BIO 103 Unit 1: The Nature of Science and Life — Vocabulary Flashcards (Chapters 1, 2, and 4)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the Nature of Science, the scientific method, life characteristics, and related topics from Chapters 1, 2, and 4.

Science

A body of knowledge about the natural world plus an evidence-based process for acquiring that knowledge.

Evidence

Data and observations that support or refute scientific claims.

Peer review

Independent assessment by other scientists to validate methods and conclusions.

Self-correcting

Science corrects errors as new evidence becomes available.

Objective

Impartial analysis based on evidence rather than personal beliefs.

Hypothesis

An informed, testable, and falsifiable explanation for observations.

Testable

Capable of being evaluated by observation or experiment.

Falsifiable

Capable of being proven false by evidence.

Prediction

A specific, testable expectation derived from a hypothesis.

Observational study

A study that collects data without manipulating variables.

Descriptive study

An observational study that reports data found in nature.

Analytical study

An observational study that seeks patterns or explanations for how or why data exist.

Experiment

A repeatable manipulation of variables to test a hypothesis.

Independent variable

The variable deliberately changed by the researcher; the cause.

Dependent variable

The variable that responds to changes in the independent variable.

Control group

Baseline group kept under standard conditions with no manipulation.

Treatment group

Experimental group where the independent variable is manipulated.

Correlation

A relationship where two variables vary together; does not prove causation.

Causation

A relationship where one variable directly causes a change in another.

Scientific fact

Direct, repeatable observation about the natural world.

Scientific theory

A well-supported explanation that integrates many hypotheses and evidence.

Biological hierarchy

The organized levels at which life can be studied, from molecules to the biosphere.

Cells

The basic unit of life; organisms can be unicellular or multicellular.

Unicellular

An organism composed of a single cell.

Multicellular

An organism composed of many cells with specialized types.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, the genetic material that transmits information to offspring.

Reproduction

The process by which organisms produce offspring; can be sexual or asexual.

Sexual reproduction

Reproduction involving genetic contribution from two parents.

Asexual reproduction

Reproduction without fertilization, producing identical offspring.

Producers

Autotrophs that make their own energy from inorganic sources.

Consumers

Heterotrophs that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.

Autotrophy

Organisms that produce their own energy from inorganic sources.

Photoautotrophy

Energy from sunlight used to synthesize organic molecules via photosynthesis.

Chemoautotrophy

Energy obtained from chemical reactions to synthesize organic molecules.

Heterotrophy

Organisms deriving energy from consuming other organisms.

Metabolism

The set of chemical reactions that capture, store, and use energy.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment.

Sense and respond

Organisms sensing environmental cues and responding with behavior.

Evolution

Change in genetic characteristics of a group of organisms over generations.

Artificial selection

Human-caused modification of species through selective breeding.

Natural selection

Differential survival and reproduction based on heritable traits.

HPV

Human papillomavirus; infection linked to several cancers; vaccine prevents infection.

Vaccine

A preparation that stimulates immunity to a disease; routinely tested for safety and efficacy.

Pseudoscience

Claims that sound scientific but are not based on the scientific method.

Bias

A prejudice or preference that can affect judgment.

Conflict of interest

A situation where personal interests may influence professional judgment.

Credential

Qualifications such as degrees that establish expertise in a field.

Partula hyalina

A small white snail that has survived the rosy wolf snail; studied to understand survival.

Rosy wolf snail

A predatory snail that has driven many native snail species to extinction.

Mass extinction

A period when a large proportion of species go extinct in a short time.

Invasive species

Non-native species that spreads and harms ecosystems.

Global warming

Increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to factors including human activity.