UNIT 3 BIOLOGY - QUIZLET IMPORT SET

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering universal challenges of life, metabolism, genetics, cell structure, function, and homeostasis.

Universal challenges of life

Energy use, environmental exchange, coordination, molecule transport, growth & development, defense, and reproduction.

Energy use

All living things require energy to drive cellular and organismal processes.

Exchange with environment

Organisms must exchange energy, water, nutrients, gases, wastes, and other molecules with surroundings.

Homeostasis

Regulation of stable internal conditions despite external changes.

Prokaryotic cell

Unicellular, no nucleus, circular DNA in nucleoid, smaller, simple structure.

Eukaryotic cell

Has a nucleus with linear DNA and membrane-bound organelles; can be unicellular or multicellular.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions that build (anabolic) or break down (catabolic) molecules for energy.

ATP

Usable cellular energy molecule formed from energy conversion processes.

Anabolism

Building molecules and storing energy.

Catabolism

Breaking down molecules to release energy.

Aerobic respiration

Energy production using oxygen; main ATP source in most organisms.

Anaerobic fermentation

Energy production without oxygen; less efficient, produces lactic acid or ethanol.

DNA

Stable molecule that stores genetic information and directs cell structure and activity.

Central Dogma

The process of DNA being transcribed to RNA and translated to protein.

Mutation

Change in DNA sequence that can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral.

Asexual reproduction

One parent produces genetically identical offspring.

Mitosis

Eukaryotic cell division for growth and repair; creates identical cells.

Cell Theory

All living things are made of cells; cells are the basic unit of life; all cells come from pre-existing cells.

Organelle

Specialized structure within a cell that performs a specific function.

Mitochondria

Organelle where aerobic respiration occurs, producing ATP.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Network for protein (rough ER) and lipid (smooth ER) synthesis.

Golgi Apparatus

Packages and ships proteins and lipids.

Lysosome

Contains enzymes for digesting and recycling cellular materials.

Selectively Permeable

Allows some molecules to pass freely while blocking others.

Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio

Smaller cells have higher ratios, enhancing material exchange.

Negative Feedback Loop

Mechanism that counteracts deviations from a set point to restore balance.

Set Point

Target value for a physiological variable (e.g., temperature, blood glucose).