Unit 1 Themes in Biology Flashcards
what are the 5 major themes in Biology
- Evolution
- The flow of information
- Structure and function are linked
- Transfer and transformation of matter
- Interactions within and between systems
Define evolution
process of change that has transformed life on earth from its earliest forms to the different organisms living today
What did Charles Darwin suggest about Natural Selection
that Natural Selection is the driving mechanism of evolution
define unity of life
descent from common ancestor
define diversity of life
modifications as the species diverged from their ancestors
what two observations did Charles Darwin notice
Individual Variation
Overproduction of offspring
what two conclusions came from the two observations
Unequal reproductive Success
Accumulation of favorable traits over time
define natural selection
accumulation of small changes leads to major alterations of the species
what does the Tree of Life (Phylogenetic Tree) show
-Family tree for all organisms
- Each species is on one branch
- Show that related species did not arise from one another, they shared a common ancestor
What is Artificial Selection
- Humans modify organisms for our own purpose
Define Unintentional Evolution
Unintentional effects we have had on evolution:
-loss of habitat
- antibiotic resistance
- pesticide resistance
Define the Flow of Information
-Reproduction
- growth and development
- internal regulation
- response to the environment
where is genetic information encoded
DNA
what is DNA
- master instructions for a cells functions
- inherited through generations
what is the molecular structure of DNA
- two long chains of molecules
- strands coiled in a double helix
- four building blocks called nucleotides
what is the Genetic Code
chemical language of nucleotides and genes to translate information from DNA into proteins
What are the two different types of Cell Signaling
- External Stimuli
- Internal Stimuli
Define External Stimuli
light, sound, temperature, chemicals
Define Internal Stimuli
food in stomach, sugar levels, oxygen levels in blood
what is the process for Insulin Production
- Signal of high blood glucose level
- Pancreatic cell releases insulin
- Insulin binding stimulates body cells to take up glucose
- Normal blood glucose level removes signal, insulin release stops.
Define the link between Structure and Function and how they are linked
Structure: the shape of something
Function: What something does
-when the structure is best made for their function they are most likely to survive and reporduce
Define the Transfer and Transformation of Energy and Matter
- Activities an organism performs require energy
- Sun energy is converted into forms all life can use.
how is energy transferred
herbivores eat plants, taking in energy
energy is released by cellular respiration
animal waste returns to the environment
decomposers (fungi and bacteria) recycle the waste
How is energy gained
through sunlighth
how is energy lost
heat
How does matter cycle in the ecosystem
from air to soil to the producers to consumers to decomposers and back into the air and soil
