Module 1: The Study Of Life Flashcards
What is DNA?
DNA is a set of instructions that
- take the chemicals which make up life and
- arrange them in just the right way so as to reproduce a living system.
What would happen without the DNA instructions set?
Without the specific instructions provided by DNA,
-the components would not be arranged in a coherent manner
-and would not be able to carry out the processes necessary for life.
The chemicals that make up a life form would be nothing more than a pile of goo.
A pile of goo refers to a shapeless, amorphous mass of semi-liquid or viscous substance. It implies that the chemicals that make up living systems would lack the organization and structure necessary for the functioning of a complex organism.
Can you define what classification is?
The exercise of taking all of the organisms that live on this earth and placing them in into one of the tree groups: Herbivores, carnivores or omnivores
What is the definition of metabolism?
The process by which a living organism takes energy from its surroundings and uses it to sustain itself, develop and grow.
What is the definition of photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis allows plants to convert the energy of sunlight into food.
The process by which a plant uses the energy of the sunlight and certain chemicals to produce its own food. Oxygen is often a by-product of photosynthesis.
What is the definition of herbivores?
Organisms that eat plants exclusively.
What is the definition of carnivores?
Organisms that eat only organisms other than plants.
What is the definition of omnivores?
Organisms that eat both plants and other organisms.
What is the definition of producers?
Organisms that produce their own food.
What is the definition of consumers?
Organisms that eat living producers and /or other consumers for food
Why are plants producers?
Because they make their own food from chemicals and the sun’s light.
Why are omnivores, herbivores and carnivores all consumers?
Because they eat producers and other consumers.
What is the definition of decomposers?
Organisms that break down the dead remains of other organisms.
What is the definition of autotrophs?
Organisms that are able to make their own food.
What is the definition of heterotrophs?
Organisms that depend on other organisms for their food.
What is the definition of receptors?
Special structures or chemicals that allow living organisms to sense the conditions of their surroundings.
What is the definition of asexual reproduction?
Reproduction accomplished by a single organism.
What is the definition of sexual reproduction?
Reproduction that requires 2 organisms, a male and a female.
What is the definition of inheritance?
The process by which physical and biological characteristics are transmitted from the parent (or parents) to the offspring.
What is the definition of mutation?
An abrupt and marked difference between offspring and parent.
What is the definition of hypothesis ?
An educated guess that attempts to explain an observation or answer a question. The explanation will have to be tested with a significant amount of data before it can be considered a theory.
What is the definition of theory?
A hypothesis that has been tested with a significant amount of data.
What is the definition of scientific law ?
A theory that has been tested by and is consistent with generations of data.
What is the definition of microorganism ?
Living creatures that are too small to see with the naked eye.
What is the definition of abiogenesis?
The theory that, long ago, very simple life forms spontaneously appeared through random chemical reactions.
What is the definition of prokaryotic cell ?
A cell that has no distinct, membrane-bound organelles.
Define Organelles
Organelles are specialized structures within a cell that perform specific functions. They are typically enclosed within membranes and carry out various cellular processes.
Define Membrane-bound
When we say that an organelle is membrane-bound, it means that the organelle is surrounded by a membrane or a lipid bilayer. This membrane acts as a barrier, separating the organelle’s internal environment from the surrounding cytoplasm.
What is the definition of eukaryotic cell?
A cell with distinct, membrane-bound organelles.
What is the definition of species?
A unit of one or more populations of individuals that can reproduce under normal conditions, produce fertile offspring, and are reproductively isolated from other such units.
What is the definition of binomial nomenclature?
Naming an organism with its genus and species name.
What is the definition of taxonomy?
The science of classifying organisms.
What are the 4 criteria of life?
An organism is classified as a carnivore. Is it heterotroph or an autotroph? Is it a producer, consumer or decomposer? xxxxx
An organism has receptors in tentacles that come out of its head. If those tentacles were cut off in an accident, what life function would be most hampered? xxxxx
A parent and two offspring are studied. Although there are many similarities between the parent and the offspring, there are also some differences. Do these organisms reproduce sexually or asexually? xxxxxxxxxx
Briefly explain the scientific method.
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Where does the wise person place his or her faith: science or the Bible?
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