Biology Chapter 1 vocabulary

Science

An organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world.

Observation

Process of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful; orderly way

Data

Evidence; information gathered from observations

Hypothesis

A possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question

Spontaneous Generation

The theory that living things could arise from non-living things.

Control Group

A group in an experiment that is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group except for one independent variable

Independent (Manipulated) Variable

Factor in a controlled experiment that is deliberately changed.

Dependent (Responding) Variable

The variable that is observed and that changes in response to the independent variable

Theory

A well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations and hypothesis, and predictions about new situations.

Biology

The scientific study of life

Cell

Basic units of all forms of life.

Sexual Reproduction

A type of reproduction in which cells from two parents unite to form the first cell of a new organism.

Asexual Reproduction

a single organism produces offspring identical to itself

Metabolism

The combination of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials

Homeostasis

Living things maintaining a stable, internal environment.

Metric System

Decimal system of measurement units based on certain physical standards.

Stimulus

a signal to which an organism responds