Vocab

Question 1

Evolution

Answer 1

Individuals in a population with favorable traits for their environment reproduce more successfully than individuals with less favorable traits. As a result of evolution, populations change over time through the mechanism of natural selection.

Question 2

Energy, matter, and organization

Answer 2

all life requires energy and matter to carry out its processes. Life ranges hierarchically from cellular to organ systems, all of which require energy and matter on which to act.

Question 3

Homeostatic balance

Answer 3

all life has the ability to maintain an internal environment either actively or passively. Balance can occur at the cell and organ system level, relative to concentration gradients.

Question 4

Ecology

Answer 4

all life interacts with other life, and is affected by abiotic (non-living) in or near its community. These factors drive behavior, population growth and evolutionary change.

Question 5

Reproduction

Answer 5

all life has the capacity to continue its line of inheritance, either sexually or asexually (individual). In the process, DNA is copied and passed on in the form of genes and chromosomes.

Question 6

Growth

Answer 6

all life has the capacity to change or gain in mass during its lifetime. Growth is accomplished by expanding or by multiplying cells and may also include new cells becoming specialized for specific functions (differentiation).