Biology Chapter 1 Flashcards
adaptation
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.
atom
Basic unit of matter. There are 118 different types of atoms
biomolecules
A large molecule made from repeating arrays of small molecules. A building block for cells. carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids
biosphere
All living things on earth.
cell
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.
chemical gradient
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.
community
A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other
consumer
A consumer is an organism that must obtain its energy by consuming the cells of other organisms.
decomposer
An organism that breaks down organic matter.
Four properties of DNA
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)
ecosystem
A community of organisms that live in a particular region that interacts with the surrounding non-living environment.
energy
One of the three fundamental ingredients of the universe that allows processes to happen.
homeostasis
A dynamic, continuous stimulus/response pattern that allows organisms to stay within a variety of life-sustaining parameters.
hypothesis
A testable, informed prediction, based on a theory, of what will happen under certain circumstances.
Levels of orginization
Atom, Simple molecule, Biomolecule, Organelle, Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere
matter
Anything that has mass and takes up space
metabolism
The sum total of all the chemical reactions in a cell or organism.
molecule
A combination of atoms that are chemically bonded to create an entity with unique properties.
organ
A functional unit in an organism that carries out a particular role, made of cells that coordinate its functions.
organelle
A small part of the cell that carries out a specific function.
organism
An individual living thing, composed of one or more cells.
population
A single species living in a particular geographical region at the same time.
producers
Organisms that are able to store energy within molecules using energy from the sun through the process of photosynthesis.
stimulus
Any event that provokes a reaction from an organism.
theory
The best model or explanation we have at present for a body of facts, providing the means for producing new hypotheses.
tissue
A group of cells of the same type that work together to perform a specific function.
