Introduction to Biology Flashcards
What is Biology?
BIOLOGY is the study of life. Research works done by scientists have helped in revealing the basic facts of life science and of life itself.
What is the Blueprint of Life?
One of the most basic information that the scientists discovered is that DNA is the blueprint of life
When and Where did life originally began?
- at least 3.8 billion years ago in an aquatic environment devoid of life
- The first living thing possessed genetic materials that could change.
The study of Biology unravels a story that started at least 3.8 billion years back in an aquatic environment devoid of life. The first living cells came about as a result of ancient events wherein lifeless matter – atoms and molecules – became organized into an entity capable of capturing and using energy and raw materials, able of sensing and responding to the environment and with a capacity of reproducing its own kind. Provided with genetic materials that can change, the first living thing evolved from one generation to the next, resulting to the present diversity of living animals, plants, and microorganisms.
What is the Importance of Studying Biology?
- Biology is the study of our body and its environment.
- involves studying and examining other animals.
- encompasses the study of different causative agents of diseases such as bacteria and viruses.
- reproduction and population growth
- study of plants
Biology is the study of our body and its environment. It is science of our lives. For you, studying biology will help in understanding the functions and reactions of your body. It will explain your similarity or difference with others. Also, it can explain your behavior in various situations. Thus, biology should be great importance to you because it will give you answers to the countless questions you might have about yourself.
Biology also involves studying and examining other animals. It also helps in understanding how these animals survive, respond and interact in their environment. Other life forms are important because biology uses some of them, such as mice, frogs, monkeys, as specimens to further understand our body systems.
This science of Biology also encompasses the study of different causative agents of diseases such as bacteria and viruses. By studying the life process of these organisms, their reproductive cycles, and their reaction to chemicals, you learn ways to fight and prevent the spread of diseases they cause.
Biology also helps you respond to the demands of an increasing human population, through careful studies and research, plants and animals for consumption are improved to answer the need for increased food production. Biology also studies the reproduction and population growth to assure that problems regarding overpopulation will be given answer.
Biology takes into its realm the study of plants. Plants are important as they provide us with food, oxygen, medicine, clothing, etc. Many of the building materials of our houses and furniture are from plants. Thus, Biology takes upon itself to also study how the quality and quantity of these plants can be improved.
As a result and man- made natural calamities, a great part of our environment is in danger of being destroyed. Many plants and animal species are in danger of extinction. Understanding biological processes that lead to such problems can help preserve these endangered species and their ecosystems.
What are the Unifying Themes of Life?
- Living things are made of cells and organized.
- Living things acquire materials and energy.
- Living things maintain homeostasis.
- Living things respond to their environment.
- Living things reproduce.
- Living things have a universal genetic code.
- Living things grow and develop.
- Living things evolve as a group and have adaptations.
Define the smallest unit of life.
A cell is a collection of living matter enclosed by a barrier known as the plasma membrane that separates it from its surroundings. Cells can perform all the functions we associate with life. Cells are organized and contain specialized parts that perform particular functions. Cells are very different from each other.
What are organisms that only have one cell? Also, give examples.
A single cell by itself can form an entire living organism. Organisms consisting of only a single cell are called unicellular. A bacterium or a protist like amoebas and paramecia are unicellular.
What are organisms that have thousands of cells? Also, state examples.
Multicellular organisms contain hundreds, thousands, even trillions of cells or more. Multicellular organisms may have their cells organized into tissues, organs, and systems.
Whether it is unicellular or multicellular, all structures and functions of an organism come together to form an orderly living system. Functional cells are not found in nonliving matter. Structures that contain dead cells or pieces of cells are considered dead. For example, wood or cork cut from a tree is made up largely of cell walls. The cells are no longer functional.
How do living things acquire materials and energy?
- Through Metabolism
Life depends on an enormous number of interlocking chemical reactions. These reactions make it possible for organisms to do work. Living things must use energy and consume nutrients to carry out the chemical reactions that sustain life. The sum total of the biochemical reactions occurring in an organism is called its metabolism.
What is Catabolism?
the breakdown of complex molecules in living organisms to form simpler ones, together with the release of energy; destructive metabolism.
What is Anabolism?
Anabolism is the set of metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units. These reactions require energy, known also as an endergonic process.
What is the ability to make things change?
Energy is the ability to make things change. Energy is important because it powers life processes. It provides organisms with the ability to maintain balance, grow, reproduce, and carry out other life functions.
How do organisms gain energy? In what ways?
- Photosynthesis
Some organisms obtain energy from the foods they eat or, in the case of plants and several other types of organisms, the foods that they produce. Organisms that get energy from the food they eat are called heterotrophs. Organisms that use energy from the sun to make their own food (which they then use for energy) are called autotrophs. The process is called photosynthesis.
What is an autotroph?
An autotroph is an organism that can produce its own food using light, water, carbon dioxide, or other chemicals. Because autotrophs produce their own food, they are sometimes called producers. Some types of bacteria are autotrophs. Most autotrophs use a process called photosynthesis to make their food.
What is a heterotroph?
A heterotroph is an organism that cannot produce its own food, instead taking nutrition from other sources of organic carbon, mainly plant or animal matter.
