General Biology Study Guide: LIFE Flashcards
SPECIES
A group of actually or potentially interpreting natural populations which are reproductively isolated from eachother such groups.
ATOM
A basic unit of matter that can not be broken down by normal chemical reactions.
MOLECULE
A chemical structure of at least 2 atoms held together by a chemical bond.
BIOMOLECULE
Large molecules thar are typically formed by combining smaller units called monomers.
ORGAN
Collections of tissues grouped together based on a common function.
TISSUE
Groups of similar cells carrying out the same function.
POPULATION
All the individuals of a species living within a specific area.
ECOSYSTEM
Consists of all the living things in a particular area together with the abiotic, or non-living, parts of the environment such as nitrogen or water in soil.
COMMUNITY
The set of populations inhabiting a particular area.
BIOSPHERE
The collection of all ecosystems, and it represents the zones of life on earth.
ORGAN SYSTEM
A higher level of organization that consists of functionality related organs.
HOMEOSTASIS
Refers to the relatively stable internal environment required to maintain life.
HOW DO WE CATEGORIZE LIFE?
☆ By looking at characteristics.
☆ Evolutionary relationships (how closely related organisms are).
To tell the difference between a virus and bacteria to diagnose a patient with a sore throat.
WHY CATEGORIZE LIFE?
☆ To determine the difference between bacteria and viruses to diagnose a patient with a sore throat.
☆ Conservation and habitat presentation.
WHAT ARE THE THREE DOMAINS OF LIFE?
☆ Bacteria
☆ Archaea
☆ Eukarya
IN THE LEVELS OF TAXANOMIC HEIRARCHY, WHICH GROUPING OF ORGANISMS IS BROADER?
At the bottom of the levels it’s broader with less characteristics
IN THE LEVELS OF TAXANOMIC HEIRARCHY which grouping of organisms is more specific?
At the top they have many more characteristics in common.
HUMANS ARE IN WHICH DOMAIN?
Eukarya
ON A PHYLOGENIC TREE, WHAT IS A NODE AND WHAT IS A BRANCH?
☆ A node is where 2 species seperate, and there is a common ancestor.
☆ A branch seperates the 3 domains of life
WHAT IS LIFE? WHAT IS NOT LIFE?
Anything with a cell
Anything without a cell like a virus.
DESCRIBE THE 9 CHARACTERISTICS THAT IDENTIFY LIVING SYSTEMS
☆ Order
☆ sensitivity or
response to
stimuli.
☆ Reproduction
☆ Evolutionary
adaptation
☆ Growth &
development
☆ Homeostasis
☆ Regulations
☆ Energy
processing
☆ Evolution by
natural selection
WHY ARE VIRUSES NOT CONSIDERED LIFE?
They do not possess all the requirements to qualify as life. They cannot reproduce on their own so they need a host.
They are not cells and therefore do not get classified as alive.
How do we categorize life?
By looking at characteristics
Evolutionary relationships, how closely related organsims are.
WHY IS IT DIFFICULT TO DEFINE LIFE?
Because we have identified what the 9 properties of life are.
