Grade 8 Biology - Test 1 Flashcards

This does not include all of the questions! Please use these flashcards by answer in with the definition and these flashcards are not made to be used with the writing format.

Organism

Organism

An individual form of life such as such as a plant, animal, bacterium, protist, or fungus

Characteristic

a feature that helps to identify something

Cell

the smallest units that make up a living thing

Unicellular

organisms that are made of 1 cell

Multicellular

organisms that are made of more than 1 cell

Sexual Reproduction

The mixing of genetic material from 2 members of the same species

Asexual Reproduction

Reproduction that requires ONE parent. Offspring are genetically identical to the parent. No mixing of genetic material.

Metabolism

The total sum of all chemical reactions in the an organism

Stimulus

is a signal to which an organism responds

Response

is a reaction to something or stimulus in the environment

Homeostasis

Methods used by all living things to maintain stable internal conditions even when the external conditions change.

Ex: Sweat to cool down, Sensations of thirst and hunger

Energy

the ability to cause change in matter, especially to do work.

Autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food

Heterotrophs

Organisms that must eat other organisms for food to get energy

Hypothesis

A possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question.

“An educated guess”

Usually written as an “If…, then…” statement.

Independent Variable

the manipulated variable

y-axis

Dependent Variable

the responding variable, the variable the responds to the change in the independent variable

x-axis

Control Variable

the variable(s) that remain constant or unchanged

Taxonomy

the scientific study of how organisms are named and classified

Classification

the grouping of things based on similarities and shared traits

Binomial Nomenclature

• Two-name system

  • Scientific name is in latin and written in Italics.

  • First name is the organism’s genus and begins with a capital letter.

  • Second name is the organism’s species and is lowercase

Scientific Name

A standardized two-part name for an organism that is used by all scientists

Domain

The largest, most inclusive level of organization for organisms.

The Broadest Level of Classification

Genus

A group of closely related, similar organisms. A taxonomic classification that includes more than one species.

Species

A group of similar organisms that can mate with each other and produce offspring that can also mate and reproduce

The most specific grouping of organisms

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

• the genetic code found in every cell

• inherited and controls your traits

• All organisms store the complex information they need to live, grow and reproduce in DNA.

What are the 8 Characteristics of Living Things?

1. Cells

2. Able to Reproduce

3. DNA

4. Grow and Develop

5. Obtain and Use Energy

6. Respond to Their Environment

7. Homeostasis

8. Adapt and Evolve

What are the 3 needs of Living Things?

Food

Water

Living space

What are the 7 steps of the Scientific Method?

1. Ask a question 

2. Gather information, do research 

3. Develop a hypothesis

4. Design and do an experiment 

5. Collect and analyze data 

6. Make a conclusion 

7. Communicate the results