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applied science
a form of science that solves real-world problems
atom
a basic unit of matter that cannot be broken down by normal chemical reactions
basic science
science that seeks to expand knowledge regardless of the short-term application of that knowledge
biology
the study of life
biosphere
a collection of all ecosystems on Earth
cell
the smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living things
community
a set of populations inhabiting a particular area
control
a part of an experiment that does not change during the experiment
deductive reasoning
a form of logical thinking that uses a general statement to predict specific results
descriptive science
a form of science that aims to observe, explore, and find things out
ecosystem
all living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, nonliving parts of that environment
eukaryote
an organism with cells that have nuclei and membrane-bound organelles
evolution
the process of gradual change in a population that can also lead to new species arising from older species
falsifiable
able to be disproven by experimental results
homeostasis
the ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions
hypothesis
a suggested explanation for an event, which can be tested
hypothesis-based science
a form of science that begins with a specific explanation that is then tested
inductive reasoning
a form of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion
life science
a field of science, such as biology, that studies living things
macromolecule
a large molecule typically formed by the joining of smaller molecules
molecule
a chemical structure consisting of at least two atoms held together by a chemical bond
natural science
a field of science that studies the physical world, its phenomena, and processes
organ
a structure formed of tissues operating together to perform a common function
organ system
the higher level of organization that consists of functionally related organs
organelle
a membrane-bound compartment or sac within a cell
organism
an individual living entity
peer-reviewed article
a scientific report that is reviewed by a scientist’s colleagues before publication
phylogenetic tree
a diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among biological species based on similarities and differences in genetic or physical traits or both
physical science
a field of science, such as astronomy, physics, and chemistry, that studies nonliving matter
population
all individuals within a species living within a specific area
prokaryote
a unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelle
science
knowledge that covers general truths or the operation of general laws, especially when acquired and tested by the scientific method
scientific law
a description, often in the form of a mathematical formula, for the behavior of some aspect of nature under certain specific conditions
scientific method
a method of research with defined steps that include experiments and careful observation
scientific theory
a thoroughly tested and confirmed explanation for observations or phenomena
tissue
a group of similar cells carrying out the same function
variable
a part of an experiment that can vary or change
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