ch1 studyguide bio

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes for an introduction to biology.

Biology

The scientific study of life.

Characteristics of Life

Includes organization, energy acquisition, reproduction, response to stimuli, homeostasis, growth and development, and adaptation.

Organization

The arrangement of living things, with new properties emerging at each level.

Atom

The smallest unit of matter.

Molecule

A combination of atoms.

Cell

The smallest unit of life.

Tissue

A group of similar cells working together.

Organ

A structure made up of different tissues.

Organ System

A group of organs that work together.

Organism

A complete living entity.

Biosphere

All life on Earth.

Population

The same species in one area.

Community

Multiple populations interacting.

Ecosystem

Community plus physical environment.

Energy

The ability to do work.

Autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food, such as plants.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that eat other organisms.

DNA

Carries hereditary information.

Diversity of Life

Differences in DNA lead to biodiversity.

Reproduction

The process of generating offspring; can be asexual or sexual.

Asexual Reproduction

Reproduction without the fusion of gametes.

Sexual Reproduction

Reproduction that involves the fusion of gametes.

Inheritance

The passing of DNA to offspring.

Stimuli

Environmental changes that organisms respond to.

Homeostasis

Maintaining stable internal conditions, e.g., body temperature.

Growth

Increase in size and number of cells.

Development

Changes an organism undergoes throughout its life.

Adaptations

Traits that improve an organism's survival.

Evolution

Change in the genetic composition of populations over time.

Natural Selection

The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive.

Prokaryotes

Cells without a nucleus, such as Bacteria and Archaea.

Eukaryotes

Cells with a nucleus, including Protists, Fungi, Plants, and Animals.

Three Domains of Life

Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya.

Binomial Nomenclature

The system of naming species with a two-part Latin name.

Genus

The first part of the species name in binomial nomenclature.

Species

The second part of the species name in binomial nomenclature.

Homo sapiens

The scientific name for humans.

Physical Environment

The non-living factors in an ecosystem.

Organizational Levels

From atom to organism.

Cells and Tissues

Basic units of structure and function in living organisms.

Energy Flow

The transfer of energy through the ecosystem.

Ecological Interaction

The interactions between different populations in a community.

Hereditary Information

Information contained within DNA that affects traits.

Genetic Variation

Differences in DNA among individuals within a species.

Survival of the Fittest

The idea that the best-adapted individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Biological Classification

The systematic categorization of living organisms.

Cell Division

The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.

Microorganisms

Living organisms that are typically too small to be seen without a microscope.

Photosynthesis

The process by which autotrophs convert light energy into chemical energy.

Respiration

The process of obtaining energy by breaking down food.

Symbiosis

A relationship between two different organisms living in close physical proximity.

Commensalism

A type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.

Parasitism

A relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

Ecological Niche

The role an organism plays in its ecosystem.

Habitat

The natural environment in which an organism lives.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat.

Nutrient Cycling

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.

Biomes

Large geographical biotic communities defined by their climate and dominant vegetation.

Climate Change

Long-term significant changes in the global climate.

Sustainability

The ability to maintain ecological balance.

Genetic Drift

The change in the frequency of a gene variant in a population due to random sampling.

Gene Pool

The stock of different genes within an interbreeding population.

Phylogeny

The history of the evolution of a species or group.

Cladistics

A method of classifying species based on common ancestry.

Trophic Levels

The levels in the food chain of an ecosystem.

Primary Consumers

Herbivores that eat plants.

Secondary Consumers

Carnivores that eat primary consumers.

Tertiary Consumers

Carnivores that eat secondary consumers.

Omnivores

Organisms that eat both plants and animals.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organic material.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support.

Ecological Succession

The process of change in the species structure of an ecological community.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that spread widely and cause harm to the environment.

Endangered Species

Species at risk of extinction.

Extinction

The end of an organism or a group of organisms.

Natural Resources

Materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land.

Conservation Biology

The study of the preservation of biodiversity.

Research Methodologies

Systems used to investigate and study biological phenomena.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for a phenomenon, to be tested.

Experimentation

The process of testing a hypothesis.

Data Analysis

The process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data.

Peer Review

The evaluation of scientific work by one or more experts in the field.

Ethics in Biology

The moral principles governing the conduct of biological research.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach to research and inquiry.