chap 1 - flashcards - mader bio.txt

Organism's modification in structure- function- or behavior that better suits the environment

Multicellular- heterotrophic eukaryote characterized by the presence of muscular and nervous tissue and undergoing development to achieve its final form

Scientific name of an organism- the first part of which designates the genus and the second part of which designates the specific epithet.

Total number of species- the variability of their genes- and the communities in which they live.

Scientific study of life.

Zone of air- land- and water at the surface of the Earth in which living organisms are found.

Smallest unit that displays the properties of life; composed of organelle-containing cytoplasm surrounded by a plasma membrane.

One of the categories of subgroups used by taxonomists to group species; class within a phylum or division.

Assemblage of species interacting with one another within the same environment.

Statement made following an experiment as to whether or not the results support the hypothesis.

Sample that goes through all the steps of an experiment but does not contain the variable being tested; a standard against which the results of an experiment are checked.

Facts or information collected through observation and/or experimentation.

Process of logic and reasoning- using "if . . . then" statements.

Largest of the categories- or taxa- used by taxonomists to group species; the three domains are Archaea- Bacteria- and Eukarya.

One of the three domains of life; contains prokaryotic cells that often live in extreme habitats and have unique genetic- biochemical- and physiological characteristics; its members are sometimes referred to as archaea.

One of the three domains of life; contains prokaryotic cells that differ from archaea because they have their own unique genetic- biochemical- and physiological characteristics.

One of the three domains of life- consisting of organisms with eukaryotic cells; includes protists

Biological community together with the associated abiotic environment; characterized by a flow of energy and a cycling of inorganic nutrients.

Quality that appears as biological complexity increases.

Capacity to do work and bring about change; occurs in a variety of forms.

Type of cell that has a membrane bounded nucleus and membranous organelles; found in organisms within the domain Eukarya.

Descent of organisms from common ancestors with the development of genetic and phenotypic changes over time that make them more suited to the environment.

Artificial situation devised to test a hypothesis.

Methodology by which an experiment will seek to support the hypothesis.

Factor of the experiment being tested.

Total disappearance of a species or higher group.

One of the categories- or taxa- used by taxonomists to group species; the taxon above the genus level.

Saprotrophic decomposer; the body is made up of filaments called hyphae that form a mass called a mycelium.

Unit of heredity existing as alleles on the chromosomes; in diploid organisms- typically two alleles are inherited�one from each parent.

One of the categories- or taxa- used by taxonomists to group species; contains those species that are most closely related through evolution.

Maintenance of normal internal conditions in a cell or an organism by means of self regulating mechanisms.

Supposition established by reasoning after consideration of available evidence; it can be tested by obtaining more data- often by experimentation.

Using specific observations and the process of logic and reasoning to arrive at a hypothesis.

One of the categories- or taxa- used by taxonomists to group species; the taxon above phylum.

All of the chemical reactions that occur in a cell during growth and repair.

Simulation of a process that aids conceptual understanding until the process can be studied firsthand; a hypothesis that describes how a particular process could possibly be carried out.

Organism composed of many cells; usually has organized tissues- organs- and organ systems.

Mechanism of evolution caused by environmental selection of organisms most fit to reproduce; results in adaptation to the environment.

Step in the scientific method by which data are collected before a conclusion is drawn.

One of the categories- or taxa- used by taxonomists to group species; the taxon above the family level.

Individual living thing.

Observable event.

Process occurring usually within chloroplasts whereby chlorophyll-containing organelles trap solar energy to reduce carbon dioxide to carbohydrate.

One of the categories- or taxa- used by taxonomists to group species; the taxon above the class level.

Multicellular- photosynthetic- eukaryotes that increasingly become adapted to live on land.

Group of organisms of the same species occupying a certain area and sharing a common gene pool.

Step of the scientific process that follows the formulation of a hypothesis and assists in creating the experimental design.

Theory that is generally accepted by an overwhelming number of scientists; also called a law.

Organism that lacks the membrane-bounded nucleus and membranous organelles typical of eukaryotes.