ap bio chapters 1-2

scientific skepticism

questions claims based on scientific verifiability

scientific law

describes what always happens under certain conditions in nature

nature can be understood means

assuming universe functions via pattern, technology allows understanding of the “facets” of universe

scientific method

method for gathering observable/empricial data as potential evidence for evaluation

hypothesis

suggested explanation of question based on testable evidence (must be falsifiable, proving false)
if false - refine or create new

inductive vs deductive reasoning

deductive = determines a single fact FROM general statement
inductive = determines general statement from a set of facts (conclusion likely true, but not 100% since it is a prediction)

confirmation bias

expectations influence perception of world/experiences

experiment meaning

test used to eliminate hypothesis(s) to narrow down to a conclusion

why are controls important

limit factors that may influence the results

accuracy vs precision

accuracy - how close 1 measured/calculated result is to actual value, precision - reproducibility of the same results under same conditions

reducing chances of error is good bc…

higher reproducibility/acceptance of study

features a theory must have to be scientific theory

• consistent with pre-existing theory

  • supported by several pillars of evidence

superseded theory example

Lamarck: giraffe’s necks grow over time (replaced)

scientific theory vs. law

theory explain how nature works/reasoning for certain characteristics, law provides rules for how nature behaves under conditions

scientific model

representations of reality; help develop acceptably accurate solutions / scientific theories

model organism

non-human species studied to understand biological processes

factors important to evaluate a model

• predict future observations

• explain past observations

• control events

• cost

• ease

scientist

person performing research to work towards more comprehensive understanding of nature

influences of science

• competition

• government

• communication

four unifying principles that form modern biology

• cell theory - all living things are made of cells

• evolution - natural selection allows for change in traits over time

• genetics - traits in DNA, passed down

• homeostasis - organism’s ability to maintain internal stability

3/7 characteristics of living things

• response to stimuli

• maintain homeostasis

• reproduce

adaptations

adjusted to environment

metabolism vs homeostasis

• metabolism - sum of chemical reactions needed to survive

• home. - maintaining stable internal condition

cell

basic unit of structure of all living organisms

mutualism

both species clearly benefit

commensalism

only one side of interaction benefits

predation

organism kills and eats another organism

levels of organization

Biosphere - all living things in environment
ecosystem - small group relations with environment
community - relation between groups of species
population - group of inidividuals of single species

interdependent

rely on another organism to survive

evolution

populations of organisms change over time

natural selection

causes heritable traits to be passed down if they are helpful to survive/reproduce

modern evolutionary theory

Darwin proposes natural selection/origin of humans combined with/ Mendelian inheritance

are large animals more evolved than bacteria?

no - less genetic material does not mean that. bacteria have evolved, like humans, over trillions of years,

element

pure substance that cannot be broken down

compound

new substance formed by elements reacting

mixture vs. compound

mix - more than 1 chemical substance/no fixed chem. composition
comp - chemical composition made by rxn

capillary action

ability for liquid to flow against gravity

property of water that maintains homeostasis

specific heat - temp. regulation

solution

homogeneous mixture made of two or more substances