Chapter 1: Evolution & Themes of Biology Flashcards
Biology
The scientific study of life
Life
The ability to grow, consume, reproduce, have DNA, and respond to the environment
DOGRACER
Themes of life: DNA, Organization, Growth and development, Response, Adapt and evolve, Cells, Energy, Reproduce
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic Acid - encodes the biological instructions for an organism’s structure and function
Gene
Unit of inheritance encoded by linear sequence of nucleotides
Genome
Organism’s entirety of DNA instructions
Population
Localized group of organisms belonging to the same species living in the same area
Community
Populations of species living in the same area
Ecosystem
Community interactions that include abiotic environmental factors
Biome
Large scale ecosystems classified by vegetation type and combinations of plants and animals
Biosphere
The sum of all the planet’s ecosystems
Emergent property
Property that emerges as a result of interactions between components
Systems biology
Analysis of the interactions among the parts of a biological system
Growth
Increase in size of organism
Development
Differentiation of cells that become specific structures
Homeostasis
Regulation of an organism’s internal environment to maintain a steady-state
Feedback regulation
The output or product of a process regulates that same process
Negative feedback
Response reduces the initial stimulus
Positive feedback
End product speeds up its own production
Evolution
Genetic change over time in populations - living organisms are modified descendants of common ancestors
Domains of life
Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya
Domain Bacteria
Prokaryotic, no membrane bound organelles, simple, no nucleus, single celled
Domain Archaea
Unicellular prokaryotes often in extreme environments
Domain Eukarya
Unicellular and multicellular, membrane bound organelles, nucleus, larger and more complex
