Scientific Method
Observation, hypothesis, predictions, testing, analyzing, conclusion
Prediction
A statement based on a hypothesis about a condition that should exist if the hypothesis is correct.
Model
Analogous system used for testing hypotheses (ex: mice, fruit flies, cells)
Experiment
A test designed to support or falsify a hypothesis
Variable
A characteristic that differs among individuals or over time.
Independent variable
A set factor that does not change in the experiment (ex: age)
Dependent variable
A factor which can BE changed by the independent variable, but CAN'T change the independent variable.
Experimental group
A group of individuals in an experiment who receive a certain treatment.
Control group
A group that is not exposed to the independent variable being tested.
Data
Test results that can be measured or gathered objectively.
Sampling error
A difference in results obtained from the unrepresentiveness of the experiment sample.
Probability
The percent measure of the chance that a particular outcome will occur.
Statistically significant results
Refers to results that have a very low probability of occurring by chance on their own.
Conclusion
A hypothesis that has been tested, not rejected, and is tentatively accepted.
Scientific theory
A hypothesis that has not been disproven after many years of rigorous testing. It is consistent with all data gathered but can still be disproved with new data.
Cell theory
The smallest form of life is the cell.
Gene theory
All life has DNA.
Theory of heredity
Genes are inherited by offspring from parents.
Evolution
The process of life forms transitioning from simple to complex via natural selection and adaptation.
Law of nature
A phenomenon that can be observed to occur in every circumstance without fail.
Biology
The scientific study of life.
Atom
The fundamental building block of all matter.
Organism
An individual that consists of one or more cells. (ex: a deer)
Population
A group of individuals in a certain area. (ex: a herd of deer in a certain forest)
Species
A group of individuals that can interbreed. Made of many populations. (ex: whitetail, fallow, mule deer)
Community
All populations of all species in a certain area. (ex: whitetail deer, fern moss, coyotes, swallowtail butterflies in a certain forest)
Ecosystem
A community of interacting organisms and their environment in a specific area. (ex: animals, moss, rocks, soil, riverbed in a certain forest)
Biosphere
The parts of the earth that are capable of holding life.
Emergent properties
Each higher level contains new properties not present at the simpler level of biological organization. (ex: an ecosystem has rocks AND deer, whereas a population just has deer)
Living and nonliving things share ...
... complexity, movement, and response to stimuli.
Homeostasis
All living organisms maintain stable internal conditions.
Metabolism
All living organisms convert substances into usable life energy.
Heredity
All living organisms possess a genetic system that is based on DNA, which is passed to offspring.
Producers
Organisms that make their own food using energy from raw materials and nonbiological sources.
Consumers
Organisms that feed on other organisms for energy.