Observation
what is seen or measured
Inference
A conclusion based on observation or evidence
Hypothesis
An untested prediction.
Theory
An explanation of natural events that is supported by strong evidence.
Controlled Experiment
Compares the results of an experiment between two (or more) groups
Experimental Group
Group being tested or receiving treatment
Control Group
normal" group. should be identical to experimental group
in every way except one; it does not receive treatment
Independent (Manipulated) Variable
Variable that is being tested
Dependent (Responding) Variable
Variable that is measured at the end of an experiment
Characteristics Of A Good Experiment
Can be repeated by anyone and get the same results
Have large sample size/many test subjects Are performed
for longer periods of time Test only one variable at a
time Are peer reviewed Does not have to agree with
the hypothesis Is Objective
Most common elements in living things (CHONP)
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus
Water
The universal solvent
pH
A measure of how acidic/ basic something is
Carbohydrates
Sugars and starches (polysaccharides); made from monomers known as
simple sugars (monosccharides) and they supply energy
Lipids
store energy and include fats, oils, and waxes. They are made from a
glycerol/ carboxyl head that loves water and a fatty acid tail that
hates water.
Nucleic Acids
Store genetic information and are made from monomers called nucleotides.
Protein
Made from monomers called amino acids and have the jobs of making
receptor molecules on the cell membrane, receive/make chemical
messages, making antibodies, make up structural features, and acting
as enzymes.
Enzymes
Increase the rates of chemical reactions
Cell Theory
The Idea That...
All living things are made of cells Cells are the
basic units of structure and function All cells come from
pre-existing cells
Prokaryotic
A cell with no membrane bound nucleus or other organelles; smaller;
circular DNA; bacteria; reproduce asexually; single celled
Eukaryotic
Larger, more complex cell with membrane bound organelles; linear
(chromosomal) DNA; multi-cellular or single cellular
The Cell membrane
Made of lipids and proteins, this structure is semi-permeable and
regulates what enters and exits a cell
Homeostasis
Equilibrium
Passive Transport
Materials move down their concentration gradient without using energy.
Simple Diffusion
Diffusion involving small molecules like oxygen and carbon dioxide
Facilitated Diffusion
involves large molecules like glucose that the help of a transport
protein to move across the membrane
Osmosis
The diffusion of water into or out of the cell
Active Transport
requires the use of energy (ATP) and transport proteins or pumps, to
move molecules against their concentration gradient
Autotrophs
Organisms that create their own food
Heterotroph
Eat other organisms to obtain energy
Photosynthesis
Carried out by plants, alga and blue-green bacteria (autotrophs). It
takes the radiant energy of the sun and puts it in the bonds of sugar
molecules. This process occurs mostly in the chloroplast of plant cells.
Transfer Of Energy
Organisms get energy by breaking the bonds of sugar molecules. The
released energy is used to make a molecule of ATP, which gives all
organisms their energy.
Aerobic Cellular Respiration
requires oxygen, this process produces lactic acid that damages
muscles and creates a burning sensation
DNA
A nucleic acid made of 4 bases: ATCG. stores hereditary information
and codes for assembly of proteins
DNA Replication
making semi-conservative copies of DNA (must happen before any kind
of cell division)
DNA Transcription
Making mRNA from DNA template.
DNA Translation ( Protein synthesis)
The tRNA brings a specific amino acid to the ribosomes based on the
message carried on the mRNA; The ribosomes assemble the amino acids
together to synthesize a protein
Mutations
Changes to DNA
Gene
A sequence of DNA codes for a specific protein
Asexual Reproduction
a type of reproduction by which offspring arise from a single
organism, and inherit the genes of that parent only; it does not
involve the fusion of gametes and almost never changes the number of chromosomes.
Sexual Reproduction
Requires gametes (sex cells) The production of new living organisms
by combining genetic info from two individuals of opposite sex
Cell Cycle
Series of events between cell divisions (life span of a cell)
Mitosis
A form of asexual reproduction for some Eukaryotic cells
One diploid cell divides once to make tow identical diploid
cells Chromosome number in daughter cells is the same as in
the parent cell Large Organisms use this process for
growth, development and healing
Meiosis
Required for sexual reproduction (Produces Gametes) In
humans, 4 sperm cells or 1 egg and three polar bodies are produced
each time this process occurs
Zygote
A fertilized egg
Homozygous
Having two identical alleles for the same gene
Heterozygous
Different alleles from the same gene
Phenotype
Physical triats
Genotype
genetic makeup expressed using letters
Punnett Square
A mathematical tool that helps predict combinations in genetic crosses
Genetic Engineering (Gene Splicing)
The process of inserting genes of one organism into the genes of another
Evolution
States that modern species came from earlier, different species and
share a common ancestor
Natural Selection
The mechanism that causes species to change (survival of the fittest)
Gradualism
The theory that states evolution occurs slowly.
Punctuated Equilibrium
The theory that states evolution happens in quick spurts
Biotic
living or once living
Abiotic
nonliving
Producers
The start of the food chain and organism that generate there own food
Food Chain
shows single pathway for energy transfer
Food web
shows multiple options/ pathways for energy transfer in an ecosystem
Community Interactions
Predation, symbiosis, herbivory; all play a role in population
growth/management/ decline
Limiting factors
air, water, light, temperature, pH, food, predators, disease, etc.
effect population size
Carrying Capacity
The maximum size of a population that a ecosystem can support
Primary succession
The beginning of life where no previous life has existed
Secondary succession
A disturbance of some kind such as fire, tornado, or other natural
disasters causing an area to be set back to stage one in the process
of creating an environment with life.
Biodiversity
The variety on earth
Nutrient (biogeochemical) Cycles
how nutrients recycle through an ecosystem