Characteristics of Life- cells Flashcards
What are the 8 Characteristics of Life?
- Living things are composed of one or more cells
- All living things reproduce
- Capable of acquiring energy and basic materials
- Maintain homeostasis (balance)
- Capable of independent movement
- Able to move in response to changes in external environment
- Ability to adapt or evolve over time
- Ability to grow and develop over time
What is Anabolism?
The process of building up complex substances from similar substances (photosynthesis).
What is Catabolism?
The process of breaking down complex substances into similar substances to release energy (digestion).
What is Taxonomy?
The science of identifying and classifying all organisms (both living and fossilized).
How do you properly write Binomial nomenclature?
The first name is the genus (group of organisms that are closely related) and the first letter must be capitalized. The second name is the species (group of organisms that look alike, specific to the organism) and is not capitalized. Both names must be in italics or underlined.
Who is the “Father” of taxonomy?
Carl Linnaeus
What are Taxonomic levels?
Species are grouped into levels. Each level is called a taxon (taxa).
What order are the Taxonomic ranks in?
Domain>Kingdom>Phylum>Class>Order>Family>Genus>Species
What are the Domains?
Archea, Bacteria and Eukarya
What is Genus?
A group of organisms that are closely related and have similar characteristics.
What is Species?
A group of organisms that look alike and are so similar that they can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
What is Morphology?
The structure or shape of organisms (Ex. body shape, size or structure).
What is Biological Species?
Organisms that have similar characteristics and have the ability to interbreed.
What is Phylogeny?
The evolutionary history of a species (Ex. using DNA analysis to find common ancestors).
What are the Kingdoms in the Domain Eukaryota?
Protista, Plantae, Fungi, and Animalia.
What are Prokaryotes?
A smaller, simple type of cell that lacks a nucleus.
What are Eukaryotes?
A larger, complex type of cell that has a nucleus (multicellular).
What are the 3 ways scientists figure out the Shared Evolutionary History between organisms?
- Using anatomical evidence from living species to determine relationships among organisms.
- Focusing on the biochemistry of organisms and how they make proteins.
- Finding the degree of genetic similarity by comparing DNA.
What is a virus?
Very small particles (measured in nanometers) that are non-living but depend on the living.
What are the 2 main components of a virus?
- Nucleic Acid Core- genetic material consisting of either DNA or RNA.
- Capsid- protein outer coat that covers the nucleic acid core.
What are viruses that infect bacteria called?
Bacteriophages
What are viruses specific to?
Organisms and cell type (Ex. polio only attacks nerve cells).
What is host range?
The limited number of host species, tissues or cells that a virus can infect.
Why are viruses considered non-living?
Viruses are non-cellular. They are made up of geometric shapes not cells with organelles.