Lecture 1: Organisms & Their Environment Flashcards
Biosphere
all life and environments that are supported on earth
Biome
major ecosystem types, usually characterized by climate and vegetation type
Ecosystem
All the biotic and abiotic components of the environment in a given area at a given time
Abiotic
Non-living components of an ecosystem
Biotic
Living components of an ecosystem
Community
all of the living organisms of all the different species that interact within a given area
Population
a collection of individuals from the same species that interact within a given area
Species
a group of biotic individuals that share the same characteristics and are compatible to interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring
Organism
An individual living thing
Give 2 examples of both abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems
abiotic: temperature and light
biotic: plants and animals
What are 4 significant similarities between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Both E and P cells have…
- plasma membrane
- cytoplasm
- DNA
- ribosomes
What are the 7 properties that characterize life?
- Reproduction
- Growth & development
- adaptation
- metabolism (energy conversion)
- order and organization
- response to stimulus from the environment
- homeostasis (maintaining an internal environment that differs from the external environment)
What are 7 abiotic factors that impact ecosystems?
- light availability
- moisture
- gases (O2, CO2)
- temperature
- salinity
- pH
- Soil minerals and available nutrients
What are 4 biotic components that affect ecosystems and vegetation types?
organism interaction through…
- predator/prey relationships
- mutualist relationships
- competition
- pathogens
What is the basic unit of structure for the function and organization of life?
the cell
What are significant differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Eukaryotic cells…
- have a nucleus (that contains the DNA)
- membrane-enclosed organelles
- can be found within unicellular, colonial, or multicellular organisms
Whereas, Prokaryotic cells…
- Do not have a nucleus, and therefore the DNA is not membrane-bound, but held within the cytoplasm
- Do not have membrane-enclosed organelles
- can only be found in unicellular organisms
What are unicellular organisms?
An organism made up of one cell that must perform all the functions of life
What are colonial organisms?
Organisms made up of a group of identical cells that can all survive independently because they can each perform all of the functions necessary for survival.
ex. N-fixing cells
photosynthetic cells in cyanobacteria
Describe cytoplasm and its function
All of the organelles AND the cytosol (the jelly like fluid that suspends the organelles) inside the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells
Describe cell (plasma) membrane and its function
a membrane that encloses a cell and regulates what enters and exits the cell.
describe cell wall and its function
The cell wall surrounds the plasma membrane of all plant cells, prokaryotic cells, fungi (eukaryotic), and protist (algae) cells.
The cell wall provides additional support for the structure of the cell
describe nucleus and its function
A double membrane bound organelle that contains the DNA and directs protein synthesis
describe ribosomes and their function
Not organelles, but complex proteins and are involved in synthesizing proteins. They can be free in the cytosol or bound to the rough ER or nuclear envelope
describe Golgi apparatus and its function
Series of flattened membranous sacs (looks like stacked pitas) which receive, modify, and distributes the proteins made in the ER to other locations.
Part of a system of organelles called the endomembrane.
describe lysosome and its function. Are these found in animal or plant cells?
Breaks down excess or harmful molecules to remove waste, and breaks down food particles into smaller molecules
ONLY IN ANIMAL CELLS
describe mitochondria and its function
Looks like a kidney
double membrane bound organelle that conducts CELLULAR RESPIRATION to make ATP
describe chloroplast and its function. Is this found in plant or animal cells?
Double membrane bound organelle that conducts PHOTOSYNTHESIS within plant cells
describe central vacuole and its function. Plant cells or animal cells?
Breaks down wastes in plant cells but also fills with water and expands to help in the growth and structure of older plants
What 3 things do plant cells have that animal cells don’t?
- chloroplast
- central vacuole
- cell walls
What 3 things do animal cells have that plant cells do not?
- lysosome
- flagella
- centrioles
Define cellular respiration
A metabolic reaction carried out by the mitochondria in which organic molecules (like sugars and fats) are oxidized and then broken down to synthesize the ATP that provides energy for cells to perform their functions.
Define photosynthesis
A reaction that is carried out by the chloroplast organelle in plant cells in which energy from the sun’s light is converted into chemical energy in the form of food for plants (glucose/sugars). light + CO2 + water –> sugars + O2
What are the differences between unicellular, colonial, and multicellular organisms?
Unicellular organisms are an organism made of one cell which performs all the functions of life for the organism to survive.
Whereas colonial organisms are made of a group of identical cells that can live independently, as they can each perform all of the functions for life, but instead colonize together to create a single organism.
Multicellular organisms are quite unlike unicellular organisms as they are made up of more than one cell, but also differ from colonial organisms because they are made of a group of distinct cells, rather than identical cells. In multicellular organisms, each cell performs a specialized function for survival and the labour is divided between them all.
What is a multicellular organism?
An organism that is made up of a group of different cells that each perform distinct functions
