Human Biology, Science, and Society Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the characteristics of life, biological classification, levels of organization, and the scientific method as presented in Chapter 1 of Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues Ninth Edition.

Homeostasis

A characteristic of life where living things maintain a constant internal environment despite changes in the external environment.

Domain Bacteria

One of the three domains of life; consists of organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus.

Domain Archaea

One of the three domains of life; consists of organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus and are distinct from bacteria.

Domain Eukarya

The domain of life that includes organisms with a membrane-bound nucleus; includes the kingdoms Protista, Animalia, Fungi, and Plantae.

Kingdom Protista

A kingdom within Eukarya consisting of unicellular and simple multicellular eukaryotic organisms such as protozoans, algae, and slime molds.

Kingdom Plantae

A kingdom within Eukarya consisting of multicellular, eukaryotic, photosynthetic organisms.

Kingdom Animalia

A kingdom within Eukarya consisting of multicellular, eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms.

Kingdom Fungi

A kingdom within Eukarya consisting of eukaryotic decomposers such as molds, yeasts, and mushrooms.

Species

The smallest unit of the classification system; one or more populations of organisms with similar physical and functional characteristics that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Bipedalism

A defining feature of humans characterized by the ability to stand upright and walk on two legs.

Opposable thumbs

The ability to grasp objects between the thumb and the tips of the fingers.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element; composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Molecule

Two or more atoms held together in a stable association with each other.

Cell

The fundamental structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

Tissue

A group of similar associated cells specialized to perform a specific function.

Organ

A structure composed of two or more different tissues working together to perform a specific function.

Organ system

A group of organs that work together to serve a broad function important to the survival of an organism or species.

Organism

An individual living being composed of several organs or organ systems.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species that occupy the same geographic area and interact with each other.

Community

All the populations of different species that coexist and interact within the same environment.

Ecosystem

All living organisms in a given area plus the physical environment and energy.

Biosphere

The sum total of all ecosystems on Earth.

Science

The study of the natural world, encompassing both a body of knowledge and the process used to acquire that knowledge.

Scientific method

A process for testing ideas involving observation, generalization, hypothesis formulation, prediction, and experimentation.

Inductive reasoning

The process of making generalizations based on observations about the world.

Hypothesis

A tentative statement about the natural world that can lead to testable deductions.

Deductive reasoning

The logical process often used in the form of 'if…then' statements to make specific testable predictions based on a hypothesis.

Experiment

A carefully planned and executed procedure designed to test a prediction based on a hypothesis.

Independent variable

The component of the system that is intentionally manipulated or changed by the researcher; also known as the manipulated variable.

Dependent variable

An observed change or response in the system caused by the manipulation of the independent variable; also known as the responding variable.

Control group

In a controlled experiment, the group that receives a placebo and is used for comparison against the experimental group.

Theory

A hypothesis that is broad, extensively tested, supported over time, explains a broad range of facts, and has a high degree of reliability.