process that involves drawing general conclusions from specific observations.

Deductive Reasoning

Using general principles to predict specific results.