Studying Life - Chapter 1

These flashcards cover the key concepts and major themes from Chapter 1 on the study of life, focusing on the characteristics of living organisms, their origins, and the evolution of life on Earth.

What are the major characteristics shared among all living things?

All living things are composed of a common set of chemical compounds, are made up of cells, extract energy from the environment, regulate their internal environments, contain genetic information, use a universal molecular code, and exist in populations that evolve over time.

How did photosynthesis influence the history of life on Earth?

Photosynthesis transformed the energy of sunlight into a usable form of chemical energy, leading to the accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere and enabling aerobic metabolism.

What is the significance of the common ancestry of all life?

The similarities in chemical composition, cell structure, and genetic codes among diverse organisms indicate that all life has a common ancestry.

What distinguishes prokaryotic cells from eukaryotic cells?

Prokaryotic cells are unicellular and lack internal membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have internal membranes that enclose specialized compartments called organelles.

What role do liposomes play in the evolution of cellular life?

Liposomes, formed by the agitation of fatty acid membranes, could have used their internal environment to concentrate biochemical reactants, leading to the evolution of the first cellular organisms.

What is the role of cellular specialization in multicellular organisms?

Cellular specialization allows different cells to perform specific functions, increasing efficiency and enabling multicellular organisms to adapt more effectively to their environments.

How did the accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere impact the evolution of life?

The accumulation of oxygen enabled aerobic metabolism, which is more efficient than anaerobic metabolism, and allowed life to move onto land.

What is the relationship between evolution and the diversity of life on Earth?

Evolution, defined as changes in the genetic makeup of populations over time, has led to the enormous diversity of life through the spread of advantageous variations.

How did early life forms obtain their energy before the rise of photosynthesis?

Early prokaryotes obtained energy by breaking down small molecules from their environment through metabolic processes.

Why are viruses considered a part of life by many biologists?

Despite not being cellular organisms, viruses contain genetic information and can evolve, indicating a dependency on cellular structures, likely originating from cellular life forms.