Ch 1: The Science of Life Flashcards
Seven Characteristics of Life
- Cellular Organization
- Ordered Complexity
- Sensitivity
- Growth, Development, ad Reproduction
- Energy Utilization
- Homeostasis
- Evolutionary Adaptation
Hierarchical Organization of Living Systems
- The cellular level - atoms > molecules > organelles > cells.
- The organismal level - tissues > organs > organ systems.
- The populational level - population > species > biological community.
- The ecosystem level - (population + environment).
- The biosphere - entire planet (biosphere).
Homeostasis
The maintenance of a relatively stable internal physiological environment in an organism; usually involves some form of feedback self-regulation.
Atoms
The smallest unit of an element that contains all the characteristics of that element. Atoms are the building blocks of matter.
Molecules
Clusters of atoms
Organelles
Complex biological molecules that are assembled into tiny structures within a cell.
Cells
Basic unit of life. Holds organelles within a membrane bounded wall.
Tissues
A group of similar cells organized into a structural and functional unit.
Organs
A body structure composed of several different tissues grouped in a structural and functional unit.
Organ systems
Group of organs that comprise a whole system.
Population
Any group of individuals, usually of a single species, occupying a given area at the same time.
Deductive reasoning
The logical application of general principles to predict a specific result. In science, deductive reasoning is used to test the validity of general ideas.
Inductive reasoning
The logical application of specific observations to make a generalization. In science, inductive reasoning is used to formulate testable hypotheses.
Hypothesis
a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation
Experiment
A test of one or more hypotheses. Hypotheses make contrasting predictions that can be tested experimentally in control and test experiments where a single variable is altered.
Variables
variables
variable
A factor that influences a process, outcome, or observation. In experiments, scientists attempt to isolate variables to test hypotheses.
Test experiment
One variable is altered in a known way to test a particular hypothesis.
Control experiment
One variable is left unaltered.
Reductionism
A philosophical approach to understand complex systems by reducing it to working parts.
Theory (two meanings)
A proposed explanation for some natural phenomenon, often based on some general principle.
The body of interconnected concepts, supported by scientific reasoning and experimental evidence, that explains the facts in some area of study.
Evolution
Genetic change in a population of organisms; in general, evolution leads to progressive change from simple to complex.
Artificial selection
A way that breeders change how domesticated animals evolve by selecting certain characteristics to breed.
Natural selection
A way that nature/environment causes certain favorable traits to pass on to the next generation that ensures survivability.
Homologous
(1) Refers to similar structures that have the same evolutionary origin. (2) Refers to a pair of the same kind of chromosome in a diploid cell.
analogous
Structures that are similar in function but different in evolutionary origin, such as the wing of a bat and the wing of a butterfly.
Phylogenetic tree
A pattern of descent generated by analysis of similarities and differences among organisms. Modern gene-sequencing techniques have produced phylogenetic trees showing the evolutionary history of individual genes.
Species
A king of organism; species are designated by binomial names written in italics.
Biological community
All the populations of different species living together in one place; for example, all populations that inhabit a mountain meadow.
Ecosystem
A major interacting system that includes organisms and their nonliving environment.
Emergent properties
Novel properties arising from the way in which components interact. Emergent properties often cannot be deduced solely from knowledge of the individual components.
Cell theory
Theory that states all living things are composed of cells.
DNA(Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
The genetic material of all organisms; composed of two complementary chains of nucleotide wound in a double helix.
