Bio Ch 1 Flashcards
Biology
scientific study of life
Cell
composed of a variety of molecules working together; a basic unit of structure and function of all living things
Unicellular
Ex. paramecia; live independently
Multicellular
contain more than one cell
Emergent properties
function or trait that appears as biological complexity increases
Atom
smallest unit of an element composed of electrons, protons, and neutrons
Molecule
unit of 2+ atoms of the same or different elements
Tissue
group of cells with a common structure and function
Organ
composed of tissues functioning together for a specific task
Organ System
composed of several organs working together
Organism
an individual; complex individuals contain organ systems
Population
organisms of the same species in a particular area
Community
Interacting populations in a particular area
Ecosystem
Community plus the physical environment
Biosphere
regions of the Earth’s crust, waters, and atmosphere inhabited by living things; zone of air, land, and water at the surface of the earth where organisms exist
Energy
capacity to do work
metabolism
(Meta = change); encompasses all the chemical reactions that occur in a cell
Photosynthesis
process that transforms solar energy into the chemical energy of organic nutrient molecules
Homeostasis
biological balance (Gk, homioas, like and stasis, the same)
Reproduce
Every type of living thing can make another organism like itself
Genes
blueprint for an organism’s metabolism and organization are encoded in these; contain specific info for how the organism is to be ordered; made of long molecules of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
Adaptations
(Latin, ad, toward & aptus, suitable); modifications that make organisms better able to function in a particular environment
Evolution
Latin, evolution, an unrolling; way in which populations of organisms change over the course of many generations to become more suited to their environments
Common Characteristics of all Living Organisms
(1) Acquire materials/energy (2) maintain homeostasis (3) respond (4) reproduce/develop (5) have adaptations (6) are organized
Taxonomy
Greek, tasso, arrange & nomos, usage; discipline of identifying and grouping organisms according to certain rules
Systematics
Study of the evolutionary relationships between organisms
Taxa (basic classification categories)
(least inclusive to most) Species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, & domain (Dynamic Kings Play Chess On Fine Grain Sand)
3 Domains
Domain Bacteria, domain Archaea, domain Eukarya
Common Characteristics of all Living Organisms
(1) Acquire materials/energy (2) maintain homeostasis (3) respond (4) reproduce/develop (5) have adaptations
Domain Bacteria
Contains prokaryotic cells that differ from archaea b/c they have their own unique genetic, biochemical, and physiological characteristics
Taxonomy
Greek, tasso, arrange & nomos, usage; discipline of identifying and grouping organisms according to certain rules
Domain Archaea
Contains prokaryotic cells that often live in extreme habitats and have unique genetic, biochemical, and physiological characteristics; its members are sometimes referred to as archaea
Domain Archaea
Contains prokaryotic cells that often live in extreme habitats and have unique genetic, biochemical, and physiological characteristics; its members are sometimes referred to as archaea
Domain Eukarya
Organisms with eukaryotic cells; includes protists, fungi, plants, and animals
Domain Eukarya
Organisms with eukaryotic cells; includes protists, fungi, plants, and animals
Prokaryotes
lack membrane-bounded nucleus
Animals
Kingdom Animalia; multicellular organisms that must ingest and process their food; ex. aardvarks, jellyfish, zebras
Binomial nomenclature
(Latin bi, 2 & nomen, name); each living thing is assigned a two-part name called a scientific name; ex. mistletoe = Phoradendron tomentosum; 1st word = genus; 2nd word = species designation (specific epithet)
Natural selection
process that made modification/adaptation possible (Charles Darwin); “common descent with modification”
Fungi
Kingdom Fungi; familiar molds, mushrooms; along with bacteria, help decompose dead organisms
Animals
Kingdom Animalia; multicellular organisms that must ingest and process their food; ex. aardvarks, jellyfish, zebras
Binomial nomenclature
(Latin bi, 2 & nomen, name); each living thing is assigned a two-part name called a scientific name; ex. mistletoe = Phoradendron tomentosum; 1st word = genus; 2nd word = species designation (specific epithet)
Natural selection
process that made modification/adaptation possible (Charles Darwin); “common descent with modification”
Biodiversity
total number and relative abundance of species, the variability of their genes, and the different ecosystems in which they live
Extinction
death of a species or larger classification category
Hypothesis
informed statement that can be tested in a manner suited to the processes of science
Phenomenon
natural event
Observation
Formal way of “seeing what happens”
Inductive reasoning
occurs whenever a person uses creative thinking to combine isolated facts into a cohesive whole
Experimental design
manner in which a scientist intends to conduct an experiment
Experimental (independent) variable
good experimental design ensures scientists are examining the contribution of a specific variable to the observation; component or factor being tested
Deductive reasoning
“If, then” logic
Prediction
expected outcome
Standard deviation
statistical analysis that is a measure of how much the data in an experiment varies
Control
group not exposed to the environmental variable
Scientific theories
concepts that join together well-supported and related hypotheses; supported by a broad range of observations, experiments, and data, often from a variety of disciplines
Data
results of an experiment; should be observable and objective
Experimental design
manner in which a scientist intends to conduct an experiment
Law
sometimes = preferred term instead of principle
Conclusion
Is the hypothesis supported or not?
Principle
theories that are generally accepted by an overwhelming number of scientists
Responding (dependent) variable
result or change that occurs due to the experimental (independent) variable
Law
sometimes = preferred term instead of principle
Scientific theories
concepts that join together well-supported and related hypotheses; supported by a broad range of observations, experiments, and data, often from a variety of disciplines
