Grade 11 Biology - Unit 1: The Science of Biology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from Grade 11 Biology Unit 1 covering definitions of major subdisciplines, scientific methodology, experimental variables, biological tools, biotechnology, and HIV/AIDS.

Biology

The science of life and living organisms (both unicellular and multicellular), derived from the Greek words Bios (life) and Logos (study).

Astrobiologists

Biologists who try to find evidence of life on other planets in our solar system and in galaxies elsewhere in the universe.

Bio-medical Research

A biological field focused on the development of new drugs and vaccines, as well as studying how diseases develop in order to find cures.

Microbiology

The branch of biology studying how microorganisms of all kinds function.

Paleobiology

The study of how life began on Earth and evolved from simple life forms into more complex ones using evidence from rocks and fossils.

Science

A unique system of acquiring knowledge based on the scientific method, derived from the Latin word Scientia meaning knowledge.

Experimental Science

A branch of science that depends directly on the use of experiments to obtain information.

Applied Science

The practical use of scientific research to meet specific human needs.

Scientific Method

The systematic process by which scientists approach their work, ranging from observation and questioning to experiment design and reporting results.

Control Group

The standard baseline group in an experiment against which experimental groups are compared.

Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that is being tested or manipulated in order to compare its results with the control group.

Independent Variable

The variable that the experimenter deliberately changes to observe whether it impacts the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The factor in an experiment that the scientist measures to see if it changes when the independent variable is altered.

Controlled Variables

Factors other than the independent variable that are kept constant to prevent them from influencing experimental results.

Confounding Variables

Factors that cannot be controlled in an experiment and which may influence the final results.

Accuracy

Refers to how precisely something has been measured or counted during an investigation.

Reliability

The measure of how dependable and consistent the results of an experiment are.

Validity

The extent to which an experiment measures what it claims to measure, ensured when results are caused only by changes in the independent variable.

Colorimeter

A special apparatus that measures how much light passes through a liquid to provide objective measurements and increase experiment reliability.

Petri Dish

A round glass or plastic dish used in laboratories primarily to culture organisms such as bacteria or plants.

Agar

A jelly-like substance derived from seaweed used as a growth medium for culturing microorganisms or plants in Petri dishes.

Micropropagation

A technique of growing thousands of genetically identical plant clones from just a few cells (explants) on nutrient agars in Petri dishes.

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

A high-power electron microscope that uses electron beams to reveal the detailed internal structure of cells.

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

An electron microscope that scans specimens with a high-energy beam of electrons to create detailed 3D surface images.

Quadrat

A metal square or frame placed randomly on land or underwater to sample and estimate the abundance of organisms in an area.

Transect Line

A tape measure or marked rope laid across an ecosystem along which quadrats are placed to record changes in species distribution.

Plant Press

A device comprising boards, cardboard, newspaper, and friction bands used to preserve the physical structure and form of plant specimens for later study.

Pitfall Trap

A field trap formed by sinking a container into soil covered by wood to capture small ground-dwelling animals while keeping them safe from predators.

Data Logger

An electronic device used in scientific investigations to continuously record experimental information.

pH Kit

A testing kit used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of soil or water samples.

Flow Meter

An instrument used in field studies to measure the rate of flow of water in aquatic environments.

Field Microscope

A portable microscope used by biologists to examine the detailed structure of fresh specimens directly in the field.

Theodolite

A surveying instrument used by field biologists to measure the height of trees or the gradient of land slopes.

GPS Receiver

A Global Positioning System receiver used by field scientists to record positions quickly and accurately to map study areas.

Biotechnology

The use of micro-organisms, cells, and enzymes to create products and technologies that benefit mankind.

AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a life-threatening condition caused by HIV that weakens the immune system, leading to opportunistic infections.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a retrovirus that infects immune system T-helper cells, eventually leading to AIDS.

T-helper Cells

Specialized white blood cells in the immune system targeted and infected by HIV.

Retrovirus

A class of RNA viruses, such as HIV, that convert their RNA genetic material into host DNA during infection.

Anti-retroviral Drugs

Medications engineered to target and break specific stages in the viral life cycle of retroviruses like HIV.

HAART

Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy; a multi-drug combination treatment used to control HIV infection.

Herd Immunity

A form of indirect protection from infectious disease that occurs when a large percentage of a population becomes immune, breaking the transmission pathway.