The Study of Life - Science of Biology Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key definitions, concepts, and levels of biological organization from the lecture on The Study of Life.

Biology

The study of life.

Inductive reasoning

A form of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion.

Deductive reasoning

A form of logical thinking that uses a general principle or law to forecast specific results.

Descriptive (Discovery) Science

A pathway of scientific study, usually inductive, that aims to observe, explore, and discover.

Hypothesis Based Science

A pathway of scientific study, usually deductive, that begins with a specific question or problem and a potential answer or solution that can be tested.

Hypothesis

A suggested explanation for an event that is testable.

Variables

Any part of the experiment that can vary or change.

Controls

A group or condition in a scientific experiment that remains unchanged and serves as a baseline for comparison against the experimental group.

Basic science

Also known as 'pure' science, it seeks to expand knowledge regardless of the short-term application of that knowledge.

Applied science

Also known as technology, it aims to use science to solve immediate problems as defined by the researcher.

Peer-reviewed manuscripts

Scientific papers that are reviewed by a scientist's colleagues or peers.

Abstract

A concise summary of a scientific paper.

Introduction

Section of a scientific paper that provides important background information and connects the work to other work done in the field with citations.

Materials and methods

Section of a scientific paper providing a complete and accurate description of the materials and experimental design used in the study.

Results

Section of a scientific paper that narrates the findings of the experiments without interpretation.

Discussion

Section of a scientific paper that provides an interpretation of the results.

Conclusion

Section of a scientific paper that summarizes the importance of the experimental finding.

Review Articles

Publications that summarize and comment on findings published in the primary (peer-reviewed) literature.

Atoms

Smallest and most fundamental unit of matter.

Molecules

A chemical structure consisting of at least two atoms held together by one or more chemical bonds.

Macromolecules

Large molecules that are typically formed by polymerization.

Organelles

Aggregates of macromolecules surrounded by membranes found in some cells.

Cells

The smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living organisms.

Tissues

Groups of similar cells carrying out similar or related functions.

Organs and organ systems

Collections of tissues grouped together performing a common function.

Organisms

Individual living entities.

Populations

All the individuals of a species living within a specific area.

Communities

The sum of populations inhabiting a particular area.

Ecosystems

Consists of all the living things in a particular area together with the nonliving parts of that environment.

Biosphere

The collection of all ecosystems, representing the zones of life on Earth.

Prokaryotes

Single-celled or colonial organisms that do not have membrane-bound nuclei.

Eukaryotes

Organisms that do have membrane-bound organelles and a membrane-bound nucleus.

Evolution

The process of gradual change in a population or species over time, which is the source of life's diversity.