Biology Midterm Exam Questions and Answers

Biology - ANSWER Scientific study of life Organism - ANSWER a unit of life (multi-cellular or uni-cellular) Growth & development - ANSWER During fertilization, a single fertilized egg divides again and again. As the cells divide, they differentiate, which means they begin to look different from one another and to perform different functions. Reproduction - ANSWER All organisms produce new similar organisms. Most plants and animals engage in sexual reproduction. In sexual reproduction, cells from 2 parents unite to form the 1st cell of a new organism. Other organisms reproduce through asexual reproduction, in which a single organism produces offspring identical to itself. Species - ANSWER a group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring. Stimulus response - ANSWER Organisms detect and respond to stimuli from their environment. A stimulus is a signal to which an organism responds. Homeostasis - ANSWER All organisms need to keep their internal environment relatively stable, even when external conditions change dramatically. Adaptation - ANSWER heritable characteristic that increases an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in an environment. 8 characteristics of life - ANSWER • Made up of cells • Based on a universal genetic code • Obtain and use materials and energy • Grow and develop • Reproduce • Respond to environment • Maintain a stable internal environment • Change over time science - ANSWER Organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world. Science - ANSWER Organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world. Theory - ANSWER well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations and hypotheses, and enables scientists to make accurate predictions about new situations. Peer review - ANSWER scientific papers are reviewed by anonymous, independent experts. Metric system - ANSWER Most scientists use the metric system when collecting data and performing experiments. Scientific method - ANSWER A way to observe, ask questions, make inferences, form hypothesis, conduct experiments, and collect data, and draw conclusions. 1. Observation - ANSWER act of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way. 2. Inference and Hypothesis - ANSWER Inference- logical interpretation base on what scientists already know(can lead to hypothesis) hypothesis- scientific explanation for a set of observations that can be tested in ways that support it or reject it 3. Designing Controlled experiments - ANSWER Testing a scientific hypothesis often involves designing an experiment that keeps track of various factors that can change, or variables. When ever possible, a hypothesis should be tested by an experiment in which only one variable is changed. All of the other variables should be kept unchanged, or controlled. 4. Collecting and analyzing data - ANSWER Scientists make detailed records of experimental observations, gathering information called data. 5. Drawing Conclusions - ANSWER Scientists use experimental data as evidence to support, refute, or revise the hypothesis being testes, and to draw a valid conclusion. Observation - ANSWER process of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way. Inference - ANSWER a logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience. Hypothesis - ANSWER possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question. Experiment - ANSWER Testing a scientific hypothesis often involves designing an experiment that keeps track of various factors that can change, or variables. Control Group - ANSWER group in an experiment that is exposed to the same conditions as the experiment group except for one independent variable. Experimental Group - ANSWER the group in an experiment that is exposed to the independent variable. Independent Variable - ANSWER factor in a controlled experiment that is deliberately changed; also called manipulated variable. Dependent Variable - ANSWER variable that is observed and that changes in response to the independent variable; also called the responding variable. Constant - ANSWER something that's the same the whole experiment. Factors that are kept the same.