Biology Quiz Prep: Scientific Method, Categories of Life, Predator-Prey, and Biodiversity

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms and concepts from Lab 1 (Scientific Method), Lab 2 (Predator-Prey Interactions), Categories of Life, and Biodiversity.

Observation

Noticing something in nature as the first step of the scientific method.

Question

Asking what you want to investigate during a scientific inquiry.

Hypothesis

A testable explanation or prediction.

Experiment

A procedure conducted to test a hypothesis.

Conclusion

Deciding whether the experimental evidence supports the hypothesis.

Independent variable

The factor that the researcher deliberately changes in an experiment.

Dependent variable

The factor that is measured in an experiment.

Controlled variables (constants)

Conditions that are kept the same throughout an experiment.

Control group

The normal comparison group that does not receive the experimental treatment.

Experimental group

The group in an experiment that receives the treatment being tested.

Sample size

The number of organisms or trials tested in an experiment.

Repeated trials

Multiple test runs that reduce the effect of chance and make results more dependable.

Quantitative data

Data consisting of numerical measurements.

Qualitative data

Data consisting of descriptions or observations.

Controlled experiment

An investigation where one variable is changed while all other conditions remain constant.

Observational study

An investigation in which researchers observe subjects without changing anything.

Comparative experiment

An investigation in which different groups or conditions are compared.

Correlation

A relationship where two variables change together, which does not necessarily prove causation.

Prediction

The expected result if a hypothesis is correct.

Three domains of life

The top-level biological classification categories: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Bacteria

Unicellular prokaryotic organisms with no nucleus, common in almost every environment.

Archaea

Unicellular prokaryotic organisms with no nucleus that are genetically different from bacteria; some live in extreme environments.

Eukarya

Domain of uni- or multicellular organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Prokaryotic cells

Smaller and simpler cells that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic cells

Larger and more complex cells that contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Protists

A very diverse group of mostly unicellular organisms within the domain Eukarya.

Fungi

Organisms within Eukarya that absorb nutrients; examples include mushrooms and yeast.

Plants

Multicellular producers in the domain Eukarya that perform photosynthesis.

Animals

Multicellular consumers in the domain Eukarya that eat other organisms.

Unicellular

An organism made of only one cell.

Multicellular

An organism made of many cells.

Autotroph (producer)

An organism that makes its own food, usually through photosynthesis.

Heterotroph (consumer)

An organism that obtains energy by consuming other organisms.

Decomposer

An organism that breaks down dead material and recycles nutrients.

Predator

An organism that hunts and eats another organism.

Prey

An organism that is hunted and eaten by another organism.

Beans and utensils activity

A lab activity demonstrating adaptation, competition, natural selection, and predator-prey relationships, where utensils represented feeding adaptations and beans represented prey.

Biodiversity

The variety of living organisms in an area.

Genetic diversity

Differences in genes among individuals of the same species.

Species diversity

The variety and relative abundance of species in an area.

Ecosystem diversity

The variety of habitats and ecosystems in a region.

Ecological niche

The specific ecological role or function of a species in its ecosystem.

HIPPCO

An acronym for the major threats to biodiversity: Habitat loss and fragmentation, Invasive species, Pollution, Population growth, Climate change, and Overexploitation.

Species richness

The total number of different species present in an area.

Species evenness

How evenly individuals are distributed among the different species in an area.

Native species

A species that naturally occurs in a given ecosystem.

Invasive species

A non-native species that spreads and causes harm to an ecosystem.

Keystone species

A species that has an unusually large effect on its ecosystem.

Extinction

The permanent loss of a species.

Conservation

The protection and management of biological diversity.