BIO 110: Fundamentals of Biology - Module 1 Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Module 1, including the scientific method, experimental design, taxonomy, characteristics of life, and levels of biological organization.

Aristotle

Greek philosopher ($384\,\text{BC}$) credited with developing methods for the philosophical study of nature and the physical universe (natural sciences).

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation that answers a specific scientific question and can be tested through experimentation.

Prediction

The expected outcome of an experiment if the underlying hypothesis is true.

Theory

A comprehensive explanation for natural phenomena that is consistently supported by repeated experimental testing and evidence over time.

Independent Variable

The specific factor or treatment in an experiment that is manipulated by the researcher to determine its effect on the measured outcome.

Dependent Variable

The outcome or effect being measured in an experiment, which is potentially influenced by changes in the independent variable.

Control Group

The experimental group that does not receive the independent variable treatment, serving as a baseline to rule out extraneous variables.

Null Hypothesis ($H^0$)

A statement proposing that there is no significant effect or difference caused by the independent variable on the dependent variable.

Alternate Hypothesis ($H^A$)

A statement offering a logical alternative to the null hypothesis, proposing that the independent variable does have a significant effect on the dependent variable.

p-value

A statistical metric used in hypothesis testing; a $p\text{-value} < 0.05$ indicates less than a $5\%$ probability that observed group differences are due to chance, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis.

Taxonomy

The scientific discipline focused on classifying, organizing, and naming living organisms.

Carolus Linnaeus

Swedish scientist ($1707\text{--}1778$) who developed the standardized classification system used for naming and organizing biological species.

Species

A group of individual organisms capable of interbreeding with one another in nature to produce viable, fertile offspring.

Population

All individual members of a single species occupying a defined geographical area at a given time.

Community

An association of interacting populations of different species coexisting within the same geographical area.

Homeostasis

The process by which living organisms maintain a consistent, stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Metabolism

The set of chemical processes in organisms that capture and consume energy, synthesize vital chemical compounds, and eliminate waste products.

Ecosystem

A biological system composed of a community of living organisms interacting with their non-living physical environment.

Biosphere

The global ecological sum of all ecosystems on Earth, encompassing all living beings and their physical habitats.

Sloth-Moth-Algae Mutualism

A complex ecological mutualism where sloths descend to defecate on the ground to transport phoretic moths to oviposition sites; the moths increase nitrogen levels in sloth fur, fueling beneficial algae growth that sloths consume for extra nutrients.

Types of Scatter Plot Correlation

Visual representations of relationships between numerical variables on a plot, classified into strong positive, weak positive, strong negative, weak negative, moderate negative, or no correlation.

Levels of Biological Organization

The hierarchical structural framework of life, expanding from organelles and cells to tissues, organs, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere.

Justified True Belief (Knowledge)

A philosophical framework defining knowledge as the intersection of belief (what is thought to be true), truth (factual reality), and justification (evidence or valid reasons for belief).