Biology Ch 1

physical science: field of science, such as geology, astronomy, physics, and chemistry, that studies nonliving matter

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

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

serendipity: fortunate accident or a lucky surprise

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

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

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

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

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

inductive reasoning: form of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion

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

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

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

biology: the study of life

biosphere: collection of all the ecosystems on Earth

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

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

deductive reasoning: form of logical thinking that uses a general inclusive statement to predict specific results

descriptive science: (also, discovery science) form of science that aims to observe, explore, and investigate