Biology
The study of living things
Scientific Method
The steps that scientists follow to investigate phenomena.
Hypothesis
An educated guess. An assumption of what will happen in an experiment or an observation. Low level of certainty.
Theory
An explanation that is supported by lots of evidence collected over a period of time. More certainty than a hypothesis.
Law
An explanation that is universally accepted as true. Highest level of certainty.
Experiment
Carefully planned procedures to test a hypothesis.
Independent variable
(IV)
In an experiment, the factor or variable that a scientist deliberately changes. (I Vary)
Dependent variable
(DV)
In an experiment, the variable that depends on the independent variable. The variable that you measure. DV depends on IV
Constants
Things that are kept the same in an experiment.
Control group
The group that is the identical to the experimental group except it does not get the independent variable. It serves as a comparison.
Experimental group
The group that the independent variable is applied.
Characteristics of Life
The conditions that need to be met to be considered living.
- Homeostasis
- Metabolism
- Response
- Organization
- Reproduction
- Heredity
- Growth and Development
Homeostasis
Maintaining a state of balance in an organism reached through reactions that occur in the organism.
Metabolism
The total of all chemical reactions that occur within an organism.
Organism
Any living thing that shows the 7 characteristics of life
DNA
The genetic material found in all living things.
Cell
The basic unit of all living things
Organization
One of the characteristics of life: Organization in multicellular organism and in environment
Multicellular organism: Cells --> Tissues --> Organs --> Organ Systems --> Organism
Environment: Individual --> Population --> Community --> Ecosystem --> Biome
Biotic factors
Living things in an ecosystem
Abiotic factors
Nonliving things in an ecosystem
Structure
How something is put together or constructed. Determines function.
Function
The job that something does.