Biology and the Scientific Process

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to biology, systematics, taxonomy, and the scientific process as outlined in the lecture notes.

What is the goal of systematics?

To look for similarities between organisms and put the most similar things together in the same group.

What kind of characteristics reflect common ancestry?

Characteristics that show shared traits among species due to a common ancestor.

What is the major assumption of systematics?

That organisms are related through common ancestry.

What kind of information can we get from phylogenetic trees?

The relationships between different species.

What do the nodes on phylogenetic trees represent?

The relative time or origin of different groups and their most recent common ancestor.

How are organisms grouped in taxonomy?

Based on shared characteristics, grouping similar organisms together.

List the main levels of taxonomic organization.

Domains, Kingdoms, Phylums, Classes, Orders, Families, Genera, Species.

What are the two components of a species' scientific name?

Genus and species.

If two species are in the same family, they are also in the same __.

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, and Order.

At what level of taxonomic classification do humans and chimps get separated?

Kingdom.

Explain why taxonomic classification may change over time.

New information and discoveries can alter our understanding of evolutionary relationships.

Define 'molecule'.

A chemical structure consisting of at least two atoms held together by a chemical bond.

Define 'cell'.

The basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

Define 'tissue'.

A group of similar cells that perform a specific function.

Define 'organ'.

A structure composed of different tissues working together to perform a specific function.

Define 'organ system'.

A group of organs that work together to perform complex functions.

Define 'individual'.

A single organism of a specific species.

Define 'population'.

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area.

Define 'community'.

A collection of interacting populations in a given area.

Define 'ecosystem'.

A biological community and its abiotic environment.

Define 'systematics'.

The scientific study of how organisms are related and classified.

Define 'phylogeny'.

The evolutionary history and relationships among a group of organisms.

Define 'homologous'.

Structures or traits that are similar due to shared ancestry.

Define 'analogous'.

Structures that are similar due to convergent evolution, not shared ancestry.

Define 'taxonomy'.

The science of classifying and naming organisms.

Define 'domain'.

The highest taxonomic rank in the classification of life.

Define 'kingdom'.

A primary category in biological classification, ranking below domain.

Define 'prokaryote'.

Single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus.

Define 'eukaryote'.

Organisms with cells that contain a nucleus.

Define 'unicellular'.

Organisms that consist of a single cell.

Define 'multicellular'.

Organisms made up of more than one cell.

Define 'autotroph'.

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Define 'heterotroph'.

Organisms that obtain their food by consuming other organisms.

Define 'emergent property'.

A characteristic that arises from the interaction of different components in a system.

What is the function of a null hypothesis?

It states that there is no effect or relationship between variables.

Explain the possible results of testing a hypothesis.

You can confirm or reject the hypothesis based on your results.

How are predictions formulated from hypotheses?

Using deductive reasoning to create 'If' 'then' statements.

Describe the different ways hypotheses can be tested.

Through controlled experiments, computer simulations, and observational studies.

What is assumed to cause changes in the dependent variable in an experiment?

Changes in the independent variable.

Why do we use controls in experiments?

To ensure that the independent variable is the only factor being tested.