Topic 1 Flashcards
biology
- study of life & vital processes along with physiochemical aspects
- a point of convergence for the information and tools from all other natural sciences
eukaryotic cells
Eukarya Domain
prokaryotic cells
Bacteria & Archaea Domain
genes
The basic unit of hereditary; a sequence of DNA nucleotides on a chromosome that encodes a protein, tRNA, or rRNA molecule, or regulates the transcription of such a sequence
gene expression
The conversion of the genotype into the phenotypes; the process by which DNA is transcribes into RNA, which is then translated into protein product.
emergent properties
- may develop as complex structures are assembled from simpler subunits
-often cannot be deduced solely from knowledge of the individual components
systems biology
focuses on studying living organisms as a whole as well as understanding the workings of the parts of an organism
connection of biology to the study of life
bio means life and ology means study
levels of organization (hierarchy of life)
cellular, & ordered by complexity
(atoms/elements - molecules - organelles – cells – tissues – organs – organ systems – organisms – populations – communities – ecosystems – biosphere)
cell theory
o Cells are the smallest unit of life
- (function of the cells is dependent on its organelles)
o All organisms are made of one or more cells
- Activity of an organism depends on cellular activity
o Cells only come from other cells (mitosis or meiosis)
process of the scientific method
- An observation is made: these observations should lead to general conclusions that could be addressed by experimentation.
- A hypothesis is made: it should allow for predictions and should be testable.
Null hypothesis states theres no difference between control group and and treatment. Alternative hypothesis states that there is a difference. The difference or lack of difference is proved through statistical analysis.
- Experimentation is done with control and changed variables. Experiment should be repeated for more confidence in conclusion.
- A conclusion is made.
- A theory is developed from multiple conclusions.
- A law, a fact or proven idea, can be made.
DNA
the genetic material of all organisms; composed of two complementary chains of nucleotides wound in a double helix
genomics
the study of genomes as opposed to individual genes
genome
the entire DNA sequence of an organism
bioinformatics
A field of science that combines biological data with computer science, math, and physics. It is usually used for studying genomes and DNA sequencing. One can develop new technologies to obtain more data or create medicine.
producers (autotrophs)
utilize energy from the sun through photosynthesis
consumers (heterotrophs)
organisms that cannot produce their own food, so they must eat other animals or plants
feedback regulation
control mechanism that uses the consequences of a process to regulate the rate at which the process occurs:
positive feedback
feedback that tends to magnify a process or increase its output
Childbirth – stretching of uterine walls cause contractions that further stretch the walls (this continues until birthing occurs)
Lactation – the child feeding stimulates milk production which causes further feeding (continues until baby stops feeding)
negative feedback
a homeostatic control mechanism whereby an increase in some substance or activity inhibits the process leading to the increase; also known as feedback inhibition
evolution
genetic changes in a population of organisms; in general, evolution leads to progressive change from simple to complex. The idea that the characteristics of living things can and have changed during the history of life on Earth
- it is a theory supported by overwhelming scientific evidence
- is a unifying concept of biology, provides a conceptual framework that unifies biology as a science
- Natural selection is one mechanism that causes evolution to take place.
domains
- created by taxonomists that categorize life into their phylogenetic classifications (bacteria, archaea, eukarya)
-based in differences in ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences and their cell membrane lipid structure
bacteria
- SINGLE CELLED
most diverse and widespread prokaryotes and are now classified into multiple kingdoms. - some are pathogenic while no archaea are pathogenic
archaea
any of a group of SINGLE-CELLED prokaryotic organisms (that is, organisms whose cells lack a defined nucleus) that have distinct molecular characteristics separating them from bacteria
eukarya
- true nucleus & membrane bound organelles
- four kingdoms (plantae, fungi, animalia, protists)
- single-celled and multicellular
natural selection
The differential reproduction of genotypes; caused by factors in the environment; leads to evolutionary change.
- mechanism that causes evolution to take place.
- Darwin contributed the concept of natural selection, and Alfred Wallace arrived at the same idea at the same time as Darwin
inquiry
using evidence from observations and investigations to create logical explanations and answer questions.
inductive reasoning
- Logic flows opposingly as specific observations are used to construct general scientific principles
- Leads to generalizations that can be tested
- Mainly used for biological studies
ex. A scientist observes 10 animal cells, 10 plant cells, 10 fungal cells, and 10 bacterial cells and determines they all possess ribosomes. Based on that, the scientist constructs a hypothesis that all cells have ribosomes
hypothesis
- the starting point for explaining a body of observations
- may or may not be true
- can always be rejected when new info is brought to life
-scientists test hypotheses by making predictions
-A tentative explanation for a natural phenomenon
deductive reasoning
(uses known principles)
- Applies general principles to predict specific results
- Is why math and philosophy can be used to validify general ideas
ex. All bachelors are unmarried men - John is an unmarried man. - Therefore, John is a bachelor.
data
any data that provide a characterization of the biological, genetic, biochemical and/or physiological properties, compositions, or activities of the sample materials
data or measurements collected from biological sources
experiment
designed to test predictions
variable
a factor that influences a process, outcome, or observation.
- scientists attempt to isolate variables to test hypotheses in experiments
theory
- has been tested by experimentation
-it is a statement consisting of many interconnected concepts that are supported by scientific reasoning and experimental evidence, and explain the facts in a particular field of study.
technology
the use of biology to develop new products, methods and organisms intended to improve human health and society
atoms/elements
fundamental building blocks of matter; contain subatomic particles
molecules
clusters of atoms when which joined together can form complex molecules (ex. proteins, lipids. carbs, nucleic acids)
organelles
complex molecules that form tiny structures in cells (typically lipids and proteins)
cells
the basic unit of life; structural and functional unit of an organism
tissues
groups of similar cells that become a functional unit
organs
structures composed of different tissues that become a functional unit
organ systems
multiple organs that work in connection to each other
organism
an individual living thing
populations
a group of individuals of a particular species within a region
communities
populations of different species in a region
ecosystems
all living and nonliving things in a region
biosphere
all life on Earth (terrestrial life)
the activity of an organism depends on what?
cellular activity
Which of the following is required by all organisms in order to maintain their non-equilibrium stable state?
a constant supply of energy
basic reasearch
generally performed by scientists at colleges and universities, extends the boundaries of what we know
applied research
Information gleaned from basic scientific research provides the scientific knowledge that is necessary for this research.
-often carried out in industry
