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.
