Biology
The study of living organisms and their interactions with one another and their environment.
Science
The process of acquiring knowledge about general truths or the operation of general laws.
Hypothesis
A suggested explanation for an event, which can be tested.
Theory
a tested and confirmed explanation that fits all of the observations or phenomena in a given field of study.
Scientific method
Posing questions about a subject and seeking verifiable responses.
Make an observation, ask a question, form a hypothesis that answers the question, make a prediction based on the hypothesis, do an experiment to test the results, analyze the results. If hypothesis is correct, report results. If hypothesis is incorrect, form another hypothesis and try again.
Falsifiable
able to be disproven by experimental results.
Variable
any part of an experiment that can vary or change during the experiment.
Control variables
a variable that remains constant in all parts of an experiment
Experimental variable
A variable that is changed during the course of an experiment
Dependent variable
A variable that may or may not be influenced by an independent variable, depending on the outcome of an experiment.
Independent variable
A variable that may or may not influence a dependent variable, depending on the outcome of an experiment.
Peer-reviewed manuscripts
Scientific papers that are reviewed by a scientist's colleagues, or peers.
Properties of life
order, sensitivity or response to environment, reproduction, growth and development, regulation, homeostasis, energy processing, adaptation, and evolution.
Order
Organisms are highly organized, coordinated structures that consist of one or more cells.
Sensitivity or response to environment
Organisms respond to diverse stimuli. Movement towards a stimulus is considered a positive response. Movement away from a stimulus is considered a negative response.
Reproduction
The process by which an organism or species produces new individuals, to ensure a continuation of its DNA.
Growth and development
The process/processes by which an organism experiences cellular growth and thrives according to specific instructions coded in it's genes.
Regulation
The process by which mechanism in an organism coordinate internal functions, respond to stimuli, and cope with environmental stress.
Homeostasis
"Steady state," the ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions, including temperature, ph, and concentration of diverse chemicals.
Energy processing
The process by which organisms utilize energy to fuel metabolic activities. Energy can be sourced from food or sunlight, depending on the nature of the organism.
Adaptation
The ability of an organism to change in response to it's environment.
Evolution
The process by which a species changes over time in order to adapt to its environment, ultimately leading to new species. Manifested by random genetic mutations that may or may not give an organism an advantage within it's environment. If the mutation is advantages, the organism is more likely to survive, and pass the mutation on to its offspring.
The biological levels of organization of living things.
Atoms, molecules, macromolecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, the biosphere.
Atom
The smallest and most fundamental unit of matter. Consisting of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.
Molecule
A chemical structure consisting of at least two atoms held together by one or more chemical bonds.
Macromolecules
Large molecules that are typically formed from repeating units. DNA is an example.
Organelles
Small structures that exist within cells, surrounded by membranes.
Cells
The smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living organisms. Some organisms consist of a single cell, others are multicellular.
Tissues
Groups of similar cells carrying out similar or related functions.
Organs
Collections of tissues grouped together performing a common function.
Organ system
A group of organs that are functionally related.
Organism
An individual living entity.
Population
All the individuals of a species living within a specific area.
Community
The sum of populations inhabiting a particular area. Can include various species.
Ecosystem
All the living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, non-living parts of that environment such as nitrogen in the soil and rain water.
The Biosphere
The collection of all ecosystems on earth, including the land, water, and atmosphere.
Prokaryotes
Single celled or colonial organisms that do not have membrane bound nuclei.
Eukaryotes
Any organism containing cells that have membrane bound organelles and a distinct, membrane bound nucleus.
Cell Theory
All living things are made of cells. Cells are the basic unit of life. Cells come from pre-existing cells. All cells have the same basic structure of a gel-like cytoplasm enclosed by a double layer of lipid molecules called the plasma membrane. All cells contain DNA as the genetic material.
The Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance.
Chromosomes carry the genetic material.
The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection
Since not all members of a species can survive, the ones that are most fit will survive and reproduce at a higher rate and will therefore be more likely to pass on their traits. Therefore, over time, the characteristics that are present in a population will change. As populations change, new species come into existence. Requires variation and selective pressure.
Variation
Variations arise through changes in DNA, which lead to changes in the traits of individuals.
Selective Pressure
An environmental factor that facilitates natural selection. Examples include shortage of food, a predator, or a mating preference.
Fitness
An organism ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment.
Artificial selection
Evolution driven by human selections of traits within domestic animals.
Phylogenetic tree of life
Includes bacteria, archaea, and eukarya