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.