A model, based on a body of experimental evidence, that is used to explain the mechanism of behavior of things such as atoms or cells is known as a

A natural law describes consistent, universal phenomena that occur under certain conditions, often expressed mathematically. Unlike theories, natural laws do not explain why those phenomena occur but rather describe what happens. For instance, Newton's law of gravitation describes the attraction between masses but does not explain the underlying cause of gravity.

A hypothesis is a preliminary, testable statement or prediction about the relationship between variables. It serves as a starting point for further investigation but lacks the extensive validation that a theory possesses. A hypothesis is not sufficiently developed to explain mechanisms on its own.

A conclusion is the result derived from analyzing data collected during experiments. It summarizes findings rather than providing a comprehensive explanation of mechanisms. Conclusions are often drawn from empirical evidence but do not function as models or frameworks like theories do.