Evolution
Descent with modification; the idea that living species are descendants of ancestral species that were different from the present-day ones; also defined more narrowly as the change in the genetic comp
Biology
The scientific study of life.
Some Properties of Life
Order to structure. Regulation of body temperature by adjusting heat exchange with the surrounding air. Evolutionary adaptions that evolve over many generations which allow the reproductive success of
Emergent Properties
New properties that arise with each step upward in the hierarchy of life, owing to the arrangement and interactions of parts as complexity increases. Example: the importance of arrangement in the dist
Reductionism
The minimalization of complex systems to simpler components that are more manageable to study. Example: by studying the molecular structure of DNA that had by extracted from cells, James Watson and Fr
Levels of Biological Organization
1. The Biosphere - Earth, 2. Ecosystems - Ontario, 3. Communities - In forest ecosystem, trees, plants, animals, mushrooms, fungi, and microorganisms, 4. Population - sugar maple trees and white-taile
Biosphere
The entire portion of Earth inhabited by life; the sum of all the planet's ecosytems. It includes most regions of land, most bodies of water, and the atmosphere to an altitude of serveral kilometers.
Ecosystems
All the organism in a given area as well as the abiotic factors with which they interact; one or more communities and the physical environment around them.
Communities
All the organisms that inhabit a particular area; an assemblage of populations of different species living close enough together for potential interaction.
Population
A localized group of individuals of the same species that can interbreed, producing fertile offspring.
Organism
Individual living things
Organ and Organ System
A specialized center of body function composed of several different types of tissues. A group of these work together in performing vital body functions.
Tissue
An integrated group of cells with a common function, structure, or both.
Cell
Life's fundamental unit of structure and function.
Organelle
Any of serveral membrane-enclosed structures with specialized functions, suspended in the cytosol of eukaryotic cells.
Molecules
A chemical structure consisting of two or more atoms.
System
A combination of components that function together.
Systems Biology
An approach to studying biology that aims to model the dynamic behavior of whole biological systems.
Eukaryotic Cell
A type of cell with a membrane-enclosed nucleus and membrane-enclosed organelles. Organisms with these type of cells include protists, plants, fungi, and animals.
Prokaryotic Cell
A type of cell lacking a membrane-enclosed nucleus and membrane-enclosed organelles. DNA is not sperated from the rest of the cell by enclosure in a necleus. Organisms with these cells include bacteria
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
A nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses.
Gene
A discrete unit of hereditary information consisting of a specific nucleotide sequence in DNA or RNA in some viruses.
Genome
The entire "library" of genetic instructions that an organism inherits.
Bioinformatics
The use of computers, software, and mathmatical models to process and integrate biological information from large data sets.
Negative Feedback
An accumulation of an end product of a process slows that process.
Positive Feedback
An end product speeds up its production.
Taxonomy
The branch of biology that names and classifies species, formalizes this ordering of species into groups of increasing breadth.
Domain Bacteria
Any of the prokaryotic microorganisms that are genetically distinct from archaea and eukarya, and inhabits all kinds of environments.
Domain Archaea
Any of the prokaryotic microorganisms that are genetically distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes, and often inhabiting extreme environmental conditions.
Domain Eukarya
Any of the eukaryotic organisms that are genetically distinct from bacteria and archaea, includes three kingdoms of multicellular eukaryotes: kingdoms Plantae, Fungi, and Animalia.
Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution
First, contemporary species arose from a succession of ancestors. This evolutionary history of species is called "descent with modification." Second, the evolutionary mechanism for descent with modifi
Inquiry
A search for information and explanation, often focused by specific questions.
Two Main Types of Scientific Inquiry
Discover science and Hypothesis-based science
Discovery Science
Describes natural structures and processes as accurately as possible through careful observation and analysis of data.
Data
recorded observations
Inductive Reasoning
A type of logic in which generalizations are based on a large number of specific observations.
Hypothesis
A tentative answer to a well-framed question - an explaination on trial. Leads to predictions that can be tested by making additional observations or by performing experiments.
Deductive Reasoning
A type of logic in which specific results are predicted from a general premise.
Scientific Method
A systematic approach to solving a problem by discovering knowledge, investigating a phenomenon, verifying and integrating previous knowledge. It follows a series of steps that evaluates the veracity
The fundamental steps of the scientific method are:
(1) Identifying the problem to solve, (2) Formulating a tentative answer or hypothesis, (3) Testing the hypothesis, (4) Gathering and analyzing data, (5) Making conclusions
Controlled Experiment
An experiment in which an experimental group is compared with a control group that varies only in the factor being tested.
Theory
An explanation that is broad in scope, generates new hypotheses, and is supported by a large body of evidence.
Model
A repesentation of a theory or process.
Technology
The application of scientific knowledge for a specific purpose, often involving industry or commerce but also including uses in basic research.
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