Bio midterm

What is the definition of science?

Science is confined to the natural world, involves collecting and organizing information in an orderly way, and is based on evidence, not beliefs or bias.

What is a hypothesis?

A hypothesis is a scientific explanation for a set of observations that can be tested to support or reject it.

What is an independent variable?

The independent variable is the variable that is controlled in an experiment.

What is the dependent variable?

The dependent variable is the variable that changes as a result of the independent variable.

What is a scientific theory?

A scientific theory is a very well-supported explanation of a series of principles in the natural world.

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Steps include observing and asking questions, making inferences, forming hypotheses, conducting controlled experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.

What is homeostasis?

Homeostasis is the stable condition within an organism that is maintained despite external changes.

What are isotopes?

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that differ in the number of neutrons.

What are ions?

Ions are atoms that have gained or lost electrons, resulting in a slightly positive or negative charge.

What is a compound?

A compound is a substance made up of two or more different elements that are chemically bonded together.

What is pH?

pH is a measure of the amount of hydrogen ions or hydroxide ions in a solution, indicating if it is acidic, neutral, or basic.

What is the function of catalysts in chemical reactions?

Catalysts speed up chemical reactions and lower the activation energy needed to start the reaction.

What is a covalent bond?

A covalent bond is formed when atoms share electrons.

What is an ionic bond?

An ionic bond is formed when one atom gives away or takes an electron from another atom.

What is biomass?

Biomass is the sum of all living tissue in a given trophic level.

What is the 10% rule in ecology?

The 10% rule states that only 10% of energy from an organism being eaten is transferred to the consumer in the next trophic level.

What is mutualism?

Mutualism is a type of symbiosis where both species benefit from the relationship.

What is the aphotic zone?

The aphotic zone is the region below the photic zone where photosynthesis cannot occur due to lack of sunlight.

What is an autotroph?

An autotroph is an organism that makes its own food, such as plants using photosynthesis.

What is the purpose of ecological pyramids?

Ecological pyramids illustrate the relative amounts of energy or matter contained within each trophic level of a food chain or web.

What is logistic growth?

Logistic growth is characterized by a period of exponential growth followed by a slowdown as the population reaches its carrying capacity.

What is carrying capacity?

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support.

What is demographic transition?

Demographic transition is a dramatic change from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates.

What is biomagnification?

Biomagnification occurs when pollutants are accumulated in the tissues of organisms as they ascend the food chain.

What is the cell theory?

Cell theory states that all organisms are composed of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells come from preexisting cells.

What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Prokaryotic cells are smaller, simpler, and do not have a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells are larger, more complex, and contain a nucleus.

What factors can influence the pH of a solution?

Acid concentrations can lower pH, while base concentrations can raise pH.

What is the role of buffers in biological systems?

Buffers help maintain stable pH levels by reacting with strong acids or bases to prevent sharp changes.