Intro to Biology

Biology

Employs scientific knowledge to study living things.

Cells

Smallest units of an organism that are alive.

Reproduction Method

Organisms produce new organisms.

Universal Genetic Code

Determines the inherited traits of every organism on Earth.

Grow and Develop

Simple increase in size of an organism.

Need for Materials and Energy

Organisms require materials and energy to survive.

Response to Stimuli

A signal to which an organism responds.

Maintaining Homeostasis

Regulation of internal conditions like temperature and water for survival.

Evolution

The process by which organisms change over time.

Independent Variable

Variable that is deliberately changed in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The variable that changes in response to the independent variable.

Controlled Variable

Variables that are kept constant except for the one being tested.

Control Group

Group exposed to the same conditions except for the variable being tested.

Quantitative Data

Data that involves counting or measuring.

Qualitative Data

Data that describes characteristics.

Hypothesis

A scientific explanation that can be tested.

Inference

A logical interpretation based on existing scientific knowledge.

Observation

The starting point of any scientific investigation.

Scientific Theory

A tested explanation for a phenomenon.

Experimental Variables