Life Science: Classification, Inquiry, and Characteristics of Life

Vocabulary flashcards covering biological classification, taxonomic domains and kingdoms, scientific inquiry and controlled experiments, historical models, homeostasis, and characteristics of living organisms.

Taxonomy

The science of sorting organisms into groups based on similar characteristics.

Carolus Linnaeus

A Swedish botanist from the 1700s who established the eight-level classification system consisting of domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.

Nucleus

The dense part of a cell that contains the information needed to carry out cell processes.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that contain a nucleus.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that do not contain a nucleus.

Autotrophs

Organisms that make their food using energy from their environment.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that get energy by eating other organisms.

Kingdom Chromista

A kingdom within Domain Eukarya containing unicellular and multicellular organisms that are mostly autotrophs, such as water molds and diatoms.

Kingdom Protozoa

A kingdom within Domain Eukarya containing unicellular and multicellular organisms that are mostly heterotrophs, such as euglenas, amoebas, and Plasmodium.

Coenobita perlatus

The unique scientific name for a species of hermit crab, where $Coenobita$ is the genus and $perlatus$ is the species.

Cryptoprocta ferox

The scientific name for the fossa from Madagascar, which is Madagascar's largest carnivore at a length of $60\text{--}90\text{ cm}$.

Elephant Bird

An extinct bird species from Madagascar that grew almost $3\text{ m}$ tall, weighed between $350\text{ kg}$ and $500\text{ kg}$, and laid eggs up to $33\text{ cm}$ long.

Scientific Inquiry

The systematic examination of the world involving a variety of tools and skills to answer a question or solve a problem.

Controlled Experiment

An experimental test where a scientist examines the effect of one factor at a time while keeping other conditions identical.

Independent Variable

The single factor in an experiment that is directly changed by the scientist.

Dependent Variable

The factor in an experiment that changes in response to the independent variable and is measured by the scientist.

Control Group

The baseline group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental chemical or treatment.

Experimental Group

The group in a controlled experiment that is treated with the specific variable being tested.

Hypothesis

An explanation for a scientific observation that is based on limited observations and can be tested.

Rosy Periwinkle

A flowering plant native to Madagascar from which chemists isolated two anticancer chemicals approved by the FDA in the early 1960s to treat blood and bladder cancers.

Homeostasis

An organism's ability to keep its internal processes stable amidst changing external or internal conditions.

Unicellular Organisms

Organisms that are composed of only one cell.

Multicellular Organisms

Organisms that are composed of many cells working together.

Stimuli

Changes originating from the environment or from within an organism's body that cause a response.

Painted Lady Butterfly

An insect species that smells with its feet and migrates $9000\text{ miles}$ in the fall, flying at $30\text{ miles per hour}$ at an altitude of $3000\text{ feet}$.