Organismal Test 1 review

Adaptation

A trait that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Camouflage

A form of adaptation where an organism blends into its environment to avoid detection.

Evolution

The process through which species change over time through natural selection and genetic variation.

Inherited Adaptations

Traits that are passed down from parents to offspring, as opposed to acquired traits.

Reductionism

An approach that breaks complex systems into simpler components for study.

Systems Biology

An approach that studies the interactions and relationships within biological systems.

Emergent Properties

Characteristics that arise from the interactions of simpler components, not present in individual parts.

Structure and Function

The principle that the shape of a biological structure is closely related to its function.

Cell

The basic unit of life, performing essential functions for organisms.

Prokaryotic Cells

Simple, unicellular organisms without a nucleus, typically smaller than eukaryotic cells.

Eukaryotic Cells

More complex cells with a nucleus and organelles, generally larger than prokaryotic cells.

DNA

The molecule that carries genetic information in living organisms.

Genes

Segments of DNA that encode for proteins and determine inherited traits.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of DNA, consisting of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.

Gene Expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, usually a protein.

Genomics

The study of genomes, the complete set of DNA within an organism.

Proteomics

The study of the entire set of proteins produced by an organism.

Bioinformatics

The use of software and algorithms to analyze biological data, particularly in genomics and proteomics.

Energy Transfer

The movement of energy through an ecosystem, typically from producers to consumers.

Interactions

The relationships between organisms and their environment, including competition and symbiosis.

Climate Change

Long-term alterations in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, often driven by human activity.

Extinction

The end of an organism or a group of organisms, often due to environmental changes or loss of habitat.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Descent with Modification

The principle that species evolve over time, with changes passed down through generations.

Homology

Similarities in structure or function among different species due to shared ancestry.

Convergent Evolution

The process where unrelated species develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.

Fossil Record

The history of life as documented by fossils, providing evidence for evolution.

Biogeography

The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.

Endemic Species

Species that are native to and found only within a specific geographic area.