Biology Ch 1

Eukaryote

organism with cells that have nuclei and membrane- bound organelles.

Homeostasis

ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions.

Theory

tested and confirmed explanation for observations or phenomena.

Atom

smallest and most fundamental unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.

Prokaryote

single- celled organism that lacks organelles and does not have nuclei surrounded by a nuclear membrane.

Inductive reasoning

form of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion.

Hypothesis

suggested explanation for an observation, which one can test.

Evolution

the process of gradual change in a population or species over time.

Control

part of an experiment that does not change during the experiment.

Population

all of the individuals of a species living within a specific area.

Deductive reasoning

form of logical thinking that uses a general inclusive statement to predict specific results.

Ecosystem

all the living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, nonliving parts of that environment.

Falsifiable

able to be disproven by experimental results.

Organelle

small structures that exist within cells and carry out cellular functions.

Conclusion

section of a scientific paper that summarizes the importance of the experimental findings.

Macromolecule

large molecule, typically formed by the joining of smaller molecules.

Serendipity

fortunate accident or a lucky surprise.

Cell

smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living things.

Phylogenetic tree

diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in genetic or physical traits or both; in essence, a hypothesis concerning evolutionary connections.

Natural science

field of science that is related to the physical world and its phenomena and processes.

Microbiology

study of the structure and function of microorganisms.

Science

knowledge that covers general truths or the operation of general laws, especially when acquired and tested by the scientific method.

Tissue

group of similar cells carrying out related functions.

Community

set of populations inhabiting a particular area.

Life science

field of science, such as biology, that studies living things.

Physical science

field of science, such as geology, astronomy, physics, and chemistry, that studies nonliving matter.

Basic science

science that seeks to expand knowledge and understanding regardless of the short- term application of that knowledge.

Descriptive (discovery) science

form of science that aims to observe, explore, and investigate.

Organ system

level of organization that consists of functionally related interacting organs.

Hypothesis-based science

form of science that begins with a specific question and potential testable answers.

physical science

field of science, such as geology, astronomy, physics, and chemistry, that studies nonliving matter

population

all of the individuals of a species living within a specific area

prokaryote

single-celled organism that lacks organelles and does not have nuclei surrounded by a nuclear membrane

science

knowledge that covers general truths or the operation of general laws, especially when acquired and tested by the scientific method

scientific method

method of research with defined steps that include observation, formulation of a hypothesis, testing, and confirming or falsifying the hypothesis

serendipity

fortunate accident or a lucky surprise

theory

tested and confirmed explanation for observations or phenomena

tissue

group of similar cells carrying out related functions

variable

part of an experiment that the experimenter can vary or change

materials and methods

section of a scientific paper that includes a complete description of the substances, methods, and techniques that the researchers used to gather data

microbiology

study of the structure and function of microorganisms

molecular biology

study of biological processes and their regulation at the molecular level, including interactions among molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins

molecule

chemical structure consisting of at least two atoms held together by one or more chemical bonds

natural science

field of science that is related to the physical world and its phenomena and processes

organ

collection of related tissues grouped together performing a common function

organ system

level of organization that consists of functionally related interacting organs

organelle

small structures that exist within cells and carry out cellular functions

organism

individual living entity

paleontology

study of lifes history by means of fossils

phylogenetic tree

diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in genetic or physical traits or both; in essence, a hypothesis concerning evolutionary connections

ecosystem

all the living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, nonliving parts of that environment

eukaryote

organism with cells that have nuclei and membrane-bound organelles

evolution

the process of gradual change in a population or species over time

falsifiable

able to be disproven by experimental results

homeostasis

ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions

hypothesis

suggested explanation for an observation, which one can test

inductive reasoning

form of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion

life science

field of science, such as biology, that studies living things

macromolecule

large molecule, typically formed by the joining of smaller molecules

applied science

form of science that aims to solve real-world problems

atom

smallest and most fundamental unit of matter that retains the properties of an element

basic science

science that seeks to expand knowledge and understanding regardless of the short-term application of that knowledge

biology

the study of life

biosphere

collection of all the ecosystems on Earth

cell

smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living things

community

set of populations inhabiting a particular area

conclusion

section of a scientific paper that summarizes the importance of the experimental findings

control

part of an experiment that does not change during the experiment

descriptive science

(also, discovery science) form of science that aims to observe, explore, and investigate