Lesson 1

Biology

Scientific study of life.

Atom

Fundamental building block of all matter.

Molecule

An association of two or more atoms.

Cell

Smallest unit of life.

Organism

Consists of 1 or more cells.

Population

Group of individuals of a species in a given area.

Community

All populations of all species in a given area.

Ecosystem

A community interacting with its environment.

Biosphere

All regions of Earth that hold life.

Energy

The capacity to do work.

Nutrients

Necessary for survival, An organism can’t make for itself

Producer

Make own food using energy and simple raw materials from nonbiological sources.

Consumer

Obtain energy and nutrients by feeding on other organisms.

Homeostasis

Organisms sense and respond to change inside and outside themselves.

Growth

Increase in size, volume, and number of cells in multi-celled species.

Development

Process by which the first cell of a new individual becomes a multicelled adult.

Reproduction

Process by which individuals produce offspring.

Inheritance

Transmission of DNA to offspring.

DNA

Carries hereditary information. Source of life’s diversity.

Biodiversity

Scope of variation among living organisms.

Nucleus

Saclike structure containing cell’s DNA.

Bacteria

Most numerous organisms on Earth.

Archaea

More closely related to eukaryotes than to bacteria.

Protists

Simplest eukaryotes with great diversity.

Fungi

Eukaryotic consumer that breaks down food externally.

Plant

Usually a multi-celled, photosynthetic producer.

Genus

Group of species that share a set of unique traits.

Taxon

A group of organisms that share a unique set of traits.

Prediction

Statement based on a hypothesis.

Experiment

Test designed to support or falsify a prediction.

Variable

Characteristics that differs among individuals or overtime.

Controlled Variable

Group not exposed to the independent variable being tested.