Exam One Flashcards
What is biology?
The study of life
Define Molecule
The chemical components of cells
Define Cell
The smallest unit of life
Define Tissue
A group of similar cells that perform the same function
Define Organ
A structure with two or more tissues working together to perform a function
Define Organ Systems
At least two organs working together to perform a function
Define Individual
A single organism
Define Population
All individuals of the same species in an area
Define Community
All the species in an ecosystem that can interact
Define Ecosystem
A community and its physical environment
Define Biosphere
The part of the earth that supports life
Characteristics of Life (7)
- Living things contain nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids
- Living things are composed of cells
- Living things grow and reproduce
- Living things use energy and raw materials (metabolism)
- Living things respond to their environment
- Living things maintain homeostasis
- Populations of living things evolve and have adaptive traits (natural selection)
Define Homeostasis
Regulation of the body
Define Metabolism
The body breaking down food
Define Nucleic Acids
DNA and RNA
Define Proteins
Enzymes
Define Carbohydrates
Sugars
Define Lipids
Fats
Define Doman Bacteria
Unicellular prokaryotic organism
Define Domain Archaea
Unicellular prokaryotic organism that lives in extreme conditions
Define Domain Eukarya
Eukaryotic cells that contain a membrane-bound nucleus and internal compartments
Protists
Protozoans, algae, diatoms
Fungi
Molds, mushrooms
Plants
Mosses, ferns, seed plants
Animals
Invertebrates and vertebrates
What are the 3 Domains?
Domain Bacteria
Domain Archaea
Domain Eukarya
What are the 6 kingdoms in the 3 domains?
Bacteria Archaea Eukarya: -Protists -Fungi -Plants -Animals
Define Taxonomy
The science of naming and classifying species
When was taxonomy devised?
18th century
Who devised taxonomy?
Carolus Linnaeus
Name the grouping of species from board to specific
Name (EX)
Domain (eukarya) Kingdom (animals) Phylum (chordates) Subphylum (vertebrates) Class (mammals) Order (primates) Family (Hominidae) Genus (homo) Species (modern human)
Define Binomial Nomenclature
Species names with the First part (genus) and Second part (species)
Define the Scientific Method
A logical approach to gathering information and reaching conclusions
What are the steps of the scientific method in order?
- observation
- hypothesis
- prediction
- experiment
- results
- conclusion
Define Control Group
used as a comparison or standard; all variables are kept constant
Define Experimental Group
Group in which one variable is altered to understand the effects
Define Independent Variable
The value being manipulated; the factor whose effect the experiment is designed to reveal
Define Qualitative
Characteristics such as smell or color
Define Quantitative
Can be measured such as cm
Define population
All members of a species living in the same area
Define ecology
The study of interactions between organisms and the environment
Population Distribution:
Nearly Uniform
Competition for limited resources can produce this distribution
Ex) Penguins
Population Distribution:
Clumped
Clumped and move together to follow the resources
Ex) Fish
Population Distribution:
Random
Move on their own and there are plenty of resources
Ex) Spider
Survivorship Curves:
Type 1
Upside down J-shape
Morality the highest very late in life
Ex) Elephant (bigger mammals)
Survivorship Curves:
Type 2
Diagonal line
Morality does not vary with age
Ex) Bird (smaller mammals)
Survivorship Curves:
Type 3
Backwards J-shape
Mortality is highest early in life
Ex) Starfish (smaller with lots of offspring)
Reproductive Strategies:
Re-selection
Max offpsring
Little parental care
Small body
Type 3 curve
Reproductive Strategies:
K-selection
Improved offspring quality
larger bodies with longer life
high parental care
Type 1 curve
Population Growth:
Exponential Growth
J-shaped
unrestricted growth at a constant rate
plenty of resources and adequate waste removal
Population Growth:
Logistic Growth
S-shaped curve
Growth slows as population approaches carrying capacity and eventually levels off
Define carrying capacity
Maximum number of individuals a populations environment can support indefinitely
What are some determining factors of carrying capacity?
Availability of resources
Waste Removal
Predation Pressure
Density Dependent Factors
Events that have a greater impact:
- Predation, parasitism, disease
- Competition for resources
Density Independent Factors
events that cause death not related to population density:
-Natural diasters
What are trends that lead to an increase in the human population?
- Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides for crops
- Increased understanding of diseases and medicines
- Improved nutrition
- Decline in death rates without a decline in birth rates
Define Habitat
Environment in which a species lives
Define Biological Community
All species living in the same habitat and interacting
Define Ecological Niche
Role and position a species has in its environment
Define Symbiosis
Two species with a prolonged close association that benefits at least one of them
Define Commensalism
+ 0
Define Mutualism
+ +
Define Parasitism
+ –
Define Interactions
Niche of two different species overlap
Define Competitive Exclusion
Whenever two species require the same resource to live or reproduce
The stronger competitive will drive the other to extinction
Define Resource Partitioning
Species adapt to use a shared limited resource in a way that minimizes competition
Define Predator-Prey
Predator captures and kills prey
Define Herbivory
attacks plants
Define Parasites
Attack animals
Define Pathogens
Attack immune system
What are five defenses to predators?
- Camouflage
- Mimicry
- Toxic
- Spines and Thorns
- Warning Coloration
Are ecosystems static (not changing)?
No, they are dynamic
Define ecological succession
existing communities replace others over time
Define Pioneer Species
First to arrive in habitats
Define Primary Succession
starting from scratch no soil from area with NO preexisting communities
Define Secondary Succession
Has preexisting soil
Has had preexisting communities
Define Ecosystem
An array of organisms and they’re physical environment
Define Food Chains
Energy transfers through trophic levels
Define Primary Producers
Plants that take energy through photosynthesis
Define Consumers
Use energy stored by producers
Eat others
Define Decomposers and Detriticore
release inorganic material that can be used by producers
Define primary consumers
herbivores
Define secondary consumer
feed on primary consumers
Define Tertiary consumer
feed on secondary consumers
Define Biological Magnification
nondegradable chemicals become more concentrated in organisms through succession of trophic levels
How much water does the ocean hold?
95% of the earth’s water
What are some human Disruptions in the water cycles?
- deforestation reduces transpiration
- runoff patterns altered in cities
- we use more fresh water than is replenished
How much water is used for agriculture?
2/3 freshwater
