BIO 120 Chapter 1 p2

These flashcards cover key concepts related to cells, genetics, metabolism, scientific inquiry, and important terminology within biology.

Cell

The fundamental unit of life, composed of various structures.

Eukaryotic Cell

A complex cell with membrane-bound organelles and a nucleus, examples include plant and animal cells.

Prokaryotic Cell

A simple, smaller cell without membrane-bound organelles or a nucleus.

Plasma Membrane

A semipermeable membrane that surrounds the cell, regulating the entrance and exit of substances.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic information.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a molecule that transmits information from DNA to synthesize proteins.

Metabolism

The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions that convert energy into usable forms.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy.

Central Dogma of Biology

The process by which DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into proteins.

Hypothesis

A testable and falsifiable statement based on observations.

Theory

A well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world, backed by evidence.

Scientific Inquiry

The process of asking questions and conducting experiments to understand the world.

Iridium Layer

A geological layer found globally that supports the hypothesis of a meteor impact causing mass extinction.

Scientific Process

A methodology that involves observation, experimentation, and analysis to validate hypotheses.

Nucleic Acids

Molecules that store and transmit genetic information, including DNA and RNA.

Central Dogma

The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein, foundational to molecular biology.