Biology Chapter 1

Biology

Observation

process of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way

Inference

a logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience

Hypothesis

possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question

Controlled Experiment

experiment in which only one variable is changed

Independent Variable (Manipulated Variable)

factor in a controlled experiment that is deliberately changed

Dependent Variable (Responding Variable)

the variable that is observed and that changes in response to the independent variable

Control Group

group in an experiment that is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group except for one independent variable

Data

evidence; information gathered from observations

Theory

well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations and hypotheses, and enables scientists to make accurate predictions about new situations

Bias

a particular preference or point of view that is personal rather than scientific (comes from the French word for "slanted")

Biology

the scientific study of life

Sexual Reproduction

type of reproduction in which cells from two parents unite to form the first cell of a new organism

Asexual Reproduction

process of reproduction involving a single parent that results in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid, genetic material that organisms inherit from their parents

Metabolism

the combination of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials

Stimulus

a signal to which an organism responds

Homeostasis

relatively constant internal physical and chemical conditions that organisms maintain

Evolve

change over time