Bio Chapter 1 Flashcards
(39 cards)
What is an atom?
A basic unit of matter that cannot be broken down by normal chemical reactions.
Atoms are the building blocks of all matter.
Define basic science.
Science that seeks to expand knowledge regardless of the short-term application of that knowledge.
Basic science is often contrasted with applied science.
What does biology study?
The study of life.
Biology encompasses various sub-disciplines, including genetics, ecology, and microbiology.
What is the biosphere?
A collection of all ecosystems on Earth.
The biosphere includes all living organisms and their interactions with the environment.
What is a cell?
The smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living things.
Cells can be prokaryotic or eukaryotic.
Define community in ecological terms.
A set of populations inhabiting a particular area.
Communities include different species that interact with each other.
What is a control in an experiment?
A part of an experiment that does not change during the experiment.
Controls are essential for validating experimental results.
What is deductive reasoning?
A form of logical thinking that uses a general statement to predict specific results.
It contrasts with inductive reasoning, which develops generalizations based on specific observations.
What is descriptive science?
A branch of science that focuses on observing and describing phenomena.
Descriptive science often lays the groundwork for further experimental research.
Fill in the blank: A _______ is the smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living things.
cell
True or False: The biosphere includes only terrestrial ecosystems.
False
The biosphere includes both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
What is an ecosystem?
All living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, nonliving parts of that environment.
What is a eukaryote?
An organism with cells that have nuclei and membrane-bound organelles.
What is evolution?
The process of gradual change in a population that can also lead to new species arising from it.
What does falsifiable mean?
Able to be disproven by experimental results.
What is homeostasis?
The ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions.
What is a hypothesis?
A suggested explanation for an event, which can be tested.
What is hypothesis-based science?
A form of science that begins with a specific explanation that is then tested.
What is inductive reasoning?
A form of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion.
What is life science?
The study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment.
What is a macromolecule?
A large molecule typically formed by the joining of smaller molecules.
What is a molecule?
A chemical structure consisting of at least two atoms held together by a chemical bond.
What is natural science?
A field of science that studies the physical world, its phenomena, and processes.
What is an organ?
A structure formed of tissues operating together to perform a common function.
