Chapter 1- Themes in the Study of Life Flashcards
What is evolution?
The process of changing that has transformed life on earth.
What is biology?
The scientific study of life.
An organism’s adaptations to its environment are the result of WHAT?
EVOLUTION
What are EMERGENT PROPERTIES?
Results from the arrangement and interaction of parts within a system.
What is REDUCTIONISM?
The reduction of complex systems to simpler components that are more manageable to study.
What is a combination of components that function together?
A SYSTEM
What constructs models for the dynamic behavior of whole biological systems?
SYSTEMS BIOLOGY
What is the LOWEST level of organization that can preform all activities required for life?
The CELL
All CELLS are enclosed by a WHAT?
Membrane
All CELLS use WHAT as their genetic information?
DNA
What is a EUKARYOTIC cell?
A cell that has MEMBRANE-ENCLOSED ORGANELLES, the largest of which is usually the nucleus.
What type of cell DOES NOT contain a nucleus or other membrane-enclosed organelles.
Prokaryotic cell
Chromosomes contain most of a cell’s genetic material in the form of WHAT?
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
DNA is the substance of what?
Genes
What are genes?
The unit of inheritance that transmits information from parent to offspring.
The basis of all reproduction, growth, and repair of multicellular organisms comes from what?
The ability of cells to divide
Each DNA molecule is made up of two long chains arranged in a double helix. Each link of a chain is one of four kinds of chemical building blocks called WHAT?
Nucleotides and their nicknames are A, G, C, and T
What is an organism’s GENOME?
An entire set of genetic instructions.
Name the three domains of life and what type of organisms they are composed of.
- Bacteria-composed of prokaryotes
- Archaea- composed of prokaryotes
- Eukarya- composed of eukaryotic organisms
What is the universal genetic language common to all organisms?
DNA
