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Characteristics of Life
CHapter 1 BI115
47
Biology
Undergraduate 1
02/14/2009

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Term
cell
Definition
consists of an organized chemical system, including many specialized molecules surrounded by a membrane. It is the lowest level of biological organization that can survive and reproduce as long as it has access to a usable energy source, the necessary raw materials, and appropriate environmental conditions
Term
emergent properties
Definition
characteristics that depend on the level of organization of matter, but do not exist at lower levels of organization. Ex- life
Term
unicellular organisms
Definition
single cell organisms such as bacteria and protozoans
Term
multicellular organisms
Definition
many plants and animals, their cells live in tightly coordinated groups and are so interdependent that they cant survive on their own
Term
population
Definition
group of unicellular or multicellular organisms of the same kind that live together in the same place. Have emergent properties that don't exist at lower levels of organization
Term
community
Definition
all populations of different organisms that live in the same place.
Term
ecosystem
Definition
group of communites interacting with their shared physical environment.
Term
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
Definition
the most fundamental and important molecule that distinguishes living systems from nonliving matter. Large, double stranded helical molecule that contains instructions for assembling a libing organism from simpler molecules
Term
biosphere
Definition
all regions of earths crust, waters, and atmosphere that sustain life.
Term
Differeneces in DNa ....
Definition
molecular building blocks are arranged differently in each of these organisms, producing difference in their appearence and function
Term
RNA (rhibonucleic acid)
Definition
information in DNA is copies into molecules of RNA, which direct the production of different protein molecules
Term
proteins
Definition
proteins carry our most of the activities of life, including the sunthesis of all other biological molecules
Term
metabolism
Definition
descries the ability of a cell or organism to extract energy from its surroundings and use that energy to maintain itself, grow, and reproduce
Term
photosynthesis
Definition
process in which electromagnetic energy in sunlight is absorbed and converted into chemical energy. uses sunlight to build sugar molecules form carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen as a by product of the reaction
Term
cellular respiration
Definition
uses oxygen to break down sugar molecules, releheasing their chemical energy and making it available for other metabolic processes.
Term
photosynthetic organisms
Definition
are the primary producers of the food on which all other organisms rely
Term
consumers
Definition
animals that directly or indirectly feed on complex molecules manufactured by plants
Term
decomposers
Definition
feed on the remains of dead organisms, breaking down complex biological molecules into simpler raw materials, which may then be recycled by the producers. Ex-bacteria and fungi
Term
Heat
Definition
some energy that photosynthetic organisms trap from sunlight flows within and between populations, communities, and ecosystems. Biological processes arent 100% efficient, so some energy is lost as heat
Term
Carbon and nitrogen ___ in an ecosystem
Definition
cycle between living organisms and nonlibing components of the biosphere, to be used again and again
Term
receptors
Definition
molecules or larger structures located on individual cells and body surfaces that are able to detect changes in external and internal conditions. When stimulated, they trigger reactions that produce a compensating response
Term
homeostasis
Definition
a steady internal condition maintained by responses that compensate for changes in the external environment. all organisms have mechanisms to maintain homeostasis in relation to temperature, blood chemistry, etc
Term
reproduction
Definition
the process in whcih parents produce offspring
Term
inheritance
Definition
transmission of DNA from on generation to the next
Term
development
Definition
a series of programed changes encoded in DNA through which a fertilized egg divides into many cells that ultimately are transformed into an adult, which is itself capable of reproduction
Term
life cycle
Definition
the sequential stages through which individuals develop, grow, maintain themselves, and reproduce
Term
biological evolution
Definition
populations of all organisms change from one generation to the next bc some individuals experience changes in their DNA and they pass those modified instructions along to their offspring
Term
what are the 3 things known about the evolutionary process
Definition
1-all populations change through time
2-all organisms are related through a shared ancestry
3-evolution has produced the spectacular diversity we have now
Term
artificial selection
Definition
the and selection of traits wanted in a species
Term
natural selection
Definition
natural process of the passage of traits
Term
species
Definition
a group of populations in which the individuals are so closely related in structure, biochemsitry, and behavior that they can interbreed
Term
genus
Definition
group of similar species that share common ancestry
Term
prokaryotes
Definition
exhibit a relatively simple organization of DNA and cell structures, no nucleus, bacteria and archae are prokaryotes
Term
eukaryotes
Definition
dna enclosed in a nucleus, specialized internal compartments (organelles) hold structures as well
Term
bacteri
Definition
live as producers or decomposers. have some structural molecules and mechanisms of photosynthesis that are unique and found only in this domain
Term
archae
Definition
live as producers or decomposers. inhabit extreme environments, distinguished by some structural molecules and by a primitive form of photosynthesis that are unique to their domain
Term
protoctista
Definition
diverse group of single and multi-cellular eukaryotic species.
Term
kingdom plantae
Definition
multicellular organisms, carry ut photosynthesis, producers
Term
fungi
Definition
varied groups of unicellular and multicellular species,most are decomposers that break down and absorb molecules from dead organisms;
Term
animals
Definition
multicellular organisms that live as consumers by ingesting organisms in all 3 domans. motility is a key function
Term
basic research
Definition
search for explanatiins about natural phenomena to satify their own curiostiy and to advance our collective knowledge of living systems
Term
applied research
Definition
research for the goal of solving a specific problem
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