Unifying themes of life Flashcards
To learn all of the unifying themese of life
States that all living organisms are composed of cells, and that cells are the basic unit of life.
Cell theory
All organisms, from the simplest bacteria to complex multicellular organisms, are made of?
Cells
Cells arise from __-_______ cells through the process of cell division.
pre-existing
What are the two main types of cells
prokaryotic (no nucleus, like bacteria) and eukaryotic (nucleus, like plant and animal cells).
carry out all necessary functions of life, such as metabolism and reproduction.
Cells
Organisms do not exist in isolation; they continuously interact with their environment.
Interaction with the Environment
It respond to physical factors (e.g., sunlight, water, temperature) and biological factors (e.g., predators, symbiotic relationships).
Organisms
These can influence an organism’s behavior, physiology, and survival.
interactions
The fundamental and the smallest unit of life
Cells
Over time, species undergo changes that allow them to survive and reproduce in specific environments.
Adaptation and Evolution
Is the change in the genetic composition of populations over generations, driven primarily by natural selection.
Evolution
Are traits that increase an organism’s fitness, or its ability to survive and reproduce.
Adaptation
Organisms with advantageous traits (adaptations) are more likely to survive and pass on these traits to offspring.
Natural selection
Random events can cause certain alleles to become more or less common in a population, particularly in small populations (e.g., founder effect, bottleneck effect).
Genetic Drift
Movement of individuals between populations introduces new genetic material, promoting genetic diversity.
Gene flow
Shows the progression of life forms over millions of years, such as the transition from fish to amphibians.
Fossils record
While life on Earth is incredibly diverse, all living organisms share a set of common features that reflect their evolutionary origin from a common ancestor.
Unity and Diversity of Life
Life is classified into three domains
Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
New species arise when populations become genetically distinct from one another, often due to geographic isolation (e.g., the evolution of different species of cichlid fish in isolated African lakes).
Speciation
allows for the transfer of genetic material from one generation to the next, and this transmission of heritable information ensures the continuation and evolution of species.
Reproduction
Involves a single parent producing genetically identical offspring. This occurs through processes like binary fission in bacteria or budding in yeast.
Asexual Reproduction
Involves the combination of genetic material from two parents. This leads to genetic variation through meiosis, where gametes (sperm and egg) are produced with half the number of chromosomes.
Sexual Reproduction
stores and transmits genetic information. It is composed of nucleotides, which form genes that encode proteins.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
is the process by which organisms convert nutrients into energy, and regulation involves maintaining stable internal conditions (homeostasis) that are essential for survival.
Respiration
Often called the “energy currency” of the cell, powers cellular processes like muscle contraction and nerve signaling.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Maintaining body temperature
thermoregulation
is any self-regulating process by which an organism tends to maintain stability while adjusting to conditions that are best for its survival.
Homeostasis
The relationship between an animal’s structure and how it functions in its environment is crucial for survival. Evolution shapes the anatomy (form) to optimize how organisms perform necessary functions.
Form and Function of Animals
Their hollow bones and wing shapes are designed for flight, reducing weight and maximizing aerodynamic efficiency.
Birds
Diverse forms like the long neck of a giraffe for reaching high foliage or the webbed feet of otters for swimming show how structure is optimized for function.
Mammals
Streamlined bodies and fins are adapted for swimming in water, reducing drag and enhancing propulsion.
Fish
In animals, the heart pumps blood, transporting oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing waste. Some animals, like fish, have a two-chambered heart, while mammals have a four-chambered heart for more efficient oxygenation.
Circulatory System
Animals rely on their _______ ______ to detect stimuli and respond. For instance, the reflex arc in humans allows for rapid, automatic responses to pain
Nervous system
are new attributes that arise when individual components interact at higher levels of complexity. These properties cannot be predicted just by understanding the individual parts.
Emergent properties
A single neuron does not “think,” but the network of neurons in the brain gives rise to consciousness and complex thought processes.
Cellular Level
The interaction between species and the environment produces new phenomena, such as nutrient cycling, where energy flows through the _________ and substances like carbon and nitrogen are recycled.
Ecosystem
In some species, social behavior arises from individual actions, like ant colonies working as a collective to build complex nests or forage for food.
Social systems
explores how advancements in scientific knowledge and technology impact human life, and how societal needs shape scientific research.
STS (Science, Technology, and Society)
Technologies like the microscope and the telescope have allowed scientists to explore previously inaccessible realms, from the tiny world of cells to distant galaxies.
Technology Enables Science
Discoveries in physics led to innovations like electricity, while breakthroughs in biology and chemistry led to medical advances like antibiotics, vaccines, and genetic engineering.
Science Advances Technology
