Chapter 1 Flashcards
Cell
The simplest collection of matter that can live; the fundamental structural and functional unit of all organisms
Plasma Membrane
A selective barrier surrounding every cell that regulates the passage of materials into and out of cell
DNA
The genetic material that carries the hereditary information of an organism
Ribosomes
Cellular structure responsible to protein synthesis
ATP
The primary molecule used by cells to transfer and store energy
Surface Area to Volume Ratio
The relationship between a cells outer surface area and its internal volume. A higher ratio is generally more favorable for efficient exchange with the environment
Cell theory
A fundamental concept in biology stating that all living things are composed of cells, cells are the basic unit of structure and function in living things, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells
Spontaneous Generation
The outdated hypothesis that living organisms could arise directly from nonliving matter
Prokaryotic cell
A type of cell lacking a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Bacteria and Archeae are composed of Prokaryotic cells
Nucleoid
A region in a prokaryotic cell where DNA is concentrated but is not enclosed with a membrane
Eukaryotic cell
A type of cell with a nucleus (membrane-enclosed compartments containing DNA) and other membrane-bound organelles. Includes protists, fungi, plants, and animals
Organelles
Membrane-bound compartments within eukaryotic cells that have specialized functions
Five kingdom system
An older system of biological classification that grouped organisms into five kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia
Morphological similarities
similarities in the physical form or structure of organisms
Convergent evolution
The independent evolution of similar features in species of different lineages
Three domain system
The current system of biological classification that divides all cellular life into three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and eukarya, based on genetic relationships
Genetic relationship
The degree to which organisms are related based on the similarities of their DNA sequences =, indicating their shared evolutionary history and common ancestors
