Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life Flashcards
Evolution is . . . ?
Evolution is the process of change that has shaped life from its origin on Earth to today’s diversity, as its organizing principle.
What are the ten levels (in order) in the biological hierarchy?
- Biosphere
- Ecosystem
- Community
- Population
- Organism
- Organs and Organ Systems
- Tissues
- Cells
- Organelles
- Molecules
What is the biosphere?
The biosphere consists of all life on Earth and all the places where life exists.
Ex.) land, bodies of water, atmosphere, sediment
- Atmosphere
- Hydrosphere
- Lithosphere
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem consists of all living and nonliving things in a specific area.
Ex.) Forests, coral reefs . .
What is a community?
A community consists of organisms inhabiting an ecosystem - the preceding biological level. It has much diversity.
What is a population?
A population refers to all individuals of a species living in a specific area.
What is an organism?
An organism is an individual living thing
What are organs and organ systems?
Organs are body parts, and organ systems are teams of organs working together to perform specific functions.
Ex.) Organs: skin, heart, stomach
Ex.) Organ Systems: digestive system, endocrine system
What are tissues?
Tissues consists of groups of cells that work together.
Ex.) Muscle tissue
What is a cell?
A cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function.
What are organelles?
Organelles are the various functional components present in cells.
Ex.) chloroplasts
What are molecules?
Molecules are chemical structures consisting of atoms.
Ex.) Chlorophyll
What is systems biology?
Systems biology studies the interactions of the parts of a system and models the system’s dynamic behavior.
The interactions between organisms and the enviornment usually result in what?
The cycling of chemical nutrients between organisms and the enviornment.
Producers transform light energy to what?
Chemical energy in sugar, which powers the cellular activites in plants - meaning growth.
