BIO 189 MIDTERM REVISED STUDY
GUIDE EXAM 2026
Archaea - --Singular, archaeon.
-Group of prokaryotes 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.
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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.
Bio 189