Miller & Levine Biology Chapter 1 The Science of Biology

Science

Organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world. (1.1-3)

Observation

Use of one or more of the senses to gather information. (1.1-4)

Data

Evidence, information gathered from observations. (1.1-4)

Qualitative Data

are descriptive characteristics that can't be measured. (1.1-4*)

Quantative Data

expressed as numbers (1.1-4*)

Inference

Logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience. (1.1-4)

Hypothesis

Possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question. (1.1-5)

Spontaneous Generation

A disproved hypothesis which stated that life could arise from nonliving matter. (1.2-8)

Controlled Experiment

A test of the effect of a single variable by changing it while keeping all other variables the same. (1.2-9)

Control Setup (aka Control Group)

part of an experiment that does not contain the variable (1.2-9*)

Control Group

Exposed to the same conditions as the experimental groups except for the independent variable. (1.2-9*)

Manipulated Variable

The factor in an experiment that a scientist purposely changes. Also known and the Independent Variable. (1.2-9)

Independent Variable

The variable that is deliberately changed. Also known as the manipulated variable. (1.2-9*)

Responding Variable

The factor in an experiment that a scientist wants to observe (measure) which may change in response to the manipulated variable. Also known as a Dependent Variable. (1.2-9)

Dependent Variable

The factor that is predicted to change as a consequence of changing the independent variable. Also know as the responding variable. (1.2-9*)

Redi's Experiment

Concluded Maggots came from flies (1.2-9*)

Spallazani's Experiment

Concluded sealed gravy couldn't turn into microorganisms (1.2-11*)

Pasteur's Experiment

Concluded that curved neck flask could keep out microorganisms even if air entered jar. (1.2-12*)

Theory

A well tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations. (1.2-13,15)

Growth and Development

During an organism's development, cells differentiate, which means that the cells look different from one another and perform different functions. (1.2-13*)

Biology

Science that seeks to understand the living world. The study of life. (1.3-15)

Cell

Basic unit of living organisms. A collection of living matter that is enclosed by a barrier that keeps it separate from its surroundings. (1.3-15)

Multicellular

A living things that is made of more than one cell (1.3-15*)

Homeostasis

Process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment. (1.3-16)

DNA

The information of living growing and reproducing stored in a genetic code written in this molecule. (1.3-17*)

Genetic code

based on DNA

store the info they need to live, grow, and reproduce (1.3-17*)

Sexual reproduction

Process by which two cells (gametes), one from a male and one from a female unite to produce the first cell of a new organism. (1.3-17)

Asexual reproduction

Process by which a single organism produces identical copies of itself. (1.3-17)

Metabolism

Set of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials as it carries out its life processes. (1.3-17)

Evolve

To develop gradually. Change in the genetic composition of a population during successive generations. (1.3-17)

stimulus

A signal to which an organism responds (1.3-17)

Evolution

species change over time (1.3-19*)

Biosphere

The part of the earth that contains all living things. (1.3-19*)

Constant

A factor which is the same in every group to an experiment. (1.3-19*)

Ecosystem

A community and its non-living surroundings.(1.3-19*)

Biome

A collection of ecosystems. (3.1-64,98*)

Community

Populations that live together in a defined area.(1.3-19*)

Population

A group of organisms of the same species populating a given area. (1.3-19*)

Organism

An individual living thing. (1.3-19*)

organ system

a group of organs working together (1.3-19*)

organ

a group of tissue working together (1.3-19*)

tissue

a group of cells working together (1.3-19*)

Group of cells

Tissues (1.3-19*)

Cells

Smallest functional unit of life. (1.3-19*)

organelle

small structures inside a cell (1.3-19*)

Molecules

Groups of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. (1.3-19*)

Atoms

The building blocks of matter. (1.3-19*)

Subatomic particles

Particles inside an atom (protons, neutrons, electrons).(1.3-19*)

Metric system

System of measurement based on multiples of ten. (1.4-24)

Microscope

Device that magnifies structures that are too small to be seen with the unaided eye. (1.4-25)

Compound light microscope

Microscope that allows light to pass through a specimen and uses two lenses to form an image. (1.4-26)

Electron microscope

Microscope that forms an image by focusing beams of electrons onto a specimen. (1.4-26)

TEM

Transmission Electron Microscope; Transmits a beam of electrons through a specimen. (1.4-26*)

Transmission Electron Microscope

sends beams of electrons through a thin sample of extremely small thins (1.4-26*)

Scanning Electron Microscope

Sends beams of electrons to give a us view of the surface of extremely small things (1.4-26*)

SEM

Scanning Electron Microscope; Scans a beam of electrons across the surface of the specimen. (1.4-26*)

Cell culture

Group of cells grown in a nutrient solution from a single original cell. (1.4-27*)

Cell fractionation

Technique in which cells are broken into pieces and the different cell parts are separated. (1.4-27*)

Eyepiece

used to view specimen, contains the pointer and the ocular lens (1.4-29*)

Ocular Lens

a lens that magnifies 10x in the eyepeice (1.4-29*)

Arm of Microscope

used to carry microscope (1.4-29*)

Coarse Adjustment Knob

used to move lenses closer/away from object to find image (1.4-29*)

Fine Adjustment knob

used to focus image of object (1.4-29*)

Diaphragm

adjusts the amount of light available (1.4-29*)

Stage

supports the slide and holds the clips (1.4-29*)

Stage Clips

holds the slide in place (1.4-29*)

Slide

a glass rectangle used to view specimens (1.4-29*)

Coverslip

a plastic square used overtop of specimen and protect it from the lenses (1.4-29*)

Base

bottom of microscope where it gets hot from light (1.4-29*)

Illuminator

light source on microscope (1.4-29*)

Objective Lenses

Rotating lenses on nosepiece (1.4-29*)

Nosepiece

holds objective lenses and spins to change magnification (1.4-29*)

Low Power

100x (usually yellow) (1.4-29*)

High Power Objective

400x (usually blue) longest one (1.4-29*)

Scanning

40x (usually red) and shortest lens (1.4-29*)

Magnification

power the object size is increased by (1.4-29*)

Power

total magnification of the object (1.4-29*)

Compound Light Microscope

sends light through thin objects to create image (1.4-29*)

Light Stereoscope

Sends light over surface of living objects to view magnified (1.4-29*)

Bias

A prejudice or preference that prevents one from being impartial and objective. (1.4-29*)

Scientific Method

systematic approach to problem solving that involves observation and experimentation (1.4-29*)

Variable

single factor that is isolated and tested in an experiment (1.4-29*)

Experimental Setup

part of an experiment that contains the variable being tested (1.4-29*)

Metric System

universal system of measurement scaled on the multiples of ten (1.4-29*)

Meter

basic metric unit of length (1.4-29*)

Liter

basic metric unit of volume for liquids (1.4-29*)

Cubic Centimeter

basic metric unit of volume for solids; equal to a milliliter (1.4-29*)

Mass

measure of the amount of matter in an object (1.4-29*)

Weight

measure of the pull of gravity on a mass (1.4-29*)

Kilogram

basic metric unit of mass (1.4-29*)

Celsius Scale

metric temperature scale on which water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees (1.4-29*)