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