Introductory Biology: The Biology of Organisms

A series of vocabulary flashcards summarizing key concepts and terms from the introductory biology course lecture notes.

Biology

The science of life that studies living organisms, their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy.

Scientific Method

A systematic process for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

Evolution

Genetic change in populations of organisms over time; a key concept underlying all biological sciences.

Hypothesis

A suggested explanation for an observable phenomenon or a set of propositions that can be tested.

Natural Selection

The differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in phenotype; a process driving evolutionary change.

Deductive Reasoning

A logical process where conclusions follow necessarily from the premises, often used to test hypotheses.

Inductive Reasoning

A logical process that involves making generalizations based on specific observations.

Reductionism

A philosophical approach that breaks down complex systems into simpler parts in order to understand them better.

Artifact Selection

The intentional breeding of plants or animals to enhance certain traits, resulting in changes in the genetic structure of populations.

Mutations

Changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to variations in traits and contribute to evolutionary change.

Gene Flow

The transfer of genetic variation from one population to another, influencing the genetic diversity of populations.

Genetic Drift

Random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population, which can lead to significant evolutionary changes over time.

Homeostasis

The ability of an organism to maintain stable internal conditions despite changes in the external environment.

Ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.