The Study of Life: Biology Fundamentals

Vocabulary flashcards covering the introductory concepts of biology, the scientific method, reasoning types, and the levels of biological organization based on Chapter 1.

Biology

The study of life.

Science

Knowledge that covers general truths or the operation of general laws, especially when acquired and tested by the scientific method.

Scientific Method

A method of research with defined steps that include experiments and careful observation, including the testing of hypotheses by means of repeatable experiments.

Hypothesis

A suggested explanation for an event, which one can test.

Theory

A tested and confirmed explanation for observations or phenomena.

Natural Sciences

Fields of science related to the physical world and its phenomena and processes, such as astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics.

Life Sciences

A division of natural sciences that studies living things, including biology.

Physical Sciences

A division of natural sciences that studies nonliving matter, including astronomy, geology, physics, and chemistry.

Descriptive Science

Also known as discovery science; an approach that aims to observe, explore, and discover, usually utilizing inductive reasoning.

Hypothesis-based Science

An approach that begins with a specific question or problem and a potential answer or solution that one can test, usually utilizing deductive reasoning.

Falsifiable

A requirement of a valid hypothesis meaning that experimental results can disprove it.

Variable

Any part of an experiment that can vary or change during the experiment.

Control Group

A part of an experiment that contains every feature of the experimental group except it is not given the manipulation that the researcher hypothesizes.

Basic Science

Also called "pure" science; seeks to expand knowledge regardless of the short-term application of that knowledge.

Applied Science

Also called "technology"; aims to use science to solve real-world problems.

Peer-reviewed Manuscripts

Scientific papers that a scientist’s colleagues or peers review to ensure the work is original, significant, logical, and thorough.

Serendipity

A fortunate accident or a lucky surprise leading to a discovery, such as Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin.

Bioethics

A field that works to define guidelines for current practice and ethical considerations in research involving people or other living things.

Homeostasis

The ability of an organism to maintain relatively stable internal conditions, such as temperature or $pH$, despite environmental changes.

Atom

The smallest and most fundamental unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.

Macromolecule

Large molecules typically formed by polymerization, such as Deoxyribonucleic acid ($DNA$).

Organelles

Small structures that exist within cells and carry out indispensable functions, such as mitochondria and chloroplasts.

Cell

The smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living organisms.

Prokaryotes

Single-celled or colonial organisms that do not have membrane-bound nuclei or organelles.

Eukaryotes

Organisms whose cells have membrane-bound organelles and a membrane-bound nucleus.

Population

All the individuals of a species living within a specific area.

Community

The sum of populations inhabiting a particular area.

Ecosystem

All the living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, nonliving parts of that environment.

Biosphere

The collection of all ecosystems, representing the zones of life on Earth including land, water, and atmosphere.

Phylogenetic Tree

A diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among biological species based on similarities and differences in genetic or physical traits.

Chemotaxis

The process by which tiny bacteria move toward or away from chemicals.

Phototaxis

The process by which organisms move toward or away from light.

Although the scientific method is used by most of the sciences, it can also be applied to everyday situations. Think about a problem that you may have at home, at school, or with your car, and apply the scientific method to solve it.

This process involves making observations, forming a hypothesis, conducting experiments, and drawing conclusions based on the results. Think about an an example from your own life

Give an example of how applied science has had a direct effect on your daily life.

This can be improvements in the power grid, to new medications, water purity, cell phones ecetera. Come up with your own example.

Name two topics that are likely to be studied by biologists, and two areas of scientific study that would fall outside the realm of biology.

Examples include ecology and genetics for biology, while astronomy and geology would be outside of it.

Thinking about the topic of cancer, write a basic science question and an applied science question that a researcher interested in this topic might ask.

A basic science question could be, "What cellular mechanisms contribute to cancer cell proliferation?" An applied science question might be, "How can we develop targeted therapies to inhibit cancer growth in patients?"

Select two items that biologists agree are necessary in order to consider an organism “alive.” For each, give an example of a nonliving object that otherwise fits the definition of “alive.”

Biologists generally agree that organization and metabolism are necessary for life. For example, a computer can be highly organized and process information, yet it is not considered alive due to lack of metabolism.

Consider the levels of organization of the biological world, and place each of these items in order from smallest level of organization to most encompassing: skin cell, elephant, water molecule, planet Earth, tropical rainforest, hydrogen atom, wolf pack, liver.

The levels of organization from smallest to largest are: hydrogen atom, water molecule, skin cell, liver, elephant, wolf pack, tropical rainforest, planet Earth.

Using examples, explain how biology can be studied from a microscopic approach to a global approach.

Biology can be studied at the microscopic level by analyzing cellular structures and functions, such as through microscopy and cell culture. Conversely, a global approach involves studying ecosystems and their interactions, such as examining the impacts of climate change on biodiversity across the planet.

The first forms of life on Earth were ________.

simple single-celled organisms like bacteria. These prokaryotes were the earliest life forms and played a crucial role in shaping Earth's atmosphere and environment.

A suggested and testable explanation for an

event is called a ________.

hypothesis.

The process of ________ helps to ensure that a

scientist’s research is original, significant,

logical, and thorough.

peer review

The smallest unit of biological structure that

meets the functional requirements of “living” is

the ________.

Cell

Viruses are not considered living because they ________.

Are not made of cellsand cannot reproduce on their own.

The presence of a membrane-enclosed nucleus

is a characteristic of ________.

eukaryotic cells

A group of individuals of the same species living

in the same area is called a(n) ________.

population

Which of the following sequences represents the

hierarchy of biological organization from the

most inclusive to the least complex level?

biosphere, ecosystem, community,

population, organism

Where in a phylogenetic tree would you expect

to find the organism that had evolved most

recently?

At the tips of the branches.