Bio 189 Midterm Study Guide Exam |131
Questions and Answers
Archaea - --Singular, archaeon.
-Group of prokary-otes that are more closely related to eukaryotes than to bacteria.
-Atom - -Smallest unit of matter. Consists of varying numbers of protons, neutrons, and
electrons.
-Bacteria - -Single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus; prokaryotes
-Biology - -The scientific study of life.
-Cell - --Smallest unit of life.
-All start out life with a plasma membrane, cytosol, and DNA.
-Community - -All populations of all species living in a defined area.
-Control group - -In an experiment, a group of individuals identical to an experimental
group except for the variable under investigation.
-Controlled variable - -Factor in an experiment that scientist purposely keep the same
-Critical thinking - -The act of evaluating information before accepting it.
-Dependent variable - -The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to
manipulations of the independent variable.
-DNA - --Deoxyribonucleic acid.
-Double-stranded nucleic acid that consists of deoxyribose-containing nucleotides.
-Carries hereditary information.
-Experiment - -Statement, based on a hypothesis, about a condition that should reasonably
occur if the hypothesis is correct.
-Experimental group - --In an experiment, a group of individuals who have a certain
characteristic or receive a certain treatment. -Tested side by side with a control group.
-Fungi - --Plural, fungi.
-Single-celled or multicelled eukaryotic
-Consumer that breaks down material outside itself, then absorbs nutrients released from
the breakdown.
-Genus - --Plural, genera.
, -A group of species that share a unique set of traits.
-First part of a species name.
-Homeostasis - -Process in which cells and multicelled organisms keeps their internal
conditions within tolerable ranges by sensing and responding appropriately to change.
-Independent variable - -The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose
effect is being studied.
-Inheritance - -Transmission of DNA to offspring.
-Law of nature - -Generalization describing a consistent natural phenomenon that has an
incomplete scientific explanation.
-Model - -Analogous system in an experiment; tested in place of another subject.
-Molecule - -Two or more atoms joined by chemical bonds.
-Nutrient - -A substance that an organism must acquire from the environment to support
growth and survival.
-Organ - -In multicelled organisms, a structure that consists of tissues engaged in a
collective task.
-Organism - -Individual that consists of one or more cells.
-Organ system - -In multicelled organisms, a set of interacting organs and tissues that
carry out one or more body functions.
-Photosynthesis - -Metabolic pathway by which most autotrophs use light energy to make
sugars from carbon dioxide and water.
-Plants - --A multicelled eukaryotic producer
-Most are photosynthetic and live on land.
-Develops from an embryo that forms on the parent and is nourished by it.
-Protist - -General term for eukaryote that is not a fungus, plant, or animal.
-Pseudoscience - -Claims, arguments, or methods that are presented as science, but do not
follow scientific principles.
-Sampling error - -Difference between results obtained from a subset, and results obtained
from the whole.
-Science - -Systematic study of the observable world.
Questions and Answers
Archaea - --Singular, archaeon.
-Group of prokary-otes that are more closely related to eukaryotes than to bacteria.
-Atom - -Smallest unit of matter. Consists of varying numbers of protons, neutrons, and
electrons.
-Bacteria - -Single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus; prokaryotes
-Biology - -The scientific study of life.
-Cell - --Smallest unit of life.
-All start out life with a plasma membrane, cytosol, and DNA.
-Community - -All populations of all species living in a defined area.
-Control group - -In an experiment, a group of individuals identical to an experimental
group except for the variable under investigation.
-Controlled variable - -Factor in an experiment that scientist purposely keep the same
-Critical thinking - -The act of evaluating information before accepting it.
-Dependent variable - -The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to
manipulations of the independent variable.
-DNA - --Deoxyribonucleic acid.
-Double-stranded nucleic acid that consists of deoxyribose-containing nucleotides.
-Carries hereditary information.
-Experiment - -Statement, based on a hypothesis, about a condition that should reasonably
occur if the hypothesis is correct.
-Experimental group - --In an experiment, a group of individuals who have a certain
characteristic or receive a certain treatment. -Tested side by side with a control group.
-Fungi - --Plural, fungi.
-Single-celled or multicelled eukaryotic
-Consumer that breaks down material outside itself, then absorbs nutrients released from
the breakdown.
-Genus - --Plural, genera.
, -A group of species that share a unique set of traits.
-First part of a species name.
-Homeostasis - -Process in which cells and multicelled organisms keeps their internal
conditions within tolerable ranges by sensing and responding appropriately to change.
-Independent variable - -The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose
effect is being studied.
-Inheritance - -Transmission of DNA to offspring.
-Law of nature - -Generalization describing a consistent natural phenomenon that has an
incomplete scientific explanation.
-Model - -Analogous system in an experiment; tested in place of another subject.
-Molecule - -Two or more atoms joined by chemical bonds.
-Nutrient - -A substance that an organism must acquire from the environment to support
growth and survival.
-Organ - -In multicelled organisms, a structure that consists of tissues engaged in a
collective task.
-Organism - -Individual that consists of one or more cells.
-Organ system - -In multicelled organisms, a set of interacting organs and tissues that
carry out one or more body functions.
-Photosynthesis - -Metabolic pathway by which most autotrophs use light energy to make
sugars from carbon dioxide and water.
-Plants - --A multicelled eukaryotic producer
-Most are photosynthetic and live on land.
-Develops from an embryo that forms on the parent and is nourished by it.
-Protist - -General term for eukaryote that is not a fungus, plant, or animal.
-Pseudoscience - -Claims, arguments, or methods that are presented as science, but do not
follow scientific principles.
-Sampling error - -Difference between results obtained from a subset, and results obtained
from the whole.
-Science - -Systematic study of the observable world.
