Biology Keywords

Hypothesis

A testable explanation for what was observed

Experiment

A controlled test designed to test your hypothesis. The outcome must be measurable.

Data

The results or observations that are recorded from the experiment

Double Blind Testing

This is when neither the tester or the subject knows who gets the placebo

Independent variable

The variable that is changed

Dependent variable

The variable that is measured

Controlled variable

The factors that are kept constant

Quantitative data

numerical data

Qualitative data

descriptive data, states if something is absent or present. can describe how something looks, smells, feels

Cellular Basis of Life

All living things are made up of one or more cells

Cell theory

All living organisms are composed of cells

Cell

the basic unit of structure and function

Tissue

a group of similar cells that work together to carry out a particular function

Organ

a group of tissues that work together to carry out one or more functions

Organ System

a group of organs working together to carry out a particular function

Nutrition

An organism’s ability to obtain and use food

Heterotrophic Nutrition

when organisms obtain their food from other sources

Autotrophic Nutrition

when an organism makes its own food

Metabolism

the sum of all chemical reactions in an organism

Anabolic Reaction

Reactions use energy to convert smaller molecules into larger molecules eg. photosynthesis

Catabolic Reactions

Reactions release energy by breaking larger molecules into smaller molecules eg. digestion

Homeostasis

the ability of an organism to maintain a constant internal environment