Biology Chapter 1 Notes Flashcards

Biology

The study of living things.

Organism

Any living thing.

Cellular organization

A characteristic of all living organisms that involves being composed of one or more cells.

Ordered complexity

A characteristic of all living organisms that refers to the complex organization of the parts of an organism.

Sensitivity to environment

A characteristic of all living organisms indicating their ability to respond to environmental stimuli.

Growth, development, and reproduction

A characteristic of all living organisms describing how they grow, develop, and reproduce.

Energy utilization

A characteristic of all living organisms that explains their ability to use energy to maintain internal order.

Homeostasis

A characteristic of all living organisms that relates to maintaining a stable internal environment.

Evolutionary adaptation

A characteristic of all living organisms responsible for changes that occur over generations.

Prokaryotic Cells

Simpler, usually smaller cells that do not contain a nucleus or other membrane-enclosed organelles.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells with membrane-enclosed organelles, including a nucleus, that can be unicellular or multicellular.

Emergent properties

Characteristics that arise from the arrangement and interactions of parts in complex systems.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach used by scientists to gain understanding of the natural world.

Hypothesis

A possible explanation for an observation that must be tested to determine its validity.

Controlled Experiment

An experiment in which an experimental group is compared with a control group.

Independent variable

The variable that is manipulated by researchers in an experiment.

Dependent variable

The variable that is measured and is predicted to be affected in response to changes in the independent variable.

Deductive reasoning

Logical reasoning that moves from general observations to specific conclusions.

Inductive reasoning

Logical reasoning that moves from specific observations to broader generalizations.

Basic Research

Research intended to extend the boundaries of what we know.

Applied Research

Research that builds upon basic research and is often used in industry.

Structure Determines Function

The principle that indicates how the structure of a biological organization gives clues about its function.

Energy and Matter

Concepts describing how living organisms transfer and transform energy and matter within their systems.

Gene Expression

The process of converting the code of DNA into a protein, including transcription and translation.

Evolution

The process of biological change in which species accumulate differences from their ancestors.

Taxonomy

The grouping of species based on common ancestry.

Domain Bacteria

Unicellular prokaryotes that inhabit diverse environments on Earth.

Domain Archaea

Unicellular prokaryotes that often live in extreme environments.

Domain Eukarya

Organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular and have cells with internal compartments.