Science

a way of investigating phenomena using rational logical thinking

Scientific Method

a six‑step process used to answer questions and test hypotheses

Observation

observing nature to gather background information or research

Question

developing a focused question to guide a study

Hypothesis

an educated guess based on observations or research

Prediction

an If‑Then statement derived from a hypothesis

Experimentation

developing a method to test a prediction

Control Group

group under normal conditions used for comparison

Experimental Group

group where conditions are altered

Independent Variable

the variable controlled by the researcher

Dependent Variable

the variable measured or affected

Controlled Variables

variables kept constant between groups

Conclusion

accepting or rejecting a hypothesis based on data analysis

Biology

the study of life

Cellularity

all organisms are made of cells

Unicellular

made of one cell

Multicellular

made of many cells

Prokaryotic

cells with unbound DNA and no nucleus

Eukaryotic

cells with DNA inside a nucleus

Reproduction

ability to produce viable offspring

Asexual Reproduction

one parent produces genetically identical offspring

Sexual Reproduction

two parents produce genetically varied offspring

Nutritional Requirements

all organisms require nutrients

Autotroph

organism that produces its own glucose

Heterotroph

organism that obtains glucose from external sources

Growth and Development

increase in size and differentiation of cells

Irritability

ability to respond to stimuli

Homeostasis

maintaining internal balance or consistency

Mutation

any change in DNA; can be neutral

Adaptation

a beneficial inherited trait that improves survival

Virus

nonliving particle lacking cells

Ecosystem

a geographic region with similar biota and abiotic conditions

Biota

living organisms in an ecosystem

Abiotic Conditions

nonliving environmental factors

Community

all species living together in an ecosystem

Population

interacting individuals of the same species capable of reproduction

Organism

an individual living thing

System

interacting organs performing a common function

Organ

structure made of tissues working together

Tissue

sheets of communicating cells working together

Cellular Level

individual cells of an organism

Chemical/Molecular Level

molecules and chemicals of cells

Anatomy

study of organism structure

Physiology

study of chemical interactions and function in organisms

Cytology

study of cells

Histology

study of tissues

Ecology

study of environments and organisms in ecosystems

Genetics

study of DNA

Pathology

study of disease

Biochemistry

study of organic molecules and their functions

Bacteriology

study of bacteria

Virology

study of viruses

Phycology

study of algae

Mycology

study of fungi

Botany

study of plants

Zoology

study of animals

Taxonomy

naming and classifying organisms

Domain Archaea

unicellular prokaryotes living in extreme environments

Domain Bacteria

unicellular prokaryotes in typical environments

Domain Eukarya

all eukaryotic organisms

Kingdom Monera

unicellular prokaryotes including bacteria and cyanobacteria

Kingdom Protista

mostly unicellular eukaryotes including algae

Kingdom Plantae

multicellular eukaryotic autotrophs with cellulose cell walls

Kingdom Fungi

mostly multicellular eukaryotic heterotrophs with chitin cell walls

Kingdom Animalia

multicellular eukaryotic heterotrophs lacking cell walls

Evolution

change in populations over time

Natural Selection

nature selecting individuals best suited for survival

Survival of the Fittest

individuals with advantageous traits survive and reproduce