1 - Characteristics of Living Organisms Flashcards
How can we determine if something is living?
- Have organized structure made up of organic molecules
- Are made up of one or more cells
- Grow, develop and reproduce
- Need energy to survive
- Respond to stimuli
- Maintain homeostasis
- Have the ability to evolve over generations
What is metabolism?
sum of all chemical reactions with living cells
What is homeostasis?
stable environment is maintained
What are adaptations?
traits that allow living organisms to survive better in their environment and will become more prevalent over time
What are the levels of organization within living organisms?
- Atoms and molecules
- Organelles
- Cells
- Tissues
- Organs
- Organ systems
- Multicellular organism
- Population
- Community
- Ecosystem
- Biosphere
What are the characteristics shared by all cells?
- surrounded by a membrane
- have internal mass (cytoplasm)
- contain genetic material (DNA)
- have ribosomes (required to make proteins)
What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells? (type of organisms, size, membrane-bound organelles, DNA form, DNA location, internal membranes)
Prokaryotic:
- Unicellular organisms (Ex: bacteria, archaea)
1. Small in size (1 -10 µm)
2. DNA not enclosed within its own membrane, circular in shape
3. Lack membrane bound organelles
4. Have ribosomes
5. Cytoplasm fills cell
Eukaryotic:
- Both unicellular and multicellular organisms made of eukaryotic cells (Ex: plants, animals, fungi, protists)
1. larger in size (10 -100 µm)
2. DNA is enclosed within its own membrane - nucleus, DNA molecules are linear strands
3. Contains many membrane bound organelles each with specialized functions
4. Have ribosomes
5. Cytoplasm fills most of the cell but is not found within nucleus
What is tissue?
Group of similar cells within an intercellular matrix specialized to perform a function
What are organs?
Made up of several types of tissues, but work together to perform the same function
What are organ systems?
Organs that work together to perform a particular function
What are multicellular organisms?
Independent living unit composed of molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs and organ tissues
What is a population?
Group of individuals of the same species, living in the same area
What is a community?
All the populations of all the species that occupy the same area
What is an ecosystem?
All of the living organisms in a given area and the physical environment they interact with
What is the difference between abiotic and biotic components?
Biotic - living
Abiotic - non-living
