Biology Chapter 1

Question 1

adaptation

Answer 1

The process by which populations of organisms become suited to changing environmental conditions as large numbers of offspring with desirable traits survive to succeeding generations.

Question 2

atom

Answer 2

Basic unit of matter. There are 118 different types of atoms

Question 3

biomolecules

Answer 3

A large molecule made from repeating arrays of small molecules. A building block for cells. carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids

Question 4

biosphere

Answer 4

All living things on earth.

Question 5

cell

Answer 5

A microscopic, membrane-bound entity that possesses genetic material, cycles matter and flows energy, is composed of biomolecules, and contains cytoplasm. It is the basic unit of life and the smallest entity capable of carrying out all the requirements for life.

Question 6

chemical gradient

Answer 6

A region of increasing or decreasing concentration of any substance, or a situation where a cell membrane has differing concentrations of a substance on either side of it.

Question 7

community

Answer 7

A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other

Question 8

consumer

Answer 8

A consumer is an organism that must obtain its energy by consuming the cells of other organisms.

Question 9

decomposer

Answer 9

An organism that breaks down organic matter.

Question 10

Four properties of DNA

Answer 10

1) DNA can be copied in its entirety, so that copies may be transmitted to offspring. 2) DNA can copy small portions of itself in order to give instructions to other parts of the cell. 3) The information in DNA is stored in chemical “language” composed of an alphabet of four compounds. We represent these compounds by four letters of the English alphabet. The chemical language is read and understood by other parts of the cell. 4) The language of DNA is the same for all living species on earth. deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Question 11

ecosystem

Answer 11

A community of organisms that live in a particular region that interacts with the surrounding non-living environment.

Question 12

energy

Answer 12

One of the three fundamental ingredients of the universe that allows processes to happen.

Question 13

homeostasis

Answer 13

A dynamic, continuous stimulus/response pattern that allows organisms to stay within a variety of life-sustaining parameters.

Question 14

hypothesis

Answer 14

A testable, informed prediction, based on a theory, of what will happen under certain circumstances.

Question 15

Levels of orginization

Answer 15

Atom, Simple molecule, Biomolecule, Organelle, Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere

Question 16

matter

Answer 16

Anything that has mass and takes up space

Question 17

metabolism

Answer 17

The sum total of all the chemical reactions in a cell or organism.

Question 18

molecule

Answer 18

A combination of atoms that are chemically bonded to create an entity with unique properties.

Question 19

organ

Answer 19

A functional unit in an organism that carries out a particular role, made of cells that coordinate its functions.

Question 20

organelle

Answer 20

A small part of the cell that carries out a specific function.

Question 21

organism

Answer 21

An individual living thing, composed of one or more cells.

Question 22

population

Answer 22

A single species living in a particular geographical region at the same time.

Question 23

producers

Answer 23

Organisms that are able to store energy within molecules using energy from the sun through the process of photosynthesis.

Question 24

stimulus

Answer 24

Any event that provokes a reaction from an organism.

Question 25

theory

Answer 25

The best model or explanation we have at present for a body of facts, providing the means for producing new hypotheses.

Question 26

tissue

Answer 26

A group of cells of the same type that work together to perform a specific function.