Big Ideas of Molecular Biology

Flashcards covering the fundamental concepts of molecular biology, including scientific reasoning, biological hierarchy, evolution, taxonomy, and cellular theory.

Molecular Biology

A branch of biology that deals with the structure and function of macromolecules essential to life.

Inductive Reasoning

A type of scientific reasoning that uses observations to arrive at a conclusion.

Deductive Reasoning

A type of scientific reasoning that uses general principles to predict specific results.

Basic Science

Science that seeks to expand knowledge regardless of short-term application.

Applied Science

Science that aims to use technology and scientific discovery to solve real-world problems.

Human Genome Project

An example of combined basic and applied science that studied each human chromosome to determine DNA sequences and gene locations.

Genetic Disorders

Conditions treated by exploring mutations in DNA, such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia.

Food Security

In molecular biology, the development of GMOs for increased nutrient content and pest resistance.

Forensic Science

A field using DNA fingerprinting to solve crimes and ensure justice.

Environmental Conservation

The use of techniques like DNA barcoding to identify and protect endangered species.

Personalized Medicine

The practice of tailoring drugs specifically to the needs and side effect reduction for individuals.

Characteristics of Life

Key traits including order, cellular organization, response to environment, reproduction, growth, homeostasis, energy processing, heredity, and adaptation.

Homeostasis

The state of balance among all body systems needed for the body to survive and function correctly.

Metabolism

The accumulated total of all biochemical reactions occurring in a cell or an organism.

Biosphere

The highest level of biological hierarchy, consisting of land, water, and the atmosphere.

Ecosystems

The living and non-living components of a particular area.

Communities

The living members of an ecosystem.

Populations

All individuals of a particular species living in a specific area.

Organisms

Individual living things.

Tissues

A group of similar cells working together.

Organelles

Functional components of a cell.

Atoms

The fundamental units of matter.

Cell Theory

The theory stating all organisms are composed of one or more cells, the cell is the basic unit of organization, and cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Reductionism

An approach that reduces complex systems to simpler components that are more manageable to study.

Systems Biology

The construction of models to study the dynamic behavior of whole biological systems.

Unity of Life

The principle that all organisms use the same universal genetic code.

Shared Cellular Features

Components found in all living cells, including the cell membrane, cytosol, DNA, and ribosomes.

Evolution

Change in heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

Natural Selection

The process of "survival of the fittest" that drives evolution.

Genetic Drift

Random fluctuation in gene presentations leading to some traits being less common, especially in small populations.

Divergent Evolution

When related species evolve different traits, often splitting from a common ancestor to adapt to new environments.

Convergent Evolution

When unrelated species develop similar traits independently because they live in similar environments.

Parallel Evolution

When related species evolve similar traits independently.

Coevolution

When two or more species reciprocally affect each other's evolution, such as predator-prey or pollinator-plant relationships.

Microevolution

Small-scale changes in allele frequency within a population.

Macroevolution

Large-scale changes, such as speciation, occurring over long periods.

Taxonomy

The branch of biology that classifies species into broader groups.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

The organization of life from broadest to most specific: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

Bacteria

Prokaryotic organisms that are mostly single-celled and microscopic.

Archaea

Prokaryotic, single-celled microscopic organisms known for living in extreme environments.

Eukarya

The domain of uni- or multi-cellular organisms distinguished by membrane-bound organelles.

Phylogeny

The study of the relationship of one organism to others, often visualized in trees.

Prokaryotic Cells

Smaller, less complex cells that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic Cells

Larger, more complex cells that possess a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Endosymbiotic Theory

The theory that eukaryotic cells evolved from multiple cells joining together, where mitochondria and chloroplasts were once free-living prokaryotes.

Binomial Nomenclature

The naming system for organisms written as "Genus species."

Negative Feedback

A regulation mechanism where the accumulation of an end product of a process slows that process.

Positive Feedback

A regulation mechanism where an end product speeds up its own production.