Natural Science Exam 1
control variable - ANSIn an experiment of or set of compared observations, a variable that does
not differ between control and test groups.
controlled experiment - ANSTest group compared to a control, or unaltered, group.
data - ANSRecordable observations or measurements.
deductive reasoning - ANSUsing general principles to infer answers to specific questions.
dependent variable - ANSMeasured results of an experiment; result of the effects of the
independent variable
double blind - ANSExperiment in which neither researcher nor subject knows which treatment is
being given until the data have been collected.
hypothesis - ANSExplanation of expectations based on an understanding of current evidence.
independent variable - ANSCondition being tested; different in test and control groups.
inductive reasoning - ANSUsing specific examples to extrapolate general principles.
observation - ANSA description or characterization of a natural phenomenon, either
experimental or not, usually in the smallest unit; a quantitative or qualitative measure of a
subject under study; together with others forms a set of results or dataset.
science - ANSAsks and answers questions based on the assumption that processes are based
on generalized rules that can be described with careful observation in an attempt to understand
the natural world.
scientific inquiry - ANSSearch for information and explanation.
theory - ANSGeneral, verifiable principle explaining many observations and based on the results
of controlled experiments or observations.
Describe the science of biology - ANSBiology is the subset of science that aims to understand
the structure and function of the living world, but it is strongly linked to other sciences. Biology is
itself split into specialties, often based on level of organization. These include everything from
molecular biology, which examines how genes and proteins interact to make up the diversity of
structures an organism possesses, to ecosystems ecology, which studies how entire
communities of organisms interact with their external environment to shape global processes
, biological evolution - ANSA process that results in heritable changes in a population over time
natural selection - ANSMechanism of evolution theorized by Darwin and Wallace. Organisms
best suited to the environment have the most resources for survival and reproduction and pass
their successful traits to offspring
Identify evolution as the core theme and unifying concept in biology - ANSCharles Darwin
formulated one mechanism of evolution, natural selection, in the mid-1800s by simple
observation. Natural selection is a process that describes how traits change in a population by
the differential reproduction of its members. Genetics was incorporated into evolution in the
mid-1900s. Today, scientists study evolution at the level of genes.
Explain how evolution has led to both the unity and diversity of life forms. - ANSEvidences from
similarities in DNA and cellular structures and processes support Darwin's idea that all
organisms share a common ancestor. Over time, life diverged to fill Earth's environments. As
Earth changed, life adapted. If a life form could not adapt to changes, it went extinct. The result
of evolution is the extraordinary diversity we see on Earth today. The uniformity in diverse
species provides the evidence of unity of evolution. Specifically, the structure of the cell
membrane, the uniformity of the base pairs that construct DNA, and even the homologous
structure of limbs show the similarity between species. Evolution is also able to explain the
diversity of life. Organisms must compete for a limited amount of resources. Each organism is
adapted to its environment.
Explain biological classification in terms of evolutionary history. - ANSScientists organize life
based on evolutionary relationships. Evolutionary "trees of life" illustrate patterns of divergence
over time. Because evolution explains the unity and diversity of life, it is at the core of biology.
Distinguish between the biological and common meanings of the word "evolution." -
ANSScientists define evolution as the heritable change in a population over time. This definition
is distinct from more common uses of the word "evolve" or "evolution." In common speech,
evolution can refer to any change over time, such as a change in a person's character or the
refinement of an idea.
Describe Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection or 'descent with modification.' -
ANSThe theory of natural selection holds that because organisms have more offspring than the
environment can support and those offspring are not identical, the survivors often have
characteristics that are more favorable in the current environment. They pass these favorable
traits to their offspring. Darwin proposed natural selection as the process by which evolution
occurs. Over generations, the frequency of traits that favor survival and reproduction increases.
If the environment changes, different traits might be favored, causing their frequency to
increase. Accumulation of these modifications through generations is descent with modification.
control variable - ANSIn an experiment of or set of compared observations, a variable that does
not differ between control and test groups.
controlled experiment - ANSTest group compared to a control, or unaltered, group.
data - ANSRecordable observations or measurements.
deductive reasoning - ANSUsing general principles to infer answers to specific questions.
dependent variable - ANSMeasured results of an experiment; result of the effects of the
independent variable
double blind - ANSExperiment in which neither researcher nor subject knows which treatment is
being given until the data have been collected.
hypothesis - ANSExplanation of expectations based on an understanding of current evidence.
independent variable - ANSCondition being tested; different in test and control groups.
inductive reasoning - ANSUsing specific examples to extrapolate general principles.
observation - ANSA description or characterization of a natural phenomenon, either
experimental or not, usually in the smallest unit; a quantitative or qualitative measure of a
subject under study; together with others forms a set of results or dataset.
science - ANSAsks and answers questions based on the assumption that processes are based
on generalized rules that can be described with careful observation in an attempt to understand
the natural world.
scientific inquiry - ANSSearch for information and explanation.
theory - ANSGeneral, verifiable principle explaining many observations and based on the results
of controlled experiments or observations.
Describe the science of biology - ANSBiology is the subset of science that aims to understand
the structure and function of the living world, but it is strongly linked to other sciences. Biology is
itself split into specialties, often based on level of organization. These include everything from
molecular biology, which examines how genes and proteins interact to make up the diversity of
structures an organism possesses, to ecosystems ecology, which studies how entire
communities of organisms interact with their external environment to shape global processes
, biological evolution - ANSA process that results in heritable changes in a population over time
natural selection - ANSMechanism of evolution theorized by Darwin and Wallace. Organisms
best suited to the environment have the most resources for survival and reproduction and pass
their successful traits to offspring
Identify evolution as the core theme and unifying concept in biology - ANSCharles Darwin
formulated one mechanism of evolution, natural selection, in the mid-1800s by simple
observation. Natural selection is a process that describes how traits change in a population by
the differential reproduction of its members. Genetics was incorporated into evolution in the
mid-1900s. Today, scientists study evolution at the level of genes.
Explain how evolution has led to both the unity and diversity of life forms. - ANSEvidences from
similarities in DNA and cellular structures and processes support Darwin's idea that all
organisms share a common ancestor. Over time, life diverged to fill Earth's environments. As
Earth changed, life adapted. If a life form could not adapt to changes, it went extinct. The result
of evolution is the extraordinary diversity we see on Earth today. The uniformity in diverse
species provides the evidence of unity of evolution. Specifically, the structure of the cell
membrane, the uniformity of the base pairs that construct DNA, and even the homologous
structure of limbs show the similarity between species. Evolution is also able to explain the
diversity of life. Organisms must compete for a limited amount of resources. Each organism is
adapted to its environment.
Explain biological classification in terms of evolutionary history. - ANSScientists organize life
based on evolutionary relationships. Evolutionary "trees of life" illustrate patterns of divergence
over time. Because evolution explains the unity and diversity of life, it is at the core of biology.
Distinguish between the biological and common meanings of the word "evolution." -
ANSScientists define evolution as the heritable change in a population over time. This definition
is distinct from more common uses of the word "evolve" or "evolution." In common speech,
evolution can refer to any change over time, such as a change in a person's character or the
refinement of an idea.
Describe Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection or 'descent with modification.' -
ANSThe theory of natural selection holds that because organisms have more offspring than the
environment can support and those offspring are not identical, the survivors often have
characteristics that are more favorable in the current environment. They pass these favorable
traits to their offspring. Darwin proposed natural selection as the process by which evolution
occurs. Over generations, the frequency of traits that favor survival and reproduction increases.
If the environment changes, different traits might be favored, causing their frequency to
increase. Accumulation of these modifications through generations is descent with modification.
