BIOLOGY 2E CHAPTER 1 KEY TERMS

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.

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.

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: Logical thinking that uses a general inclusive statement to forecast specific results.

Descriptive Science: Form of science that aims to observe, explore, and investigate.

Discussion: Section of a scientific paper in which the author interprets experimental results and attempts to explain the phenomenon in question.

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: 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: Logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion.

Introduction: Opening section of a scientific paper, providing background information about prior research.

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 describes the substances, methods, and techniques used to gather data.

Microbiology: Study of the structure and function of microorganisms.

Molecular Biology: Study of biological processes at the molecular level.

Molecule: Chemical structure consisting of at least two atoms held together by one or more chemical bonds.

Natural Science: Field of science related to the physical world and its phenomena.

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 consisting of functionally related interacting organs.

Organelle: Small structures within cells that carry out cellular functions.

Organism: Individual living entity.

Paleontology: Study of life’s history by means of fossils.

Peer-reviewed Manuscript: Scientific paper reviewed by experts in the field.

Phylogenetic Tree: Diagram showing evolutionary relationships among various biological species.

Physical Science: Field of science that studies nonliving matter.

Plagiarism: Using other people’s work or ideas without proper citation.

Population: All individuals of a species living within a specific area.

Prokaryote: Single-celled organism that lacks organelles and does not have nuclei.

Results: Section of a scientific paper that narrates the experimental findings.

Review Article: Paper that summarizes and comments on findings from primary literature.

Science: Knowledge covering general truths or laws, acquired and tested by the scientific method.

Scientific Method: Research method with defined steps including observation, hypothesis formulation, 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.

Zoology: Study of animals.