Chapter 1: The Nature of Life

Question 1

Science

Answer 1

An organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world

Question 2

Observation

Answer 2

The act of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way

Question 3

Inference

Answer 3

A logical interpretation based on what scientists already know

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

A scientific explanation for a set of observations that can be tested in ways that support or reject it

Question 5

Controlled Experiment

Answer 5

An experiment in which only one variable is changed

Question 6

Independent Variable

Answer 6

The variable that is deliberately changed in a controlled experiment

Question 7

Dependent Variable

Answer 7

The variable that is observed and that changes in response to the independent variable

Question 8

Control Group

Answer 8

A group exposed to the same conditions as an experimental group except for one independent variable

Question 9

Data

Answer 9

Detailed records of experimental observations (gathered information)

Question 10

Biology

Answer 10

The study of life

Question 11

DNA

Answer 11

Molecules where all organisms store the complex information they need to live, grow, and reproduce as genetic code.

Question 12

Stimulus

Answer 12

A signal to which an organism responds

Question 13

Sexual Reproduction

Answer 13

The process in which two parent cells unite to form the first cell of a new organism

Question 14

Asexual Reproduction

Answer 14

The process in which a single organism produces offspring identical to itself

Question 15

Homeostasis

Answer 15

The condition which states that all organisms need to keep their internal environment relatively stable, even when external conditions change dramatically

Question 16

Metabolism

Answer 16

The combination of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials

Question 17

Biosphere

Answer 17

Part of Earth in which life exists including land, water, and air or atmosphere