Comprehensive Biology Study Notes: Levels of Organization, Scientific Process, and Characteristics of Life

Vocabulary flashcards covering cellular and ecological levels of organization, the scientific process, and the 8 characteristics of life.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element which is found in all living things.

Molecule

A chemical structure consisting of two or more units called atoms.

Macromolecule

A large molecule made of many smaller molecules.

Organelle

A membrane-enclosed functional structure in a cell.

Cell

The fundamental structural and functional unit of life where life emerges.

Tissue

A group of similar cells performing a specific function.

Organ

A body structure, such as the brain, composed of several different tissues.

Organ System

Body parts that perform a specific function, in which several organs may cooperate.

Organism

An individual living thing.

Population

All individuals of a particular species living in a community.

Community

All the organisms in an ecosystem.

Ecosystem

All the organisms in a particular area, as well as the physical components with which life interacts such as soil, water, and light.

Biosphere

All life on Earth and places where life exists.

Biology

The scientific study of life.

Science

A way of knowing how to approach and understand the natural world.

Data

Recorded observations.

Qualitative Data

Scientific data in the form of recorded descriptions.

Quantitative Data

Scientific data that uses numerical measurements, which usually involve statistics.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for a set of observations that leads to predictions that can be tested by making additional observations or by performing experiments.

Theory

A broad statement supported by a growing body of evidence, much broader in scope than a hypothesis.

Prediction

A guess or testable statement based on a hypothesis.

Independent Variable

The factor in an experiment that is manipulated by the researchers.

Dependent Variable

The measure used to judge the outcome of an experiment.

Controlled Experiment

An experimental test of a hypothesis.

Order

A characteristic of life where living structures are highly ordered.

Reproduction

A characteristic of life where organisms reproduce their own kind.

Growth and Development

A characteristic of life where inherited information encoded in DNA controls the pattern of growth of all organisms.

Response to the Environment

A characteristic of life where organisms respond to environmental stimuli.

Energy Processing

The process by which living organisms capture, make, or ingest nutrients to power their life functions.

Homeostasis

The self-regulating process by which biological systems maintain a stable, steady internal environment while adjusting to changing external conditions.

Evolution

The change in heritable characteristics of a biological population over successive generations.

DNA (Heredity)

The storage of genetic information in DNA passed down to offspring to control traits.