Topic 1 - Science

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the nature of science, scientific inquiry, characteristics of living organisms, evolution, taxonomy, and biological hierarchy.

Science

A systematic way to study the natural world through observation, experimentation, measurement, and testing. If something cannot be measured or repeatedly tested, then it is not within the realm of science.

Fact

Simple observations known to be true.

Law

Statement of what always occurs about a natural phenomenon.

Hypothesis

Possible testable explanation.

Theory

Explanation of natural occurrence that has undergone rigorous scientific testing and has not been shown to be untrue.

Scientific Inquiry

A systematic process of making observations, asking questions, forming hypotheses, making predictions, doing experiments, analyzing results, and reporting findings.

Peer-reviewed article

An article describing a study's purpose, process, and conclusions, reviewed by other researchers in the field and the publication to ensure originality, significance, logic, objectivity, and thoroughness.

Basic research

Research aimed at understanding the universe and making predictions, theoretical in nature, with no commercial objectives or economic pursuits.

Applied research

Research aimed at solving specific real-world problems, practical in nature, driven by commercial objectives to develop technology and provide solutions.

Primary literature

Original scientific research found in journals (e.g., JAMA, Science, Nature), which is increasingly challenging to read.

Secondary literature

Summaries or interpretations of primary literature, often found in popular science magazines or news outlets, with increasing confidence of scientific claims.

Life (General Definition)

The capacity for homeostasis, organization, growth, metabolism, response to stimuli, evolution, and reproduction.

Life (NASA's Definition)

A self-sustaining chemical system capable of Darwinian evolution.

Homeostasis

The ability of a system or living organism to maintain a stable internal environment.

Metabolism

The chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.

Evolution

A change in organisms over generations, leading to life's diversity, indicating that all life is related and fits onto a tree of life.

Phylogeny

A diagram that displays evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Taxonomic system

A hierarchical system used to name and classify living organisms, including categories from Domain to Species.

Binomial nomenclature

The two-part scientific naming system for species, using the genus and species name.

Biological hierarchy of organization

The organizational structure of life from its simplest (atoms) to its most complex (biosphere), with increasing complexity at each level.

Atom

Basic unit of matter that retains properties of an element.

Molecule

Multiple atoms bonded together.

Macromolecule

A large molecule, usually with repeated molecular subunits.

Organelle

Functional unit within a cell, 'organs' of the cell.

Cell

Basic unit of life.

Tissue

Different types of cells that work together for a function.

Organ

Functional unit within the body made of different tissues.

Organ system

Multiple organs working together to perform a specific function.

Organism

Individual living thing, made of organ systems.

Population

Group of organisms of the same species in a given area.

Community

All populations of all organisms in a given area.

Ecosystem

The community and non-living (abiotic) factors.

Biome

Type of ecosystem.

Biosphere

All biomes on the planet.

Biology

The scientific study of life and living organisms, encompassing many specialized fields like Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Ecology.