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1.1: Key Terms

  • Page ID
    115026
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    abstract
    opening section of a scientific paper that summarizes the research and conclusions
    applied science
    form of science that aims to solve real-world problems
    atom
    smallest and most fundamental unit of matter that retains the properties of an element
    basic science
    science that seeks to expand knowledge and understanding regardless of the short-term application of that knowledge
    biochemistry
    study of the chemistry of biological organisms
    biology
    the study of life
    biosphere
    collection of all the ecosystems on Earth
    botany
    study of plants
    cell
    smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living things
    community
    set of populations inhabiting a particular area
    conclusion
    section of a scientific paper that summarizes the importance of the experimental findings
    control
    part of an experiment that does not change during the experiment
    deductive reasoning
    form of logical thinking that uses a general inclusive statement to predict specific results
    descriptive science
    (also, discovery science) form of science that aims to observe, explore, and investigate
    discussion
    section of a scientific paper in which the author interprets experimental results, describes how variables may be related, and attempts to explain the phenomenon in question
    ecosystem
    all the living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, nonliving parts of that environment
    eukaryote
    organism with cells that have nuclei and membrane-bound organelles
    evolution
    the process of gradual change in a population or species over time
    falsifiable
    able to be disproven by experimental results
    homeostasis
    ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions
    hypothesis
    suggested explanation for an observation, which one can test
    hypothesis-based science
    form of science that begins with a specific question and potential testable answers
    inductive reasoning
    form of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion
    introduction
    opening section of a scientific paper, which provides background information about what was known in the field prior to the research reported in the paper
    life science
    field of science, such as biology, that studies living things
    macromolecule
    large molecule, typically formed by the joining of smaller molecules
    materials and methods
    section of a scientific paper that includes a complete description of the substances, methods, and techniques that the researchers used to gather data
    microbiology
    study of the structure and function of microorganisms
    molecular biology
    study of biological processes and their regulation at the molecular level, including interactions among molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins
    molecule
    chemical structure consisting of at least two atoms held together by one or more chemical bonds
    natural science
    field of science that is related to the physical world and its phenomena and processes
    neurobiology
    study of the biology of the nervous system
    organ
    collection of related tissues grouped together performing a common function
    organ system
    level of organization that consists of functionally related interacting organs
    organelle
    small structures that exist within cells and carry out cellular functions
    organism
    individual living entity
    paleontology
    study of life’s history by means of fossils
    peer-reviewed manuscript
    scientific paper that a scientist’s colleagues review who are experts in the field of study
    phylogenetic tree
    diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in genetic or physical traits or both; in essence, a hypothesis concerning evolutionary connections
    physical science
    field of science, such as geology, astronomy, physics, and chemistry, that studies nonliving matter
    plagiarism
    using other people’s work or ideas without proper citation, creating the false impression that those are the author’s original ideas
    population
    all of the individuals of a species living within a specific area
    prokaryote
    single-celled organism that lacks organelles and does not have nuclei surrounded by a nuclear membrane
    results
    section of a scientific paper in which the author narrates the experimental findings and presents relevant figures, pictures, diagrams, graphs, and tables, without any further interpretation
    review article
    paper that summarizes and comments on findings that were published as primary literature
    science
    knowledge that covers general truths or the operation of general laws, especially when acquired and tested by the scientific method
    scientific method
    method of research with defined steps that include observation, formulation of a hypothesis, testing, and confirming or falsifying the hypothesis
    serendipity
    fortunate accident or a lucky surprise
    theory
    tested and confirmed explanation for observations or phenomena
    tissue
    group of similar cells carrying out related functions
    variable
    part of an experiment that the experimenter can vary or change
    zoology
    study of animals

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