Characteristics of Life Flashcards
Cell
smallest unit of life
Organism
any living thing that has all the characteristics of life
Homeostasis
process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment
Photosynthesis
plants use the sun’s energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into sugars(glucose)
Cellular Respiration
process that releases energy by breaking down glucose and other food molecules in the presence of oxygen.
Passive transport
the movement of molecules across cell membranes without using any energy.
Active Transport
the movement of materials through a cell membrane using energy.
Diffusion
the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
Osmosis
diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane.
Endocytosis
the process during which a cell takes in a substance by surrounding it with the cell membrane.
Exocytosis
process during which a cell’s vesicles release their contents outside the cell.
What are the three parts of the cell theory?
- All living things are composed of cells.
- Cells are the basic unit of life.
- New cells come from preexisting cells.
What are the characteristics of Prokaryotes?
Mostly tiny, single-celled organisms. (Bacteria)
No nucleus genetic material in cytoplasm
What are the characteristics in Eukaryotes?
Single-celled/multicellular organisms. (Animal or Plant)
Nucleus, genetic material in the nucleus.
List the 4 macromolecules. Give their monomer and function.
- Carbohydrate- Monomer: Monosacharides
Function: Energy Storage, Structural Support, communication - Lipid- Monomer: Glycerol + Fatty Acids
Function: Energy Storage, Protective membrane, communication - Protein- Monomer: Amino Acids
Function: Communication, Transport, Chemical Breakdown of substances, Structural Support - Nucleic Acid- Monomer: nucleotides
Function: contains genetic information.
List and Explain the characteristics of life.
- Cellular Organization- Made up of cells, unicellular and multicellular organisms.
- Reproduce- reproduction is the process of producing new organisms of the same type. (Asexual and Sexual reproduction)
- Obtain & Use Energy/Metabolism- need energy to grow, develop, repair damage, and reproduce. (Photosynthesis & Cellular respiration)
- Maintain Homeostasis- stable state of conditions in the body that are necessary for life.
- Pass Along Hereditary Traits- organisms have DNA, which carry genetic information.
- Respond to their environment- organisms react to stimuli
- Grow and Develop- getting bigger in size. Development is to change in physical form or physiological make-up of an organism.
- Evolve- adaptation is the process that enables organisms to become better suited to their environment. Species obtain adaptations through evolution over great periods of time.
List the levels of organization in an organism, starting with atom.
Atom, molecule, organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism.
Cell membrane
Protection, support, homeostasis, semi-permeable
Nucleus
Controls cell activities, contains DNA
Chloroplasts
Photosynthesis
Mitochondria
Breaks down sugar (glucose) molecules to release usable energy (ATP)
Lysosomes
Breaks down larger food molecules into smaller ones.
Digest old cell parts
Cell Wall
Provides support and protection for the cell
Ribosomes
produces proteins; smallest organelle
