Introduction to Biology and Classification

These flashcards cover the introductory concepts of Biology, science process skills, the origins of life, and the taxonomic classification system as outlined in the lecture notes.

Biology

A branch of science involving the comprehensive study of living things (organisms), including their origin, distribution, behavior, anatomy, physiology, morphology, structure, and size.

P01

The Multiple Choice component of the CSEC syllabus consisting of $60$ questions and accounting for $30\%$ of the final grade.

P02

The structured question component of the CSEC syllabus consisting of $6$ questions ($3$ structured and $3$ essay type) accounting for $50\%$ of the final grade.

P03

The School-Based Assessment (SBA) component consisting of a minimum of $18$ lab reports, accounting for $20\%$ of the final grade.

Observing

The process of gathering information about an object or phenomenon using all or some of the senses, possibly assisted by instruments.

Classifying

The skill of observing and identifying similarities and differences between objects or phenomena and grouping them based on similar characteristics.

Measuring & using numbers

Observing quantitatively using instruments with standardized units, where the ability to use numbers is central.

Inferring

Giving an explanation to an observation of an event or object based on past experiences and previously collected data.

Predicting

The process of conjecturing a coming event based on observation and previous experience or the availability of valid data.

Communicating

Presenting ideas or information in varied modes such as orally, in written form, or using graphs, diagrams, models, tables, and symbols.

Using space-time relationship

Describing changes in parameters with time, such as location, direction, shape, size, volume, temperature, and mass.

Interpreting data

The process of giving rational explanations for objects, events, or patterns from gathered information.

Defining operationally

Making a definition of a concept or variable by stating what it is and how it can be carried out and measured.

Controlling of variables

Identifying fixed (constant) variables, manipulated variables, and responding variables in an investigation.

Hypothesising

The ability to make a testable general statement that explains a matter or event.

Experimenting

An investigation that tests a hypothesis, involving a combination of various science process skills.

Theory of evolution

The proposal that life evolved from simple single-cell structures to complex organisms like man through countless small steps over hundreds of millions of years, subject to chance events.

Natural selection

The mechanism for evolutionary change defined as the process of differential survival and reproduction of individual variants already existing in a group.

Principle of variation

The principle stating that among individuals within any population, there is variation in morphology, physiology, and behavior.

Principle of heredity

The principle stating that offspring resemble their parents more than they resemble unrelated individuals.

Principle of selection

The principle stating that some forms are more successful at surviving and reproducing than others in a given environment.

Taxonomy

The study of the organization and classification of living organisms and how they are named.

Binomial nomenclature

The system of naming species using two Latin or ancient Greek words: the genus name and the species name.

Carolus Linneaus

The scientist ($1707 - 1778$) who developed the basics of taxonomy based on similarities and differences of body structures.

Domain

The highest and largest taxonomic rank in the classification of organisms.

Prokaryotes

Organisms belonging to Domains Eubacteria and Archaea that consist of simple cells with no nucleus.

Eukaryotes

Organisms in Domain Eukaryota whose cells contain a nucleus enclosed with a nuclear membrane or envelope.

Kingdom Monera

The only kingdom composed of prokaryotic organisms; primarily bacteria that have a cell wall and lack membrane-bound organelles.

Protist Kingdom

A kingdom of mostly one-celled organisms with a membrane around the nucleus, including examples like Amoeba, Paramecium, and Kelp.

Kingdom Fungi

A kingdom including organisms such as mushrooms, yeast, mold, mildew, and rusts.

Vertebrates

Animals that possess a backbone, categorized into reptiles, fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals.

Invertebrates

Animals that do not have a backbone, including groups such as arthropods, molluscs, annelid worms, and echinoderms.

Dichotomous key

A scientific tool used to identify and categorize organisms based on a series of choices between two characteristics.