MYP 1 Sciences Unit 3: How Do Living Things Work?

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the MYP 1 Sciences Unit 3 notes, focusing on the characteristics of living things, cellular biology, genetics, and sustainability.

MRS GREN

The seven characteristics of all living things: Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid, the chemical in cells that carries genetic instructions, shaped like a double helix.

Prokaryotic Cell

A simple cell with NO nucleus; DNA floats freely in the cytoplasm (e.g., bacteria).

Eukaryotic Cell

A complex cell WITH a nucleus that contains DNA (e.g., plant and animal cells).

Autotrophic

An organism that makes its own food using energy from sunlight or chemicals, such as plants and algae.

Heterotrophic

An organism that gets energy by eating other organisms, such as animals and fungi.

Aerobic Respiration

Releasing energy from glucose using oxygen, which produces carbon dioxide and water as waste.

Anaerobic Respiration

Releasing energy from glucose WITHOUT oxygen, producing less energy (e.g., fermentation in yeast).

Gene

A section of DNA that carries the instructions for a specific characteristic, like eye colour.

Genome

The complete set of all genetic information in an organism, encompassing every gene.

Chromosome

A tightly coiled structure made of DNA, humans have 46 (23 pairs) inside the nucleus.

Metabolism

All of the chemical reactions that take place inside a living organism to maintain life.

Homeostasis

The process of maintaining a stable internal environment within the body.

Stimulus (Stimuli)

A change in the environment that a living organism detects and responds to.

Excretion

The process of removing waste products made by the body's chemical reactions.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer layer found ONLY in plant cells (and some bacteria), made of cellulose.

Chlorophyll

The green pigment in chloroplasts that captures light energy for photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make glucose and release oxygen.

Sustainability

Meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.