Life Science Flashcards
the study of living organisms and their interactions with one another and their environments
Biology
(True or False)
- So far, life is only restricted to planet Earth
True
where did complex biological molecules possibly arise from?
random associations of chemicals in the early environment
critical step for evolution of life
formation of nucleic acids
is produced from the information contained in nucleic acids
proteins
is formed when biological molecules are enclosed in membranes
cell
separates the cell from the surrounding environment
Membranes
form membrane-like films in water
Fatty acids
- organisms whose cells lack a nucleus and other organelles
- early _______ were confined to oceans, protected from UV light
Prokaryotes
- energy of sunlight is transformed into the chemical bond energy of biological molecules
- uses sunlight to turn carbon dioxide into sugars that the cell can use as energy
- O^2 was a by product of this process
Photosynthesis
the first photosynthetic organisms on Earth
Cyanobacteria
- is apparent in a hierarchy of levels from molecules to ecosystems
- is essential for cells to function in a multicellular organism, which has many levels of this
Organization
photosynthesis via chloroplast
Autotrophs
what a plant needs to perform photosynthesis
Water, Carbon Dioxide, Sunlight
Cell respiration via Mitochondria
- relies on sugars produced by ____trophs for their energy needs
- ex. animals, fungi, and most bacteria
Heterotrophs
- the study of energy flow through a living system
Bionergetics
- all chemical reactions of a cell or organism
Metabolism
a series of biochemical reactions that convert one or more substrates into a final product
Metabolic Pathways
- pathway that requires energy and synthesize larger molecules
Anabolic/Anabolism
- pathway that releases energy and breaks down large molecules into smaller molecules
Catabolic/Catabolism
- type of autotroph
- use sunlight to make food
- include plants, algae, and cyanobacteria
Photoautotrops
- type of autotroph
- capture energy from inorganic compounds to make food
- ex. thermophilic bacteria
Chemoautotrops
- a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass
Food Chain
- the bottom of the food chain, usually photosynthetic organisms
- plants, and/or phytoplankton
Primary Producer
consumes the primary producer
Primary consumer
- usually carnivores
- eats the primary consumers
Secondary Consumers
- highest level consumer in the ecosystem
Apex Consumer
