Biology - The Science of Life Flashcards
5 Characteristics of Life
- Made of materials organized in a hierarchical pattern.
- Use energy and raw materials to survive.
- Respond to environment and maintain homeostasis.
- Grow, develop, and reproduce.
- Be part of a population that evolves.
Cell
Smallest unit of life
Matter
Any substance that has mass/takes up space
2 Main categories of Matter
biotic - living things
abiotic - non living things (this includes water, proteins etc)
What makes Viruses abiotic?
They lack the ability to reproduce on their own
What makes bacteria single celled biotic organisms?
They have all the 5 characteristics of living things.
Atom
Smallest unit of matter (not life)
Molecule
Two or more atoms joined by chemical bonds
Macromolecules
Biologically important molecules, when joined together they form a cell.
Cells can be divided into two main categories
Prokaryotes: Small simple cells, no organelles
Eukaryotes: Contain organelles, more specialized
Tissues
A collection of cells joined together to carry out a specific function
Organs
Collections of tissues that carryout a function
System (Organ system)
Collection of organs that carryout a function
Organism
Collection of organ systems that carry out all necessary functions to sustain life
Population
All the individuals (person, animal, or plant) living within a specific area
Community
A collection of several populations living and interacting with eachother.
Ecosystem
Collection of both living communities, and non living things that interact together. Ex. humans and climate
Biomes
Parts of the earth where ecosystems are similar, ex. desserts, tundra, rain forest, etc.
Biosphere - Highest level of living organization
All biomes on earth together, basically our planet
Viruses can contain genetic info DNA/RNA but…
They STILL are not alive, they are abiotic
How do viruses reproduce?
They infect living cells, hijack their organelles abilities to make new virus cells
What are abiotic factors?
Non living parts of an ecosystem…ex climate, wind, etc
What are biotic factors?
A living thing that affects its environment, ex algae, fish etc
What is Science?
A process that helps us to understand how the natural world works
What is a scientific experiment?
a carefully organized procedure in which the scientist intervenes in a system to change something then observes the result of the change.
Hershey & Chase Experiment
Used viruses to determine what genetic material is, and what molecules control genetic info.
What is Scientific Inquiry?
An approach to asking and answering questions and is the best approach to Science.
The nucleus in an atom is made of….
Protons and neutrons
