Introduction to Biology Flashcards - Chapters 1.1 & 1.2

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental biology concepts, scientific method, reasoning types, basic vs. applied science, source materials, and theories vs. laws from Biol 11A.

Biology

The scientific study of life.

Science

Both a process for investigating and answering questions about the natural world and the body of knowledge generated by that process.

Sir Francis Bacon (1561–1626)

The individual credited with being the first to define the scientific method.

Scientific Method

A logical, rational, problem-solving way to investigate the world.

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation for a natural phenomenon that must be testable and falsifiable.

Experiment

An investigation that takes place in a controlled environment.

Deductive Reasoning

A type of reasoning that moves from a general premise or idea to predict specific results.

Inductive Reasoning

A type of reasoning that uses a number of specific observations to draw a general conclusion.

Basic Science

Science that aims to answer fundamental questions about biology.

Applied Science

Science that uses information from basic science to solve real-world problems.

Peer-Reviewed Manuscripts

Scientific articles that are reviewed by other scientists before publication to ensure the quality of the scientific work.

Primary Sources

Reports of original scientific research that follow the IMRaD format and include an Abstract, references, and acknowledgements.

IMRaD Format

An organizational structure for primary research reports consisting of Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.

Secondary Sources

Publications that summarize and compile many primary sources, with literature reviews being the most common type.

Scientific Theories

The best explanations at the time that explain why or how the natural world works, which can change with new evidence.

Scientific Laws

Statements that describe or state what happened in the natural world.