Biology - First 3 chapters Keywords

Chapter 1- The Scientific Method, Chapter 2- Characteristics of life, Chapter 3 - Nutrition

What is Biology

The study of living things

Scientific Method

Scientific method is a process of investigation where problems are identified, and their explanations are tested by carrying out experiments

What are the steps in the Scientific Method

Observation, Ask a question, Hypothesis, Carry out experiment, Analyze results, Draw conclusions

Observation

An unbiased, accurate report of an event or phenomenon

Hypothesis

An educated guess based on observations

Experiment

An experiment is designed to test a hypothesis

Data

Consists of measurements, observations/information gathered during an experiment

Replicate

A repeat of an experiment.

Control

It serves as a baseline for comparison in an experiment

Conclusion

It summarises an experiment's key findings, directly addressing the research question and stating whether the data supports or refutes the initial hypothesis

Theory

A hypothesis that has been supported by different experiments

Principle/Law

A theory that has shown to be valid against long-term testing

Ethics

Refers to whether issues are morally right or wrong

What is done after drawing conclusions

The report/conclusion may be shared with other scientists around the world in a scientific website or report

Why is it important that you share your findings

It is important that you share your findings as it may help with future experiments and observations, as well as to improve factors in your experiment

What is Chapter 2 about

Characteristics of life

What is life?

It describes an organism which shows metabolism and continuity of life

Continuity of life

Living things that arise from other living things of the same type (Biogenesis)

Biogenesis

Is the principle that life arises from pre-existing life

Metabolism

Sum of all the chemical reactions in an organism

Catabolic metabolism

A reaction involving the breakdown of large substances to smaller ones, eg digestion and respiration

Anabolic

A reaction involving smaller molecules being used to make larger molecules e.g. photosynthesis

Characteristics of life

The common features shared by living organisms

Organisation

Living things are composed of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems

Nutrition

Process by which an organism obtains and uses food

Excretion

Removal of waste products of metabolism

Response

The reaction of organisms to stimuli in their environment

Reproduction

The production of new individuals

What is Chapter 3 about

Nutrition

Why do all living organisms require food?

All living organisms require food for energy, to provide the necessary building materials for growth, maintenance and repair of cells and to control chemical reactions in cells

What should a balanced diet contain??

A balanced diet should contain 2/3 carbohydrates (including dietary fiber), 1/6 protein, 1/6 fat, minerals, vitamins and water

Biomolecules

An organic compound made in living organisms

Organic Compounds

Carbon atoms bonded together make up most of the chemical compounds in living things

Monosaccharides

Single sugar molecules such as Glucose

Disaccharides

2 sugar molecules bonded together such as Sucrose, Lactose and Maltose

Polysaccharides

Made up of many sugar molecules bonded together. Eg - Starch, Glycogen and Cellulose

Phospholipids

Fat-like substances where one of the fatty acids is replaced/added a phosphate group