Chapter 1 Test Flashcards
What does biology mean?
The study of life
Derived from Greek: bios meaning life, logos meaning to study
Why study biology? (4)
Biotechnological advances
Medical advances
Addressing needs of a growing population
Challenges of decreasing rate of biodiversity
What does biology do? (3)
Studies characteristics and behaviors of organisms
Studies the origin and evolution of organisms
Studies the interactions of organisms and their environment
What are the traits of living things?
ORDERHEG
Order Reaction to stimuli Development Energy utilization Reproduction Homeostasis Evolutionary adaptation Growth
What are the levels of organization?
Biosphere Ecosystem Community Population Organism Groups of cells Cells Molecules
Define biodiversity
The variety of different organisms in an ecosystem, the number of individuals within each species and the variety of habitats within the ecosystem
Define species
All organisms capable of breeding freely among each other under natural conditions
Define hybridization
The cross breeding between two different species
How are organisms defined?
Defined by their species however those who reproduce asexually aren’t considered part of species therefor are defined by morphology
Define morphology
The study of physical appearance and characteristics of an organism
Define evolutionary change
A change that occurs in a species over a long period of time
Define genetic diversity
The genetic variability of each individual within the same species
Determined by the biological parents and the genetic info they pass down
Define heterotroph
An organism that consumes other living and dead organisms to gain nutrients
Define autotroph
An organism that can produce its own nutrients using natural resources
Define species diversity
Measure of diversity within ecosystems, taking into account the variety of species present and the number of individuals within each species
Define structural diversity
The variety of physical shapes and sizes in an ecosystem
Aka the variety of different habitats within an ecosystem
What is happening to the diversity of life?
What would this mean for humans?
Diversity is decreasing, species are going extinct (3 per hour as of 2017)
Loss of food supply
Loss of natural medicines
Cause disruptions in the biogeochemical cycle
Economic impact on tourism and forestry industries