Biology Chapter 1: The Study of Life Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions and concepts from Chapter 1: The Study of Life.

Biology

The study of life and the environment in which it interacts.

Life

Entities that are able to replicate themselves without the aid of another organism.

Cyanobacteria

Ancient photosynthetic organisms, formerly called blue-green algae, shown at $300\times$ magnification as some of Earth's oldest life forms.

Stromatolites

Ancient structures along the shores of Lake Thetis in Western Australia, formed by the layering of cyanobacteria in shallow waters.

Scientific Method

A methodical series of well-defined steps and questions used to test hypotheses and establish scientific knowledge.

Sir Francis Bacon

English philosopher (1561–1626) credited with being the first to define the scientific method.

Null Hypothesis ($H_0$)

The hypothesis accepted when the experimental hypothesis ($H$) is not supported, stating that there is no relationship between independent variable $x$ and dependent variable $y$.

Independent Variable

The factor or variable that a researcher intentionally manipulates to assess its effect.

Dependent Variable

The outcome variable measured in an experiment to assess the effect of changing the independent variable.

Deductive Reasoning

A form of logical thinking that uses general premises or observations to predict specific results.

Inductive Reasoning

A form of logical thinking that takes specific observations to draw general conclusions.

Controls

Experimental conditions that are kept strictly the same across all test subjects except for the variable being evaluated.

Mimosa pudica

Also known as the sensitive plant, a plant whose leaves instantly droop and fold in response to tactile stimuli before returning to normal after a few minutes.