Ch 1 & 2: The Scientific Method & Characteristics of Life - Biology

Science

The study of the physical, material & living world

Biology

the study of living things

Hypothesis

an educated guess based on an observation

Theory

an explanation based on repeated hypothesis and experimentation

Experiment

a test for a hypothesis

Data

the information gathered in experiments

Principle / Law

Arises from a theory when it is seen always to be true under all conditions over a long period of time

Observation

When something is noticed

Variable

A factor that can change in an experiment

the scientific method

Observation, Hypothesis, Experiment, Recording, Conclusion, Hypothesis: discard, change, or accept

Control

used to provide a comparison (or standard) against which the actual experiment can be judged.

Replicate

a repeat of an experiment

double

blind procedure

Ethics

whether conduct is right or wrong.

Organism

A living thing

Metabolism

sum of all chemical reactions in an organism

Continuity of Life

living things arise from other living things of the same type

Life

the possession of all the following characteristics: organised, requiring nutrition and excretion, capable of responding and reproducing

Organisation

Living things are composed of cells, tissues, organs and organ systems

Nutrition

the process of providing or obtaining the food.

Excretion

Process by which metabolic wastes are eliminated from the body

Response

the way in which all living things react to changes in their environment.

Reproduction

the production of new individuals

Sexual Reproduction

Sex cells (gametes) from two parents unite to form the first cell of a new organism

Asexual Reproduction

does not involve the union of sex cells, simple organisms splitting into 2 or more. E.G. Bacteria.