Biology - Chapter 1

Biosphere

Consists of all living things in the world

Ecosystem

Consists of all living things in a particular area, including non-living

Communities

An array of organisms living in a particular ecosystem

Species

Group where members can only reproduce with other members of the group

Populations

All individuals of a species living in within the bounds of a certain area

Organisms

Individual living things

Organ

Body part that is made up of multiple tissues and has specific functions in the body

Tissue

Group of cells that work together to perform a specialized function

Cell

Unit of structure and function

Organelle

Various functional components in cells

Molecules

Chemical structure consisting of two or more atoms

Eukaryotic Cell

Contain membrane-enclosed organelle. They are found in almost all life forms

Prokaryotic Cell

Lacks nucleus and other membrane-enclosed organelles. Found in bacteria and archaea

Genes

Section of DNA of a chromosome. They are units of inheritance and encode all necessary information to build all molecules

Nucleotides

Consists of four chemical building blocks (A, T, C, and G)

Gene Expression

Cells use information encoded in the gene to synthesize a functional protein

Genome

Entire collection of genetic instructions that an organism inherits

Proteome

Entire set of proteins expressed by a given cell, tissue, or organism

Evolution

Process of biological change where species gain differences from their ancestors as they adapt to different environments

Domain Bacteria

Consist of single-cell prokaryotic organisms. Most diverse and widespread kind

Domain Archaea

Single-celled prokaryotic that live in Earth’s most extreme environments.

Domain Eukarya

Consists of all eukaryotes, including: plantae, fungi, animalia, and protists

Natural Selection

The gaining of advantageous traits

Data

Recorded observations

Qualitative Data

Descriptions of what is obsevred

Quantitative Data

Numerical or mathematical measurements

Inductive Reasoning

A type of logic through a large number of specific observations

Hypothesis

An explanation based on observations and assumptions that lead to a testable prediction

Experiment

Scientific test carried out under controlled conditions

Deductive Reasoning

Involves logic that flows in the opposite direction, from general to specific

Controlled Experiment

One designed to compare an experimental group with a control group

Variable

Feature or quantity that varies/changes

Independent Variable

Factor that is changed by the tester

Dependent Variable

Factor expected to be changed by the change of independent variable