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Ch 1: Vocabulary
Ch One Vocab
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Theory | An explanation for a broad class of phenomena that is supported by a wide body of evidence. It serves as a framework for the development of a new hypothesis. |
Hypothesis | A testable statement that explains a phenomenon or a set of observations. |
Prediction | A measurable or observable result of an experiment based on a particular hypothesis. A correct one provides support for the hypothesis being tested. |
Cell Theory | Theory that states all organisms are made of cells and that all cells come from preexisting cells. |
Microscope | An optical instrument used for viewing very small objects. |
Cell | The basic structural and functional unit of all organisms. It is a highly organized compartment bounded by a thin, flexible structure and contains concentrated chemicals in an aqueous solution. |
Spontaneous Generation | Cells arise spontaneously from nonliving materials. |
Evolution | A change in the characteristics of a population over time. |
Descent with Modification | Phrase used by Darwin to describe his hypothesis of evolution by natural selection. |
Natural Selection | Process by which individuals with certain heritable traits tend to produce more surviving offspring than do individuals without them. This often leads to a change in the genetic makeup in the population. |
Heritable Trait | Traits that can be passed on to an offspring. |
Population | A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at the same time. |
Fitness | The ability of an individual to produce viable offspring. |
Adaption | Trait that increases the fitness of an individual in a particular environment. |
Artificial Selection | Changes in populations that occur when humans select certain individuals to produce the most offspring. |
Speciation | The evolution of two or more distinct species from a single ancestral species. |
Homeostasis | The array of relatively stable chemical and physical conditions in an animal's cells, tissues, and organs. |
Metabolism | The chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life. |
Tree of Life | The phylogenetic family tree of organisms. |
Taxonomy | The branch of biology that is concerned with classification and naming of organisms. |
Taxon (s) Taxa(pl) | Any named group at any level of a classification system. |
Binomial Nomenclature | A formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts |
Scientific Name | Unique two part name given to each species, with a genus name followed by a species name. |
Domain | A taxonomic category based on similarities in basic cellular biochemistry, above the kingdom level. Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya |
Kingdom | The second highest taxonomic rank, just below domain. |
Phylum | A taxonomic category above the class level and below the kingdom level. |
Genus (s) Genera(pl) | A taxonomic category of closely related species. It is always capitalized and italicized. |
Species | An evolutionary independent population or group of populations. |
Prokaryote | A member of the domain Bacteria or Archaea. A unicellular organism lacking a nucleus and containing relatively few organelles or cytoskeletal components. |
Eukaryote | A member of the domain Eukarya; an organism whose cells contain a nucleus, numerous membrane bound organelles, and an extensive cytoskeleton. |
Phylogeny | The evolutionary history of a group of organisms. |
Phylogenetic Tree | A branching diagram that depicts the evolutionary relationships among species or other taxa. |
Hypothesis Testing | Testing a statement that explains a phenomenon. |
Null Hypothesis | A hypothesis that specifies what the results of an experiment will be if the main hypothesis being tested is wrong. |
Observational Study | A study that draws inferences about the possible effect of a treatment on subjects, where the assignment of subjects into a treated group versus a control group is outside the control of the investigator. |
Experimental Study | A type of evaluation that seeks to determine whether a program or intervention had the intended causal effect on program participants. |
Control Group | A baseline group that receives no treatment or a neutral treatment. |