Intro to Biology

30 vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on science, biology, life, levels of organization, classification, and the scientific method.

Science (noun)

Intellectual and practical activity encompassing the SYSTEMATIC study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.

Science (verb)

A systematic process of inquiry.

Not a belief system

Science is not a belief system.

Biology

The study of life.

Life

The condition distinguishing living organisms from inanimate matter, characterized by organization, metabolism, growth, reproduction, response to stimuli, and homeostasis.

Biosphere

Regions of the Earth's crust, waters, and atmosphere inhabited by living organisms.

Ecosystem

A community plus the physical environment.

Community

Interacting populations in a particular area.

Population

Organisms of the same species in a particular area.

Organism

An individual; complex organisms may contain organ systems.

Organ System

Composed of several organs working together to perform a specific function.

Organ

A structure composed of tissues functioning together for a specific task.

Tissue

A group of cells with a common structure and function.

Cell

The structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

Molecule

Union of two or more atoms of the same or different elements.

Atom

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

Level of Organization

A hierarchical arrangement from atoms to the biosphere describing the levels of biological complexity.

Domain

Highest taxonomic rank; includes Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Kingdom

Second-highest taxonomic rank under Domain (e.g., Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia within Eukarya).

Phylum

Taxonomic rank below Kingdom; groups organisms by major body plans or features.

Class

Taxonomic rank below Phylum; groups organisms with shared major traits.

Order

Taxonomic rank below Class; further groups organisms by traits.

Family

Taxonomic rank below Order; groups organisms by closer relations.

Genus

Taxonomic rank below Family; group of closely related species.

Species

Basic unit of classification; organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Taxonomy

Discipline of identifying, naming, and classifying organisms.

Systematics

Study of evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for an unexplained phenomenon; testable and based on observations and knowledge.

Theory

A well-supported explanation that joins related hypotheses; dynamic and updated with new evidence.

Scientific Method

A process that includes observation, hypothesis, investigation/experiment, evaluation/conclusion, and communication of results.