Chapter 1: Life - Chemical, Cellular, and Evolutionary Foundations

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental concepts in Chapter 1 of Biology: How Life Works, including the scientific method, thermodynamics, biogenesis, cellular features, and the central dogma.

Biology

The science of how life works, studied from molecular mechanisms within cells to interactions among organisms in nature.

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation for an observation that leads to predictions which can be tested through experiments or further observations.

Theory

A general, broad explanation of natural phenomena that unites many hypotheses and is supported by a large body of experiments and observations.

Scientific Inquiry

The dynamic process of gaining knowledge about the world through Exploration (making observations, asking questions), Investigation (testing hypotheses, gathering data), and Communication (discussing and sharing results).

First Law of Thermodynamics

The physical law stating that energy is neither created nor destroyed; organisms transform input energy from sunlight or food into heat and work.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

The physical law stating that entropy (disorder) in a closed system always increases over time.

Spontaneous Generation

The historical, disproven belief that living organisms can arise directly from non-living matter.

Biogenesis

The scientific hypothesis and principle stating that living matter arises only from other pre-existing living matter.

Redi's Experiment

A controlled experiment using open and gauze-covered jars containing meat to demonstrate that maggots only appear when adult flies have access to lay eggs, supporting biogenesis.

Independent Variable

The variable that an experimenter deliberately changes or controls during the setup of an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured at the end of an experiment to assess the effect of the independent variable.

Sample Error

An error that occurs when conclusions are drawn from a sample group that is too small to accurately represent the entire population.

Cell Membrane

A physical structure surrounding all cells that regulates the internal environment relative to the external environment to maintain homeostasis.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells containing specialized membrane-bound organelles that create distinct functional compartments within the cell.

The Central Dogma

The basic framework describing the flow of genetic information: DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into a functional protein.

Metabolism

The chemical reactions within a cell that convert energy from one form into another, or build and break down molecules.