Unit 1: Characteristics of Life Flashcards
Metabolism
The chemical processes that break down or build up materials.
Homeostasis
The maintenance of constant internal conditions in an organism.
Independent Variable
A condition that is manipulated, or changed, by a scientist.
Dependent Variable
The experimental data, what is measured.
Quantitative Data
Numeric Measurements
Qualitative Data
Descriptions in words of what is being observed.
Prokaryotic Cell
No nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles.
Eukaryotic Cell
Have nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
aids in the production of proteins and lipids.
Mitochondria
Bean shaped and have two membranes. Mitochondria helps the cell to produce ATP.
Chloroplast
Chloroplasts are organelles that help a plant convert solar energy to chemical energy.
Monomer
Small molecules or subunits of an entire molecule.
Polymer
A polymer is a large molecule, or macromolecule, made of many monomers bonded together.
Carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and they include sugars and starches. Used for short term energy storage.
Lipid
Lipids are nonpolar molecules that include fats, oils, and cholesterol. Used for long term energy storage.
Protein
Proteins are the most varied of the carbon-based molecules in organisms. The “do-ers” of the cell.
Nucleic Acid
Polymers that are made up of monomers called nucleotides. Contain genetic information.
Levels of Organization
How complex organisms are organized, from least to most complex. Atom, molecule, organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
