Key Vocabulary and Concepts in Biology

Biology

the study of life

Science

an organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world

Observation

the act of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way

Inference

a logical interpretation based on what scientists already know

Independent Variable

a variable that is deliberately changed

Dependent Variable

a variable that is observed and that changes in response to the independent variable

Data

detailed records or experimental observations, gathering information

Hypothesis

a scientific explanation for a set of observations that can be tested in ways that support or reject it

Controlled Experiment

an experiment in which only one variable is changed, all other variables remain the same to keep it controlled

Control Group

exposed to the same conditions as an experiment group except for one independent variable

Experimental Group

the group in an experiment that receives the variable being tested

Variables

factors that are manipulated or changed throughout the experiment in order to test a hypothesis

Homeostasis

maintain an internal balance with external conditions

Metabolism

the combination of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials

Stimulus

a signal to which an organism responds

Response

the result of an external or internal stimulus

Growth

the increase in mass and size of a body or organs

Organization

the hierarchy of complex biological systems and structures

Cells

the smallest unit that can live on its own and that makes up all living organisms

Genetics

the study of how genes and traits are passed down from one generation to another

DNA

complex information they need to live, grow, and reproduce in a genetic code written in a molecule

Adaptation

the process by which a species becomes fitted to its environment

Cell

the smallest, basic unit of life that is responsible for all life's processes

Cell Theory

a list of 3 main components to cells

Cell membrane

found in all cells and separates the interior of the cell from the outside environment

Nucleus

the membrane-enclosed structure in a cell that contains the chromosomes

Eukaryotic

organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles

Prokaryote

any organism that lacks a distinct nucleus and other organelles due to the absence of internal membranes

Cytoplasm

the liquid that fills the inside of the cell, composed of water, salts, etc.

Organelle

specialized structures that perform various jobs inside the cells

Vacuole

organelles that can store water

Lysosome

an organelle that breaks down excess or worn-out cell parts

Cytoskeleton

a structure that helps cells maintain their shape and internal organization

Centriole

an organelle that is involved in organizing microtubules in the cytoplasm

Ribosomes

organelles that help create proteins

The ER

an organelle that helps to produce proteins; can be rough or smooth

Golgi apparatus

repackages, modifies, and sorts the proteins

Chloroplast

an organelle in which photosynthesis occurs

Mitochondria

the powerhouse of the cell; creates most of the cell's energy

Cell wall

the wall that surrounds the plasma membrane and supports the cell

Lipid bilayer

a thin polar membrane made of two layers of lipid molecules

Selectively permeable

membranes can choose to allow or block materials to enter or exit the cell

Diffusion

the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration

Equilibrium

when the molecules reach an equal amount throughout the solution; the molecules continue to move

Facilitated Diffusion (Channel Proteins & Carrier Proteins)

the movement of materials across the plasma membrane using proteins

Osmosis

the diffusion of water

Active Transport

the movement of particles across the cell membrane using energy

Energy

the ability to do work

Work

the ability to perform certain tasks

Photosynthesis

the process in which light energy converts to chemical energy

Cellular Respiration

the process that releases energy from food in the presence of oxygen

ATP

the energy currency of your cell (ADP + phosphate)

ADP

a molecule needed to create/ make ATP, a small amount of energy

Thylakoid

saclike photosynthetic membranes that contain chlorophyll

Pigment

light-absorbing molecules

Anaerobic respiration

occurs without oxygen and releases less energy but more quickly than aerobic respiration

Aerobic respiration

a chemical process in which oxygen is used to make energy from sugars

Glycolysis

the first set of reactions in cellular respiration

Fermentation

in the absence of oxygen, releases energy from food molecules by producing ATP

Ribose

a sugar that is in the ATP molecule

Autotroph

produces their own food to get their energy

Heterotroph

eats other animals to get their source of energy

Glucose

a sugar, main source of energy

Chlorophyll

the principal pigment in photosynthetic organisms

Thylakoid membranes

an internal system of interconnected membranes that carry out the light reactions of photosynthesis

NADPH

created when NADp+ is reduced by the addition of a hydrogen molecule

NADH

an electron carrier, that plays a critical role in the process of cellular respiration

FADH2

high energy electron carrier, transports electrons generated in Glycolysis and Krebs Cycle to Electron Transport Chain

Stroma

the fluid portion of the chloroplast

Living vs. Non living thing

A living thing contains the 8 characteristics of life and Nonliving things do not contain all 8 characteristics

What do you study in Biology

Origins and history of life and once-living things, the structures of living things, how living things interact with one another, how living things function

Diversity of Life

The variety of living organisms studied in biology.

Paleontologist

Studies history of dinosaur life through fossils.

Zoologist

Studies animals.

Botanist

Studies plants.

Ecologist

Studies how plants and animals interact with their environment.

Cytologist

Medical and scientific study of cells.

Histologist

Studies tissues.

Geneticist

Studies genetics.

Characteristics of Life

Growth and development, response to stimulus, reproduction, homeostasis, metabolism, cellular, genetics, evolution.

Science

A body of knowledge based on the study of nature and an organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world.

Scientific Inquiry

The different methods scientists use to explore and understand the natural world.

Steps of the Scientific Method

Making an observation, ask a question, make a hypothesis and a prediction, experiment, analyze data, conclusion.

Goals of Science

Provide explanations for events in the natural world, understand patterns in nature, and make useful predictions about natural events.

Uncertainty in Science

Science is uncertain because it is constantly changing and in need of constant experiments and testing.

Research Tools

Meter sticks, charts, graphs, and other tools that help scientists organize their data.

Cell Theory

Cells are the basic units of life, all living organisms contain cells, and all cells come from pre-existing cells.

Robert Hooke

Discovered the first 'cell'.

Anton Van Leeuwenhoek

Known for studying pond water.

Matthias Schleiden

Proposed that plants contain living things.

Theodore Schwann

Proposed that animals contain cells.

Rudolf Virchow

Proposed that all living cells come from pre-existing cells.

Types of Microscopes

Light Microscope, Electron Microscope (Scanning and Transmission).

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that contain membrane-bound organelles such as the nucleus and mitochondria.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that do not contain membrane-bound organelles.

Plasma Membrane

Selectively permeable membrane that controls what is able to go in and out of the cell.

Phospholipid Bilayer

The double layer of phospholipids that is semi-permeable.

Fluid Mosaic Model

Describes the plasma membrane as fluid due to moving molecules and mosaic due to various macromolecules.

Photosynthesis

Occurs inside the organelle of chloroplasts in plants.

Stages of Photosynthesis

Light-dependent and light-independent reactions.