Term | Definition |
Biology | The study of life |
Organization | High degree of order within an organisms internal and external parts and in its interactions with the living world |
Cell | The smallest unit that can perform all lifes processes |
Unicellular | Organisms made up of one cell |
Multicellular | Organisms made up of multiple cells |
Organ | Structures that carry out specialized jobs within an organ system |
Tissue | Groups of cells that have similar abilities and that allow the organ to function |
Organelle | Tiny structures that carry out functions necessary for the cell to stay alive |
Biological molecule | The chemical compounds that provide physical structure and that bring about movement, energy use, and other cellular functions |
Homeostasis | The maintenance of a stable level of internal conditions even though environmental conditions are constantly changing |
Metabolism | The sum of all the chemical reactions that take in and transform energy and materials from the environment |
Cell division | The formation of two new cells from an existing cell |
Development | The process by which an organism becomes a mature adult |
Reproduction | All organisms produce new organisms like themselves |
Gene | A short segment of DNA that contains the instructions for a single trait of an organism |
Cytology | The study of cells |
Domain | Three major subdivisions of all organisms |
Kingdoms | Divides all life into six major categories |
Ecology | The branch of biology that studies organisms interacting with each other |
Ecosystem | Communities of living species and their physical environments |
Evolution | The inherited characteristics within populations change over generations |
Natural Selection | Organisms that have certain favorable traits are better able to survive and reproduce successfully than organisms that lack these traits |
Adaption | Traits that improve an individual's ability to survive and reproduce |
Scientific Method | Learn how the natural world works |
Observation | The act of perceiving a natural occurrence that causes someone to pose a question |
Hypothesis | Educated guess |
Prediction | Statement that forecasts what would happen in a test situation if the hypothesis were true |
Experiment | Used to test hypothesis and predictions |
Control Group | Provides the normal standard against which the biologist can compare results of the experimental group |
Experimental Group | Identical to control group except for one factor |
Independent Variable | The factor that is changed from the control group and the experimental group |
Dependent Variable | Affected by the independent variable |
Theory | A set of related hypotheses is proven to be true many times |
Peer Review | Scientists anonymously read and review other scientists work |
| |