CHAPTER 1 “The Study of Life” Vocabulary Assignment
*Important Vocabulary: Using index cards or on paper, use each term
below in a BIOLOGICALLY good sentence. A good sentence does not just
rephrase the definition-it shows that you understand how to apply it to a
biological situation. If you use index cards, please put your name on them
and turn them in a baggie or secure with a rubber band.
1.Observation involves using one or more of the senses to gather
information
2. spontaneous generation-the idea that life could arise from nonliving
matter (was a hypothesis)
3. Biology-study of living things
4. Inference –logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and
experience
5. Controlled experiment-only one variable is changed at a time. All other
variables should be kept unchanged or controlled
6. cell-collection of living matter enclosed by a barrier that separates the
cell from its surroundings, the smallest unit of life
7. Hypothesis -possible explanation for a set of observations or an answer
to a scientific question
8. Theory-applies to a well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of
observations
9. Manipulated variable (independent)-the variable that is deliberately
changed (“I changed it”)
10. Data- information gathered from observations may be quantitative or
qualitative
*
11. Responding variable (dependent)-variable that is observed and those
changes in response to the manipulated variable.
12. Control group-a comparison group usually the group without the
manipulated variable or a “normal” level
13. constants-variables that are kept the same throughout an experiment.
14. Sexual reproduction-two cells from different parents unite to produce
the first cell of the new organism. –different DNA
15. asexual reproduction-the new organism has a single parent, same
DNA
16. Metabolism –combination of chemical reactions through which an
organism builds up or breaks down materials as it carries out its life
processes
17. homeostasis -process by which organisms keep their internal
conditions relatively stable
18. evolve-populations change over time
19. stimulus-a signal an organism responds to, maybe external or internal
20. Compound light microscope –allows light to pass through the
specimen and use two lenses to form an image.
Chapter 1 vocab. assignment Part 2-use each term below in a Biologically
good sentence! Due 9/16, 9/17
21. Electron microscope-focus beams of electrons on specimens, TEMtransmission-through a specimen, SEM- scanning-electrons back and
forth across the surface. Only dried out and dead specimens.
22. Cell culture-a group of cells develops from a single original cell
23. Cell fractionation-separation of cell parts using a centrifuge
Important Scientists
24. Aristotle –made observations about the natural world, thought that
“vital” forces brought some living things into being from nonliving material
25. Francesco Redi-1668-tested the hypothesis of biogenesis by a
controlled experiment using meat, refuted the hypothesis of spontaneous
generation
26. Anton Leeuwenhoek -prepared first lenses to magnify tiny objects,
referred to as “animalcules
27. John Needham-tried to disprove Redi’s experiment, with heated gravy,
claiming the heat killed anything alive and said the gravy produced the
“animalcules”
28. Lazzaro Spallanzani-improved Needham’s experiment, heated and
sealed one flask,supported Redi’s hypothesis
29. Louis Pasteur- designed experiment with a curved neck flask, so both
open to the air, but couldn’t come from the air-disproved hypothesis of
spontaneous generation, supported the theory of biogenesis.
Branches of Biology
30. Botany-scientific study of plants
31. Genetics-science of genes, heredity and the variation of organisms
32. Biochemistry-explores the chemistry of living organisms and the
molecular basis for the changes occurring in living cells.
Anatomy-branch of natural science dealing with the structural
organization of living things.
33. subdiscipline of biology that studies all aspects of the cell.
34. Ecology-study of interactions of organisms with one another and with
the physical and chemical environment.
35. Zoology-the study of animals
36. Paleontology-study of ancient life forms that inhabited our earth and of
the fossils that remain behind.
37. Cryobiology-branch of biology that studeis the effects of low
temperatures on living things
38. Taxonomy-the science of organizing and naming living things
39. Microbiology-study of microorganisms
40. Ethology-study of animal behavior
*Important questions (answer on separate paper in complete sentences).
1. What is the difference between an observation and inference?(pg.4)
2. Compare qualitative and quantitative observations.(pg.4)
3. Why is Redi’s experiment on spontaneous generation a controlled
experiment?(pg.9)
4. How did the design of Pasteur’s flask help him refute the hypothesis of
spontaneous generation?(pg.12)
5. List AND describe the characteristics of living things.(pg.16)
6. Describe the Levels of Organization in the study of Biology. Choose an
organism and identify the levels of organization that characterize it and its
environment.(pg.21)
7. What happens to an organism if its homeostasis is disrupted and not
restored?(think!)
8. Why do scientists use a common measurement system?(pg.24)
9. What is the difference in the way light microscopes and electron
microscopes produce images?(pg.25)
10. What types of objects can be studied with a light microscope? An electron
microscope?(pg.26)
11. List and describe the 5 most important lab safety rules.(pg.28 and think!)
*Labs and Activities: What is Life Lab, data game, designing experiments,
microscope activity/lab, metric scavenger hunt, safety video/activity, Biology
in Your Life, Biology Current Events
*Quizzes on microscopes, metrics, vocabulary, experiments, lab safety,
vocabulary
*Chapter 1 TEST –to be given on:_____________________
Biology Current Event due:__________________________