Chapters 1-3 Flashcards
Biology
the scientific study of life
Properties of life
- order
- reproduction
- growth and development
- energy processing
- regulation
- response to the environment
- evolutionary adaptation.
Cell
structural and functional unit of life
Taxonomists
name species and classify them into broader groups.
Domain groups
Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
Bacteria and Archaea domains
Contain organisms with simple cells
Domain Eukarya
various protists and the kingdoms Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia
Emergent properties
result from the specific arrangement and interactions among component parts.
Structural levels of biology
Biosphere -> ecosystem -> community -> population -> organism -> organs and organ system -> tissue -> cell -> organelle -> molecule
Science
is a way of knowing—an approach to understanding the natural world.
Scientific approach
involves observations, hypotheses, predictions, tests of hypotheses via experiments or additional observations, and analysis of data.
Scientific theory
is broad in scope and supported by a large body of evidence.
Independent variable
The factor that is manipulated in experiment
Dependent variable
The measure used to judge the outcome of the experiment
Controlled experiment
compares an experimental group with a control group.
Endeavor of science
influenced by three spheres:
- exploration and discovery
- analysis and feedback from the scientific community
- societal benefits and outcomes.
Goal of technology
apply scientific knowledge for some specific purpose.
Goal of science
understand natural phenomena.
Natural selection
Unequal reproductive success leads to evolution of adaptations in populations
Artificial selection
Selective breeding of plants and animals.
DNA functions
responsible for heredity and for programming the activities of a cell by providing the blueprint for proteins.
Energy flows…
through an ecosystem in one direction
- entering as sunlight
- converted to chemical energy by producers
- passed on to consumers
- exiting as heat.
What are ecosystems characterized by?
the cycling of matter
- from the atmosphere and soil,
- through producers, consumers, and decomposers,
- then back to the environment.
Systems biology
Where scientists attempt to model the behavior of biological systems by analyzing the interactions among their parts
Mitosis
Cell division that results in two daughter cells that have the same number of chromosomes.
Apotosis
When cells kill themselves to prevent over mitotic division
Data
Recorded observations
Qualitative Data
Recorded descriptions
Quantitative data
Frequency and duration of specific behaviors. Frequently numerical and measurements.
Hypothesis
Proposed explanation for a set of observations, and it leads to predictions that it can be tested by making additional observations or by performing experiments
Experiment
A scientific test
Evolution
Scientific explanation for unity and diversity.
How might a chemical compound in the air harm coral reefs?
When carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in water, it reacts with water to form an acid, which then makes the water more acidic.
How many elements are essential for human life?
- Four make up 96% of weight of most living organismsm.
Compound
substance consisting of two or more different elements in a fixed ratio.
Why are some trace elements required?
to prevent disease. Examples: iodine, fluoride
Atom
the smallest unit of matter that still retains the properties of an element.
Mass number
the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Atomic mass approximately equal to this.
Isotopes
Element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Why are radioactive isotopes helpful?
Useful as tracers for monitoring the fate of atoms in living organisms.
Where are electrons located?
in different electron shells, each with a characteristic distance from the nucleus.
Chemical bonds
an attraction that results from an atom whose outer electron shell is not full interacts with other atoms and share, gain, or lose electrons,
Nonpolar covalent bond
electrons are shared equally.
Polar covalent bond
electrons are pulled closer to the more electronegative atom.
Ion
atom or molecule with an electrical charge resulting from gain or loss of one or more electrons.
Ionic bond
When attraction holds together two ions with opposite charges.
Hydrogen bond
The hydrogen atoms of a water molecule are attached to oxygen by polar covalent bonds. Is a polar molecule
Chemical reaction
The composition of matter is changed as bonds are broken and formed to convert reactants to products.