Observation
process of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way
Inference
A logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience.
Hypothesis
possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question
controlled experiment
experiment in which only one variable is changed
independent variable
factor in a controlled experiment that is deliberately changed; also called manipulated variable
dependent variable
the variable that is observed and that changes in response to the independent variable
control group
group in an experiment that is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group except for one independent variable
data
evidence; information gathered from observations
Theory
well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations
bias
A particular preference or point of view that is personal, rather than scientific.
Biology
the scientific study of life
sexual reproduction
type of reproduction in which cells from two parents unite to form the first cell of a new organism
asexual reproduction
process of reproduction involving a single parent that results in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent
DNA
genetic material that organisms inherit from their parents
Metabolism
the combination of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials
Stimulus
a signal to which an organism responds
Homeostasis
relatively constant internal physical and chemical conditions that organisms maintain
evolve
change over time.