science
organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world
inference
logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience
hypothesis
possible explanation for observations or for a question that can be tested
control group
part of an experiment that is not changed so that it can be compared to the experimental group
controlled experiment
an experiment that tests the effect of one variable
independent variable
factor in an experiment that is changed
dependent variable
factor in an experiment that is observed or measured as it responds to the independent variable
data
detailed records of experimental observations
theory
well-tested explanation that explains observations and hypotheses
bias
personal point of view that is not scientific
biology
study of life
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid; genetic material that organisms inherit from their parents
stimulus
signal to which an organism responds
sexual reproduction
cells from two parents combine to form the first cell of a new organism
asexual reproduction
single organism produces offspring identical to itself
homeostasis
maintenance of a stable internal environment
metabolism
chemical reactions in which a living thing breaks down or builds up materials
biosphere
part of Earth that can sustain life
experimental group
In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.
observation
The act of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way.