Ch.1 Evolution and the foundations of biology Flashcards
Give an example of evolution of a species
For both beach mice and inland mice, the close color match of coats (fur) and the enviroment is vital for survival.
An organims adaption to its enviroment is a result of evolution
Evolution (define)
Is the proccess of change overtime that has resulted in the astounding array of organisms found on earth.
Evolution is the fundemental principle of biology and the core theme of this book.
Biology (definiton)
The scientific study of life.
-posing questions about the living world and seeking answers through scientific inquiry are the central activities of biology.
Scientific inquiry
How scientists ask and attempt to answer questions about the natural world.
List the five underlying themes of “The study of life”
- Organization
- Information
- Energy and Matter
- Interactions
- Evolution
Emergent Properties
The arrangement and interactions of parts as complexity increases.
A new function that is created when multiple things work together.
When things combine to make a new function, because they can not perform this function solo.
Systems biology
- The study of the systems in living things.
The exploration of a biological system by analyzing the interactions among its parts
The systems approach poses questions such as
How do networks of genes in our cells function to generate our 24-hour cycle of wakefulness and sleep?
How does increasing CO2 alter the biosphere?
Structure and Function
At each level of the biological hierarchy we find a correlation between structure and function
Analyzing a biological structure can give clues about what it does and how it works
The Cell
The cell is the smallest unit of life that can perform all the required activities
All cells share certain characteristics, such as being enclosed by a membrane
The two main forms of cells are prokaryotic and eukaryotic
What are the two main forms of cells?
What are the two major differences?
Prokaryotic- The cells of two groups of single celled Microorganisms, bacteria and archaea.
Prokaryotic cells are much smaller than Eukaryotic cells,
Eukaryotic- All other forms of life, including plants and animals are composed of Eukaryotic cells.
Eukaryotic cells contain membrane enclosed organelles but prokayotic do not.
Eukaryotic cell
contains membrane-enclosed organelles, including a DNA-containing nucleus
Some organelles, such as the chloroplast, are limited only to certain cell types, that is, those that carry out photosynthesis
Prokaryotic
lack a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles and are generally smaller than eukaryotic cells
Hierarchy of life unfolds in this order
- The Biosphere
- Ecosytems
- Communities
- Populations
- Organisms
- Organs
- Tissues
- Cells
- Organelles
- Molecules
The Biosphere
Consists of all life on earth and all the places where life exists
Ecosystems
Consists of all the living things in a particular area, along with all non-living components of the enviroment with which life interacts, such as
soil, water, atmospheric gases and light
Communities
The array of organisms inhabiting a particular ecosystem
Populations
Consists of all the individuals of a species living within the bounds of a specified area
Organisms
Individual living things
Organs
A body part that is made up of multiple tissues and has specific functions in the body.
Example,
Leaves, stems, roots and major organs of plants.
Tissues
A group of cells that work together, performing a specialized function.
Cells
is lifes fundamental unit of structure and function.
- some organisms consist of a single cell, which performs all the functions of life.
- Others are multicellular and feature a division of labor among specialized cells.
Organelles
The various functional components inside a cell.
Example, Chloraplasts exist in plants which are responsible for photosythesis
What is a Molecule
A chemical structure consisting of two or more units called atoms.
Example, within each chloroplast, millions of chlorophyll molecules are organized into systems that convert light energy to the chemical energy of food.
Chlorophyll
Is the pigment that makes a leaf green and it absorbs sunlight during photosynethesis.
- Within each chloroplast, millions of chlorophyll molecules are organized into systems that convert light energy to chemical energy for food.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)
Chromosomes contain most of a cell’s genetic material in the form of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).
A DNA molecule holds hundreds or thousands of genes, each a stretch of DNA along the chromosome