Honors Biology I Chapter 1 Vocab

Vocabulary flashcards created from Chapter 1 notes covering scientific inquiry, science in context, and patterns of life.

Controlled experiment

experiment in which only one variable is changed

Control group

in an experiment, a group that serves as a standard of comparison with another group to which the control group is identical except for one factor

Dependent variable

in an experiment, the factor that changes as a result of manipulation of one or more other factors; also called a responding variable

Experimental group

in an experiment, a group that is identical to a control group except for one factor and that is compared with the control group

Hypothesis

in science, an idea or explanation that is based on observations and that can be tested

Independent variable

in an experiment, the factor that is deliberate manipulated, also called the manipulated variable

Inference

a logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience

Law

mathematical, based on repeating data that tells us how nature works

Observation

the process of obtaining information by using the senses; the information obtained by using the senses

Prediction

a statement made in advance that expresses the results that will be obtained from testing a hypothesis if the hypothesis is supported; the expected outcome if a hypothesis is accurate

Qualitative data

data includes subjective observations

Quantitative data

data includes numbers taken from measurements

Scientific methodology

involves observing, asking questions, forming hypotheses, conducting controlled experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions

Theory

an explanation for some phenomenon that is based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning; that is supported by a large quantity of evidence, and that does not conflict with any existing experimental results or observations

Bias

particular preference or point of view that is personal rather than scientific

Peer review

the process in which experts in a given field examine the results and conclusions of a scientist's study before that study is accepted for publication

Asexual reproduction

process of reproduction involving a single parent that results in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent

Biology

the study of life

Compound light microscope

a microscope that uses light to illuminate a specimen that is then magnified by two lenses

Density

ratio of the mass of an object to its volume

DNA

(deoxyribonucleic acid) genetic material that organisms inherit from their parents

Eyepiece (ocular lens)

the part of a compound light microscope that magnifies an image, usually ten times, also called an ocular lens

Evolve

a heritable over time

Homeostasis

the steady-state physiological condition of the body

Magnification

the increase of an object's apparent size by using lenses or mirrors

Mass

measurement of the amount of matter in an object

Metabolism

the sum of all chemical processes that occur in an organism

Metric system

a decimal-based standard system of measurement that is used by scientists; similar to the Systeme Internationale

Natural selection

the process by which individuals that are better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce more successfully than less well adapted individual sod; a theory to explain the mechanism of evolution

Objective lens

the part of a compound light microscope that is located directly above the specimen and that magnifies the image of the specimen

Resolution

in microscopes, the ability to form images with fine detail

Scanning electron microscope (SEM)

a microscope that produces an enlarged, three-dimensional image of an object by using a beam of electrons rather than light

Sexual reproduction

type of reproduction in which cells from two parents unite to form the first cell of a new organism

Stage

a platform of a compound light microscope that supports the slide holding the specimen

Stimulus

signal to which an organism responds

Transmission electron microscope (TEM)

a microscope that transmits a beam of electrons through a very thin slice of specimen and that can magnify up to 200,000 times

Volume

amount of space occupied by an object