Chapter 1 Vocabulary Flashcards
1
Q
Energy
A
The capacity to do work
2
Q
Photosynthesis
A
A process that transforms solar energy into chemical energy of organic nutrient molecules.
3
Q
Homeostasis
A
- The state of biological balance that is necessary for organisms to live.
- Factors like temperature, moisture level, acidity, etc. must remain within the organism’s tolerance range.
- If one of these factors becomes unbalanced, the organism’s nervous system can respond (unconsciously) in order to maintain balance until the organism becomes aware of it and responds appropriately in order to regain normalcy.
4
Q
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
A
- The genetic code that is shared by all living things.
- Make up genes, which contain specific information for the organism’s metabolism and order.
- Resembles a spiral staircase with millions of steps.
- Passed on when reproduction occurs, and sometimes mutate.
5
Q
Adaption
A
Modifications made by organisms so hat they are better able to survive in specific environments.
6
Q
Evolution
A
- A series of many adaptions made overtime by a population of organisms.
- Constantly reshapes a species so that it is able to persist despite a changing environment.
7
Q
Taxa & Taxonomy
A
- Categories used to classify organisms based on species, genus, family, order,class, phylum, kingdom, and domain.
- Taxonomy is the the discipline of identifying organisms according to certain rules
8
Q
Species
A
A group of interbreeding individuals.
9
Q
Species placed within one genus share…
A
Share many specific characteristics and are the most closely related.
10
Q
Species placed within the same kingdom share…
A
Share only general characteristics.
Ex.
Species in the plant kingdom can be very different, evident when we compare grasses and trees.
11
Q
Protists
A
- algae, protozoans, slime molds, and water molds
- complex single cell
- absorb, photosynthesize, or ingest food.
12
Q
Fungi
A
- molds, mushrooms, yeasts, and ringworms
- mostly multicellular filaments with specialized, complex cells
- absorb food
13
Q
Plants
A
- certain algae, mosses, ferns, conifers, and flowering plants
- multicellular, usually with specialized tissues that contain complex cells
- photosynthesize foods
14
Q
Animals
A
- sponges, worms, insects, fishes, frogs, turtles, birds, and mammals
- multicellular with specialized tissues containing complex cells
- ingest food
15
Q
Scientific name
A
- A two part name, the first part consisting of the genus, the second part consisting of the specific epithet of the organism within the genus.
- based off of Latin, a dead language.
