Chapter 1 - Table 1-Table 1

Question 1

Observation

Answer 1

The gathering of scientific information by watching a phenomenon.

Question 2

Deduction

Answer 2

A conclusion that follows logically from a set of observations.

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

A preliminary explanation of a phenomenon. Hypothesis formation is the first step of the scientific method.

Question 4

Experimentation

Answer 4

The testing of a hypothesis.

Question 5

Data

Answer 5

The scientific evidence produced by an experiment or by observation, from which scientific conclusions are made.

Question 6

Scientific Method

Answer 6

Standard scientific research procedure in which a hypothesis is stated, date are collected to test it, and the hypothesis is either supported or refuted.

Question 7

Falsifiable

Answer 7

Able to be shown to be false.

Question 8

Paradigm

Answer 8

A conceptual framework useful for understanding a body of evidence.

Question 9

Immutability (or fixity)

Answer 9

Stasis, lack of change.

Question 10

Polygenism

Answer 10

Ancient belief that people are derived from multiple creations.

Question 11

Monogenism

Answer 11

Ancient belief that all people are derived from a single creation.

Question 12

Taxonomy

Answer 12

The scientific of biological classification.

Question 13

Binomial Nomenclature

Answer 13

Linnean naming system for all organisms, consisting of a genus and species label.

Question 14

Taxon

Answer 14

A group of organisms assigned to a particular category.

Question 15

Catastrophism

Answer 15

Theory that there have been multiple creations interspersed by great natural disasters such as Noah’s flood.

Question 16

Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics

Answer 16

Discredited theory of evolutionary change proposing that changes that occur during that lifetime of an individual, through use or disuse, can be passed on to the next generation.

Question 17

Lysenkoism

Answer 17

Soviet-era research program that tried to apply Lamarckian thinking to agricultural production.

Question 18

Uniformitarianism

Answer 18

Theory that the same gradual geological process we observe today was operating in the past.

Question 19

Biogeography

Answer 19

The distribution of animals and plants on the Earth.

Question 20

Adaptive Radiation

Answer 20

The diversification of one founding species into multiple species and niches.

Question 21

Natural Selection

Answer 21

Differential reproductive success over multiple generations.

Question 22

Vestigial Organs

Answer 22

Body parts that seem to serve no modern purpose and have, therefore, atrophied.

Question 23

Fitness

Answer 23

Reproductive success.

Question 24

Population

Answer 24

An interbreeding group of organisms.

Question 25

Mutation

Answer 25

An alteration in the DNA, which may or may not alter the function of a cell. If it occurs in a gamete, it may be passed from one generation to the next.

Question 26

Creation Science

Answer 26

A creationist attempt to refute the evidence of evolution.

Question 27

Intelligent Design

Answer 27

A creationist school of thought that proposes that natural selection cannot account for the diversity and complexity of form and function seen in nature.