Biology I Chapter 1 Quiz

abstract – opening section of a scientific paper that summarizes the research and conclusions

applied science – form of science that aims to solve real-world problems

atom – smallest and most fundamental unit of matter that retains the properties of an element

basic science – science that seeks to expand knowledge and understanding regardless of the

short-term application of that knowledge

biochemistry – study of the chemistry of biological organisms

biology – the study of life

biosphere – collection of all the ecosystems on Earth

botany – study of plants

cell – smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living things

cell theory – all living organisms are composed of cells. Cells only arise from previous cells and are not generated spontaneously.

community – set of populations inhabiting a particular area

conclusion – section of a scientific paper that summarizes the importance of the experimental

findings

control – part of an experiment that does not change during the experiment

descriptive science – (also, discovery science) form of science that aims to observe, explore,

and investigate

discussion – section of a scientific paper in which the author interprets experimental results,

describes how variables may be related, and attempts to explain the phenomenon in question

handbook

ecosystem – all the living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, nonliving parts of

that environment

eukaryote – organism with cells that have nuclei and membrane-bound organelles

evolution – the process of gradual change in a population or species over time

falsifiable – able to be disproven by experimental results

homeostasis – ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions

hypothesis – suggested explanation for an observation, which one can test

hypothesis-based science – form of science that begins with a specific question and potential

testable answers

introduction – opening section of a scientific paper, which provides background information

about what was known in the field prior to the research reported in the paper

life science – field of science, such as biology, that studies living things

macromolecule – large molecule, typically formed by the joining of smaller molecules

materials and methods – section of a scientific paper that includes a complete description of

the substances, methods, and techniques that the researchers used to gather data

microbiology – study of the structure and function of microorganisms

molecular biology – study of biological processes and their regulation at the molecular level,

including interactions among molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins

molecule – chemical structure consisting of at least two atoms held together by one or more

chemical bonds

natural science – field of science that is related to the physical world and its phenomena and

processes

neurobiology – study of the biology of the nervous system

organ – collection of related tissues grouped together performing a common function

organ system – level of organization that consists of functionally related interacting organs

organelle – small structures that exist within cells and carry out cellular functions

organism – individual living entity

paleontology – study of life’s history by means of fossils

peer-reviewed manuscript – scientific paper that a scientist’s colleagues review who are

experts in the field of study

phylogenetic tree – diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological

species based on similarities and differences in genetic or physical traits or both; in essence, a

hypothesis concerning evolutionary connections

physical science – field of science, such as geology, astronomy, physics, and chemistry, that

studies nonliving matter

plagiarism – using other people’s work or ideas without proper citation, creating the false

impression that those are the author’s original ideas

population – all of the individuals of a species living within a specific area

prokaryote – single-celled organism that lacks organelles and does not have nuclei surrounded

by a nuclear membrane

results – section of a scientific paper in which the author narrates the experimental findings

and presents relevant figures, pictures, diagrams, graphs, and tables, without any further

interpretation

review article – paper that summarizes and comments on findings that were published as

primary literature

science – knowledge that covers general truths or the operation of general laws, especially

when acquired and tested by the scientific method

scientific method – method of research with defined steps that include observation,

formulation of a hypothesis, testing, and confirming or falsifying the hypothesis

theory – tested and confirmed explanation for observations or phenomena

tissue – group of similar cells carrying out related functions

variable – part of an experiment that the experimenter can vary or change

zoology – study of animals