biology

Life

Arose more than 3.5 billion years ago, starting with single-celled organisms.

Evolution

The process by which organisms change over time, leading to new species from older kinds.

Cell

The basic unit of life, with all organisms made of and developing from cells.

Homeostasis

The ability of organisms to maintain stable internal conditions, such as temperature and chemical content.

Reproduction

The process by which organisms transmit hereditary information to their offspring.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid, containing genetic information and instructions for traits found in genes.

Sexual Reproduction

Involves combining hereditary information from two organisms to form a zygote.

Asexual Reproduction

Involves one organism dividing to produce identical offspring from a single parent.

Natural Selection

The driving force in evolution where organisms with favorable traits reproduce more successfully.

Interdependence

The interaction between organisms and their environment, exemplified by insects and flowers.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food, including phototrophs and chemotrophs.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that consume food for energy, including herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

Characteristics of Life

All living things are composed of cells, with multicellular organisms having specialized cells.

Growth

Occurs through cell division and enlargement, with new cells arising from preexisting cells.

Responsiveness

The ability of organisms to respond to external stimuli such as light and sound.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach including asking questions, making observations, forming hypotheses, testing, analyzing results, and communicating findings.

Hypothesis

A testable statement predicting results, often refined based on evidence.

Experimenting

The process of testing hypotheses under controlled conditions, comparing control and experimental groups.

Conclusion

A statement based on facts that supports the hypothesis and is re-testable.

Theories

Comprehensive statements formed after multiple hypotheses are tested and supported by evidence.

Laws

Universally accepted statements of fact explaining actions, often expressed mathematically.

Microscopy

The use of microscopes to enlarge images for studying organisms and cells, focusing on magnification and resolution.

Compound Light Microscope

A microscope used for live specimens with magnification up to 1000X.

Electron Microscope

Produces high magnification images (up to 200,000X) but cannot view living specimens.

Measurements

The use of SI units (metric system) for consistency in scientific measurements.