Classification, Characteristics of Life, and Experimental Design Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering biological classification, taxonomy, cladograms, characteristics of life, and experimental design principles.

Dichotomous Key

A series of paired statements that describe physical characteristics of organisms, used to distinguish between species and identify their scientific name.

Phylogeny

The study of evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Cladogram

A diagram that depicts evolutionary relationships and derived characteristics among groups of organisms, showing how one organism branches off from another during evolution.

Derived Characteristic

A trait or characteristic that is different or newer than what was seen in previous ancestral groups on a cladogram.

Evolutionary Classification

The strategy of grouping organisms based on their pattern of evolution using genetic information (DNA) and biochemistry as well as expressed physical traits.

Aristotle

The very first person in recorded history to classify organisms, using a system with two categories: Animals and Plants.

Carolus Linnaeus

An $18\text{th}$-century scientist who developed Binomial Nomenclature, a two-word naming system based on genus and species.

Binomial Nomenclature

The naming system developed by Carolus Linnaeus that assigns each organism a formal two-part scientific name consisting of its genus and species.

Taxonomy

The study of classification, identification, and organization of living organisms.

Taxa

Groups or specific levels of organization in taxonomy.

Hierarchy of Taxa

The sequence of classification levels arranged from broadest to most specific: Domain, Kingdom, Phyla, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.

Prokaryotes

Simpler, smaller cells that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, with genetic material (DNA) free-floating in the cytoplasm, such as bacteria and archaea.

Eukaryotes

Larger, more complex cells that possess a nucleus containing their DNA and contain membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum.

Three Domains

The top-level categories of life consisting of Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living objects in an environment that were never alive and were never part of a living organism.

Biotic Factors

Anything in an environment that is alive or was or is part of a living organism.

G.O.R.A.C.E.R.H.

An acronym representing the $8$ fundamental traits defining all living organisms: Grow and develop, Organized, Respond to environment, Adapt and evolve, Cells, Energy use, Reproduce, and Homeostasis.

Metabolism

The set of chemical reactions undergone by a living organism to obtain and use energy for growth, repair, and maintenance.

Homeostasis

The process by which organisms maintain stable internal conditions, such as temperature and pH, despite changes in the external environment.

Experiment

A carefully planned scientific investigation that tests one factor at a time to collect evidence, analyze data, and draw reliable conclusions.

Research Question

The specific question or inquiry that an experiment is designed to explore.

Hypothesis

A testable statement that predicts the answer to a research question.

Independent Variable

The specific factor or variable in an experiment that is directly changed or manipulated by the experimenter.

Dependent Variable

The factor in an experiment that is measured or observed, which changes in response to the independent variable.

Control Group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the independent variable, serving as a baseline for comparison against experimental groups.

Experimental Group

The group or groups in an experiment that receive the independent variable being tested.

Bar Graph

A type of graph used in biology primarily to compare different variables or discrete categories.

Line Graph

A type of graph used in biology to display data points showing changes or trends over time.