Science Process Skills, Cell Biology, Tissues, Animal Classification, Heredity, and Ecosystems

Vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes covering the nature of science, cell biology, plant/animal tissues, vertebrate/invertebrate structures, heredity, and ecosystem interactions.

Nature of Science

The way scientific knowledge is validated, emphasizing the importance of empirical observations over time, personal influences, imagination, and discussion among scientists in shaping scientific understanding.

Science - A Process Approach (SAPA)

A set of $95$ broadly transferable abilities defined by Padilla (2018).

Observing

A basic science process skill that involves using the senses.

Inferring

A basic science process skill that involves making an educated guess.

Predicting

A basic science process skill that involves determining a future outcome.

Controlling Variables

An integrated science process skill focused on managing variables that affect an experiment.

Formulating Hypotheses

An integrated science process skill involving stating an expected outcome.

Cell

The basic unit of life.

Robert Hooke

Scientist who discovered cells in cork in 1665.

Matthias Jakob Schleiden

Proponent of cell theory (1804-1881) who focused on plant cells.

Theodor Schwann

Proponent of cell theory (1810-1882) who focused on animal cells.

Rudolf Virchow

Proponent of cell theory (1821-1902) who stated that every cell comes from a pre-existing cell.

Robert Brown

Scientist (1773-1858) who discovered the cell nucleus.

Prokaryotic Cells

Single-celled organisms that do not have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic Cells

Multicellular organisms (like plants and animals) possessing a clearly defined nucleus and containing membrane-bound organelles.

Cell Membrane

A double layer that supports and protects the cell and allows materials in and out.

Lysosome

Organelle that contains digestive enzymes that destroy damaged organelles and invaders; present in animal cells.

Cytoplasm

Jelly-like fluid that surrounds and protects the organelles inside the cell.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell that contains the DNA.

Nucleolus

A round structure in the nucleus that makes ribosomes.

Ground Tissue

The tissue that makes up the majority of a plant, consisting of parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma cells.

Parenchyma Cells

Most abundant plant cells that contain chloroplasts and carry on photosynthesis.

Collenchyma Cells

Plant cells similar to parenchyma cells except they have thicker primary cell walls.

Sclerenchyma Cells

Plant cells with thick secondary cell walls impregnated with lignin that support mature regions of a plant.

Lignin

A highly resistant organic substance that makes cell walls tough and hard.

Xylem

Vascular tissue that transports water and minerals from the roots to the leaves.

Phloem

Vascular tissue that transports sucrose and other organic compounds, usually from the leaves to the roots.

Dermal Tissue

Outer layer of tissue that surrounds the primary body of vascular plants, performing transpiration, gas exchange, and defense.

Vacuole

Organelle that stores food and water inside the cell.

Golgi Body

Organelle that processes and packages materials for the cell.

Mitochondria

The powerhouse of the cell that breaks down food to produce energy in the form of ATP.

Rough E.R.

Endoplasmic reticulum that builds and transports substances through the cell and has ribosomes on it.

Smooth E.R.

Endoplasmic reticulum that builds and transports substances through the cell and does not have ribosomes.

Ribosome

Organelle that helps make protein for the cell.

Chloroplast

Plant cell structure containing green pigment chlorophyll that changes sunlight into sugar.

Tissue

A group of specialized cells that perform a particular function.

Epithelial Tissue

Also called epithelium; consists of tightly packed cells forming a continuous layer used in secretion, absorption, excretion, and filtration.

Connective Tissue

Most abundant and widely distributed animal tissue; supports, provides structure, stores fat, and moves nutrients between tissues and organs.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue composed of muscle fibers containing actin and myosin filaments whose interaction accounts for movement.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue containing neurons and neuroglia that conveys electrical signals throughout the body.

Backbone (Spine)

Structure in vertebrates made of small bones called vertebrae that supports the body and protects the spinal cord.

Endoskeleton

An internal frame made of bone or cartilage that provides shape and anchors muscle movement.

Closed Circulatory System

A heart system that pumps blood through a continuous network of blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries).

Exoskeleton

A tough outer covering found in insects and crabs that protects soft inner tissue and prevents drying out.

Hydrostatic Skeleton

A fluid-filled internal cavity surrounded by muscles (found in worms and jellyfish) providing support and movement via pressure changes.

Open Circulatory System

A simpler heart or pulsating vessels that pump blood directly into body cavities to bathe organs.

Genotype

An organism's specific genetic makeup (the alleles it carries).

Phenotype

The observable physical or physiological expression of genetic traits.

Meiosis

The process during formation of sex cells (gametes) where chromosomes undergo processes like crossing over to swap DNA segments.

Mutations

Sudden, random changes in the DNA sequence that can introduce entirely new traits into a population.

Inheritance

The process by which traits are passed from parents to offspring, forming the basis of heredity.

Genetic Diversity

The variety of genes within a single group or species.

Species Diversity

The number and variety of different species in a specific habitat.

Ecosystem Diversity

The variety of different habitats, communities, and ecological processes in a region.

Adaptation

Inherited traits that help organisms survive changes in their home environment.

Speciation

The process over long periods where isolated populations accumulate distinct hereditary changes, eventually splitting into entirely new species.

Producers (Autotrophs)

Green plants or algae that make food from sunlight and form the base trophic level.

Primary Consumers

Herbivores that eat producers.

Secondary Consumers

Carnivores that eat herbivores.

Tertiary Consumers

Top carnivores that eat other carnivores.

Decomposers

Fungi and bacteria that break down dead matter to recycle nutrients.

Ten Percent Rule (Energy Loss)

Only ten percent ($10\%$) of energy moves up to the next trophic level; the rest is lost as heat.

Predation ($+/-$)

A biological interaction where one organism (predator) kills and eats another (prey).

Competition ($-/-$)

A biological interaction where two organisms fight for the same limited resources like food, water, or space.

Mutualism ($+/+$)

A biological interaction where both species benefit from the relationship.

Commensalism ($+/\text{0}$)

A biological interaction where one species benefits while the other is unaffected.

Parasitism ($+/-$)

A biological interaction where one species (parasite) benefits at the expense of a host organism.