Microscopy & Origin of Life

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to microscopy and the fundamental properties of life as discussed in the lecture.

Fundamental properties of life

The characteristics that differentiate living organisms from non-living matter, including cellular organization, growth and development, reproduction, response to stimuli, homeostasis, metabolism, and evolution.

Cellular Organization

All living organisms are composed of one or more cells, which exhibit a hierarchy from cells to organisms.

Growth and Development

The process by which organisms increase in size and complexity over time.

Reproduction

The biological process by which organisms produce new individuals, which can be sexual or asexual.

Response to Stimuli

The ability of living organisms to react to environmental changes.

Homeostasis

The capacity of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.

Metabolism

The set of chemical reactions that occur within an organism to sustain life.

Evolution

The process by which populations of organisms change over time through variations in their genetic makeup.

Prokaryotic cells

Simpler cells that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, like bacteria.

Eukaryotic cells

Complex cells with a nucleus and various organelles, found in plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

Natural Selection

The mechanism by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Phylogenetic Tree

A diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on genetic and physical traits.

Taxonomic Classification

The scientific method of organizing and naming organisms based on shared characteristics.

Speciation

The process by which new species arise, often due to reproductive isolation leading to genetic divergence.

Microscope

An instrument used to observe small objects or organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Total Magnification

The product of the magnification of the objective lens and the eyepiece when using a microscope.