- asexual reproduction: process by which a single parent reproduces by itself
- biology: science that seeks to understand the living world
- cell: collection of living matter enclosed by a barrier that separates the cell from its surroundings, basic unit of life
- cell culture: group of cells grown in a nutrient solution from a single original cell
- cell fractionation: technique in which cells are broken into pieces and the different cell parts are separated
- compound light microscope: microscope that allows light to pass thru a specimen and uses two lenses to form an image
- controlled experiment: test of effect of single variable, changing it while keeping all others the same
- data: evidence, information gathered from observation
- electron microscope: microscope that forms an image by focusing beams of electrons onto a speciman
- evolution: change in a kind of organism over time
- homeostasis: process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment
- hypothesis: possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a specific question
- inference: logical interpretation based on prior knowledge
- manipulated variable: factor in an experiment purposely changed; independent variable
- metabolism: set of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials as it carries out its life processes
- metric system: decimal system of measurement based on certain physical standards and scaled on mutiples of ten
- microscope: device that produces magnified images of structures too small to see with the unaided eye
- observation: use of one or more of the senses to gather information
- responding variable: factor which may change in response to manipulated variable; dependent variable
- science: organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world
- sexual reproduction: process by which cells from two different parents unite to produce the first cell of a new organism
- spontaneous generation: hypothesis (disproved) that life could arise from non-living matter
- stimulus: signal to which an organism responds
- theory: well-tested explanation; unifies a broad range of observations