Chapter 1: The Science of Life
Order by
50 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Organism | A living thing |
| Biology | the science of life; study of all living things |
| Six major themes | 1- cell structure and function 2- stability and homeostasis 3- reproduction and inheritance 4- evolution 5- interdependence of organisms 6- matter, energy, and organization |
| Unicellular organisms | organisms composed of only one cell |
| Multicellular organisms | organisms composed of more than one cell |
| Differentiation | a process in which the cells of a multicellular individual become specialized during development |
| Homeostasis | the stable level of internal conditions |
| Reproduction | process in which organisms produce new organisms like themselves |
| DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid, the material that contains the information that determines inherited characteristics |
| Gene | a short segment of DNA that contains the instructions for the development of a single trait of an organism |
| Sexual reproduction | process in which genetic material from two parents combines and produces offspring that differ genetically from either parent |
| Asexual reproduction | a reproductive process that involves only one parent and produces offspring that are identical to the parent |
| Evolve | the change of organisms over generations |
| Evolution | all the changes that have formed life on Earth from it's earliest beginnings to the diversity that characterizes it today |
| Natural selection | the process by which organisms with favorable variations reproduce at higher rates than those without such variations |
| Ecology | the study of the interactions of organisms with one another and with their environment |
| Ecosystems | environmental communities |
| Photosynthesis | process by which plants and some other organisms use light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and high-energy carbohydrates such as sugars and starches |
| Autotrophs | organisms that use energy from sunlight or from chemical bonds in inorganic substances to make organic compounds |
| Heterotrophs | consumers, they rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply |
| Metabolism | the sum of all chemical processes that occur in an organism |
| Cell division | the formation of two cells from one existing cell |
| Development | the process by which an adult organism arises |
| Data | any and all information that scientists gather in trying to answer their questions |
| Observation | typically employs one or more of the five senses to percieve objects or events |
| Sampling | the technique of using a sample (small part) to represent an entire population |
| Hypothesis | a statement that explains their observations and can be tested |
| Prediction | a statement made in advance that states the results that will be obtained from testing a hypothesis |
| Experiment | the testing of a hypothesis or prediction by gathering data under controlled conditions |
| Controlled experiment | based on a comparison of a control group with an experimental group |
| Control group | a group or individual that serves as a standard of comparison with another group or individual to which it is identical except for one factor |
| Independent variable | the experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied |
| Dependent variable | variable that changes as a result of a change in the independent variable |
| Model | essentially an explanation supported by data |
| Inference | a conclusion made on the basis of facts or premises rather than on direct observations |
| Theory | a broad and comprehensive statement of what is thought to be true |
| Microscope | an instrument that produces an enlarged image of an object |
| Magnification | the increase of an object's apparent size |
| Resolution | the power to show details clearly |
| Compound light microscope | microscope that allows light to pass through a specimen and uses two lenses to form an image |
| Stage | where the slide is placed under the clips |
| Objective lens | which is positioned directly above the specimen |
| Ocular lens | lens in the eyepiece where the specimen is magnified even further |
| Nosepiece | the revolving area to change magnifications |
| Power of magnification | This is the degree of enlargement. |
| Electron microscope | a microscope that is similar in purpose to a light microscope but achieves much greater resolving power by using a parallel beam of electrons to illuminate the object instead of a beam of light |
| Transmission electron microscope | An electron microscope used to study the internal structure of thin sections of cells |
| Scanning electron microscope | An electron microscope used to study the fine details of cell surfaces |
| Base units | length, mass, time, electric current, thermodynamic temperature, amount of substance, and luminous intensity |
| Derived units | formed by combinations of SI base units |
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