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Glossary
BIO 101 Unit 1 Introductions
adaptation
The fitness of an organism for its environment including the process by which it becomes fit and
is able to survive and to reproduce.
autotrophs
An organism that can produce their own food usually by photosynthesis.
behavior
All responses made by an organism to changes in the environment.
community
Different populations interacting with one another within the same environment.
data
Experimentally derived facts.
development
All the changes that take place during the life of an organism.
ecosystem
A setting in which populations interact with each other and with the physical environment.
energy
The capacity to do work and bring about change; occurs in a variety of forms.
evolution
Changes that occur to the members of a species with the passage of time, often resulting in
increased adaptation of organisms to the environment.
genes
Coded information in organisms that dictate their form, function & behavior.
growth
Refers to the increase in size and number of cells of an organism.
heterotrophs
An organism that must obtain materials and energy by obtaining food.
homeostasis
The ability of our body to maintain a relatively constant internal environment as our external
environment changes by means of self-regulating mechanisms.
hypothesis
An educated guess developed after making an observation. It can be tested by obtaining data
through experimentation.
metabolism
All the chemical changes that occur within a cell.
organ
A group of different tissues working together to perform a common function.
organ system
A group of related organs working together
organism
A living being capable of the normal characteristics of life.
population
Group of organisms of the same species occupying a certain area and sharing a common gene
pool.
reproduce
To produce a new individual of the same kind.
science
A human endeavor that considers what is observable by the senses. Sometimes scientists use
instruments to extend the senses.
species
Organisms of a group so genetically similar that they can produce fertile offspring.
theory
A concept supported by a large number of observations, experiments and conclusions
tissue
A group of similar cells which perform a common function.