Chapter 1 - Themes in the Study of Life Flashcards
Animalia
The kingdom that consists of multicellular eukaryotic cells who rely on other producers/consumers for chemical energy.
Archaea
One of two prokaryotic domains, the other Bacteria.
Bacteria
One of two prokaryotic domains, the other Archaea.
Biology
The scientific study of life.
Cell
Lifes fundamental unit of structure and function.
consumer
An organism that is dependent on other organisms to gain nutrients.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid(DNA)
A double stranded, helical nucleic acid molecule capable of replicating and determining the inherited structure of a cells proteins.
Emergent Properties
New properties that emerge with each step upward in the hierarchy of life.
Eukarya
The domain that includes all eukaryotic organisms.
Eukaryotic cell
A type of cell with a membrane enclosed nucleus and membrane enclosed organelles.
Present in protists, plants, fungi and animals.
Fungi
The kingdom that includes organisms that absorb nutrients after decomposing organic material.
Organelle
One of several subcellular structures with specialized functions.
Suspended in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
Plantae
The kingdom that consists of multicellular eukaryotes that carry out photosynthesis.
Prokaryotic Cell
A type of cell lacking a membrane and enclosed nucleus and membrane enclosed organelles.
Found only in the domains Bacteria and Archaea.
Producer
An organism that is capable of turning light energy into chemical energy.
Reductionism
Reducing complex systems to simpler components that are more manageable to study.
Properties of Living Organisms
- Reproduce
- movement
- growth and development
- response to stimulus
- active metabolism/ability to process energy from one form to another
- complexity(cell based structure)
- adaptable to environment(evolution)
- contains genetic information which can be passed on
Levels of Organization(structure)
Atoms->molecules->organelles->cells->organs->organ systems->organisms
Emergent Properties
At each increasing level of organization, new properties that were not apparent at the lower level become apparent(H2O is much different than hydrogen or oxygen alone).
Reductionism
Breaking down larger systems into their component parts to understand how the larger system works.
Energy Conversion
Producers convert sunlight into chemical energy which consumers then absorb by eating the producer.
Structure and Function
closely related.
Structure determines a particular function.
Cell Theory
All living things consist of cells. All cells have DNA as genetic material and a protective cell membrane.
2 Major types of cells
Prokaryotic - simple, small structure, lack a membrane bound nucleus.
Eukaryotic - larger, true membrane bound nucleus, contain many specialized organelles.
Major Classification of Organisms
Domain Bacteria(prokaryotes)
Domain Archaea(prokaryotes)
Domain Eukarya(eukaryotes)
- Kingdoms Protista
- Kingdom Animalia
- Kingdom Plantae
- Kingdom Fungi
Evolution
A major theory of biology which helps explain how all organisms share certain qualities(unite) yet can also be very different(diversity).
DNA
The molecule of heredity of living organisms and responsible for passing on genetic traits from parents to offspring.
2 Major Processes of an Ecosystem
1 - Cycling of Nutrients - the use of minerals by plants that eventually return to the soil by decomposition.
2 - Flow of Energy - sunlight->producer->convert light to chemical energy -> consumers ingest the chemical energy to function.
Difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells
Prokaryotic - simpler/smaller/lack of a membrane bound nucleus or organelles.
Eukaryotic - complex/larger/membrane bound nucleus and organelles.
Basic function of DNA
Store/pass on the cells heritable information from cell to cell when undergoing cell division.
Passed by the gametes(sperm and egg) from parent to offspring.
