Ch. 1 Flashcards
Biology
The scientific study of life.
What are the 7 components of life?
1.) Order 2.) Response to Environment 3.) Regulation 4.) Energy processing/Acquisition 5.) Reproduction 6.) Growth & Development 7.) Evolutionary Adaptation
Organelle
Smaller than a cell and can do functions within itself.
Levels of Biological Organization
Atoms make Molecules. Molecules make Organelles. Organelles make Cells. Cells make up Tissues. Tissues make up Organs. Organs make Organ Systems. Organ Systems make Organisms. Organisms make up Population. Populations make up Communities. Communities & non-living things make up Ecosystems. All Ecosystems make up the Biosphere.
Biotic
Living
Abiotic
Not living
Prefix (A-)
Means w/out
Reductionism
An approach which reduces complex systems into simpler components that are more manageable to study.
Emergent properties
Result from the arrangement & interaction of parts w/in a system. They are not unique to life. They characterize non biological entities too.
Ex. A functioning bike emerges only when all of the necessary parts connect in the correct way.
Systems biology
The exploration of a biological system by analyzing the interactions among its parts. Constructs models for the dynamic behavior of whole biological system.
Ex. We can ask how a drug that lowers blood pressure affects the functioning or organs throughout the human body. At a larger scale, how does a gradual increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide alter ecosystems & the entire biosphere? Systems biology can be used to study life at all levels.
Eukaryotic cell
A type of cell w/a membrane enclosed nucleus & membrane enclosed organelles. Organisms w/eukaryotic cells (protists, plants, fungi, and animals) are called eukaryotes.
Prokaryotic cell
A type of cell lacking a membrane enclosed nucleus & membrane enclosed organelles. Organisms w/prokaryotic cells (bacteria & archaea) are called prokaryotes.
DNA(deoxyribonucleic acid)
The genetic material inside chromosomes. A nucleus acid molecule made up of 2 long chains (strands) arranged in a double helix. Each chain is made up of chemical building blocks (nucleotides). DNA nucleotide structure: A C | | T G
Gene
A unit of hereditary that’s transferred from a parent to offspring & is held to determine some characteristics of offspring.
RNA(ribonucleic acid)
A type of nucleic acid. Usually single stranded; functions in protein synthesis, in gene regulation, & as the genome of some viruses.
RNA nucleotide structure:
A C
| |
U G
Gene expression
The process by which information encoded in DNA directs the synthesis of proteins or, in some cases, RNAs that are not translated into proteins & instead function as RNAs.
Genome
The complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.
Genomics
The systematical study of while sets of genes (or other DNA) & their interactions w/in a species as well as genome comparisons between species.
Proteomics
The systematic study of sets of proteins & their properties, including their abundance, chemical modifications, & interactions.
Proteome
The entire set of proteins expressed by a given cell or group of cells.
Bioinformatics
The use of computer all tools, to store, organize & analyze the huge volume of data that results from hight-through put methods.
High through put technology
Tools that can analyze many biological samples very fast.
Interdisciplinary research teams
Groups of diverse specialists (computer scientists, mathematicians, engineers, etc.) who aim to learn how activities of all proteins & non translated RNAs encoded by DNA are coordinated in cells & whole organisms.
Producer
Organisms that produce food through photosynthesis, chemosynthesis, etc.