WEEK 1 Flashcards
Life Defies Simple Definition
Key points:
- Difficult
- 7 Characteristics
- Life is Difficult to define thus, it is broken down into 7 characteristics:
Cellular Organisation Ordered Complexity Sensitivity Growth, Development and reproduction Energy Utilization Evolutionary Adaptation
What is Biology?
Key Points:
- Point of Convergence
- Biological Organisation
- The point of convergence for the information and tools from all the natural science
- Every level of the Biological Organization is governed by the energy transactions from what we learn of “Thermodynamics”
3 things to consider for “Cellular Organisation”
- All organisms consist of one or more cells
- Cells carry out the basic activities of living
- Each cell is bounded by a cell membrane which separates itself from it’s surroundings
2 things to consider for “Ordered Complexity”
- All living things are both complex and highly ordered
2. Non Living things can also be complex but it does not exhibit to the degree of complexity
2 things to consider for “Sensitivity”
- All organisms respond to stimuli
2. All plants grow towards a source of light
2 things to consider for “Growth, Development and Reproduction”
- All organisms are capable of :
- Reproduction
- Development
- Growth - They possess “Hereditary” molecules which are passed down to their offspring to ensure that their offspring are off the same species
1 point to consider for “Energy Utilization”
All organisms take in energy and use it to perform many kinds of work
1 point to consider for “Homeostasis”
- All organisms maintain CONSTANT internal conditions that are different from their environment.
1 point to consider for “Evolutionary Adaptation”
- All organisms interact with:
- Other organisms
- non living things
which results to their survival, thus organisms evolve adaptations to their environments
Living Systems show Hierarchical Organisation
- List the 5 Levels
- Molecular Level
- Cellular Level
- Organismal Level
- Population Level
- Ecosystem Level
- Biosphere
What is the “Cellular Level”?
4 Key points to consider:
- Atoms
- Complex Biological Molecules
- Independent Organisms
- Multicellular
- At this level, the “ATOMS” [Fundamental element of matter]
is joined together in clusters called “MOLECULES” - Complex Biological molecules are assembles into tiny structures called “ORGANELLES” within membrane units we call “CELLS”
- Many “INDEPENDENT” organisms are composed of only single cells
4.
What is the “Organismal Level”?
4 points to consider:
- Complex Multicellular Organisms
- Tissue
- Organ
- Organ Systems
- Cells in complex multicellular organisms exhibit THREE levels
What is the “Population Level”?
Points to consider:
- Similar
- Different
- Population: Similar
What is the “Ecosystem Level”?
Points to Consider:
- Biological Community
- Physical Habitat
Biological Community and Physical Habitat constitute an ecological system
What is the “Biosphere Level”?
The whole earth