Hypothesis
Testable prediction based on prior knowledge and observation
Theory
Broad explanation based on many experiments and high amounts of data
Pseudoscience
Claims or appears to be science, but does not follow scientific principles
Spontaneous Generation
The theory that life arose spontaneously from non-living matter persisted from ancient times through the 19th century
Alchemy
During the Middle Ages alchemists tried to discover a way to transform materials of little values
Astrology
theory of the influence of planets and stars on human events (zodiac charts)
Homeopathy
the treatment of disease by minute doses of natural substances that in a healthy person would produce symptoms of disease
Scientific methodology
A collection of standards that govern how scientific work is conducted
Controlled experiment
An experiment in which only one variable is manipulated at a time.
Experimental group
Receives the variable, while the control group does not
independent variable
variable that is manipulated
Dependent variable
The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of 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
Qualitative
Can't be measured or counted
Quantitative
Involves characteristics that can be easily measured or counted
Bias
A particular preference or point of view that is personal, rather than scientific.
Blind experiment
the experimental subjects do not know which treatment (if any) they are receiving
double-blind experiment
an experimental design in which neither the experimenter nor the participants are aware of which participants are in the experimental group and which are in the control group until the results are calculated
Biology
The study of life
Cells
The basic unit of structure and function in all living things
sexual reproduction
type of reproduction in which cells from two parents unite to form the first cell of a new organism
asexual reproduction
A reproductive process that involves only one parent and produces offspring that are identical to the parent.
DNA
A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.
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
The relatively constant set of conditions
Viruses
Particles made up of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and they depend entirely upon other living things (parasites)
Heterotrophs
Get energy by eating
Autotrophs
Organisms that make their own food