Biology Chapter 1 : evolution

Biology

The scientific study of life. To be considered living, an organism must exhibit all characteristics of living organisms.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that lack a nucleus and membrane-enclosed organelles, generally smaller, including Bacteria and Archaea.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that have membrane-enclosed organelles and a nucleus, including plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, the genetic material contained in chromosomes, composed of nucleotides arranged in a double helix.

Genome

The entire collection of genetic instructions an organism inherits.

Producers

Organisms that carry out photosynthesis and make their own food, such as plants.

Consumers

Organisms that must consume other organisms and cannot make their own food, e.g., humans.

Negative Feedback

A regulatory mechanism in biological systems that stabilizes a system by counteracting changes.

Natural Selection

The mechanism behind evolution where individuals better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Fitness

The ability of an organism to survive and successfully reproduce, which does not necessarily mean being the strongest.

Hypothesis

An explanation based on observations that leads to a testable prediction, which can be supported or rejected based on evidence.

Scientific Theory

A well-supported explanation derived from a broad range of observations and experiments that is broader than a hypothesis.

Model Organisms

Species used in research to study phenoma and that provide information applicable to other species.