Biology Fundamentals, Key Scientists, and Characteristics of Life

A set of vocabulary flashcards reviewing essential historical figures in biology, experimental design steps, and fundamental characteristics of living organisms from lecture notes.

Gregor Mendel

Botanist, teacher, and monk known as the father of genetics.

Alexander Fleming

Physician and microbiologist who discovered penicillin and mold growth in a culture of Staphylococcus aureus.

James Watson & Francis Crick

Scientists who played a role in discovering the molecular structure of DNA and received a Nobel Prize; Crick showed evidence that 3 bases in DNA code for an amino acid in protein, and Watson discovered 4 organic bases linked in pairs.

Rosalind Franklin

Scientist who used X-ray imagery to make clear images of DNA to determine its structure, and helped discover the structure of RNA and viruses.

Hans & Zacharias Janssen

Inventors of the first compound microscope featuring multiple lenses.

Robert Hooke

Scientist who coined the term 'cell' and made improvements to the Janssen compound microscope.

Carolus Linnaeus

Father of modern taxonomy who created the modern system of naming and organizing organisms with 2 names called binomial nomenclature.

Edward Jenner

Scientist who discovered vaccination for smallpox by observing that milkmaids who had cowpox did not get smallpox.

Theodor Schwann

Scientist who investigated plant and animal cells, determined all animals are made of cells, and published the 1st statement of the cell theory: all living things are made of cells.

Matthias Schleiden

Scientist who worked with Schwann and projected that plant parts are made of cells.

Charles Darwin

Naturalist, geologist, and biologist who explained evolution by the theory of natural selection.

Rudolf Virchow

Scientist who stated the 2nd part of the cell theory: all existing cells are produced by other living cells.

Louis Pasteur

Scientist who discovered that microorganisms cause fermentation and disease, formulated germ theory, developed pasteurization, and created vaccines against anthrax and rabies.

Scientific Method

A process consisting of 6 steps: 1) Make Observations / State the problem / pose question, 2) Make Observations / Research / gather information, 3) Form a hypothesis, 4) Test hypothesis / Experiment, 5) Analyze your data, and 6) Form a conclusion.

Steps 1 and 2 of the Scientific Method

The initial steps of the scientific method that require you to use your senses.

Hypothesis

Step 3 of the scientific method; a suggested solution to the problem that must be testable and is formulated as an 'if… then…' statement predicting an outcome.

Growth

An increase in size of a living organism.

Development

A change in shape or ability as a living organism grows into a mature adult form.

Asexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving a single parent organism reproducing by itself to transmit DNA and genes to the next generation.

Sexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving two parent organisms contributing genetic info through a combination of male and female sex cells.

Adaptation

The ability of a population of organisms to genetically adapt to changing environmental conditions and evolve over time.

Cellular Organization

The characteristic of life stating all living organisms are composed of 1 or more cells, which are the smallest unit capable of all life functions.

Unicellular Organisms

Organisms composed of a single cell, such as bacteria and protists.

Multicellular Organisms

Organisms composed of multiple cells where cells have specific functions.