Module 6 Flashcards
What is the fundamental unit of life?
The cell
The cell is the simplest biological entity that can exist independently.
What does the cell theory state?
Organisms consist of cells; cells are the basic unit of life; cells come from preexisting cells
This theory is foundational in biology.
What does the cell membrane do?
It is the boundary that separates the cell from its environment
The cell membrane maintains homeostasis for the cell.
How do all cells maintain homeostasis?
Through the cell membrane
The cell membrane is crucial for maintaining a stable internal environment.
In what form is information stored in a cell?
Nucleic acid DNA
DNA serves as the genetic blueprint of the cell.
What does the central dogma describe?
The usual flow of information in a cell, from DNA to RNA to protein
This concept is fundamental to molecular biology.
What is metabolism?
The set of chemical reactions in cells that build and break down macromolecules and harness energy
Metabolism encompasses all biochemical processes occurring within a cell.
What is the relationship between the structure and function of cells?
There is a close and intimate relationship between the shape of biological structures and their function.
At what levels of scale can the relationship between form and function be observed?
The relationship can be seen at all levels of scale, including molecules, cells, and organs.
What is a key characteristic of prokaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and extensive internal membrane-enclosed compartments.
Which organisms are classified as prokaryotes?
Prokaryotes include bacteria and archaea.
How do the sizes of prokaryotic cells compare to eukaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic cells are typically much smaller than eukaryotic cells.
What are the three domains of life?
The three domains of life are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
When did eukaryotes evolve in relation to prokaryotes?
Eukaryotes evolved much later than prokaryotes in the history of life.
What types of organisms are included in the eukaryotes?
Eukaryotes include animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
What do eukaryotic cells have that prokaryotic cells do not?
Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and other internal compartments called organelles.
