Intro to Biology: Life, Organization, Evolution, and Taxonomy

Vocabulary flashcards covering key biology concepts from life, organization, evolution, and taxonomy sections of the notes.

Life

The characteristic state of living systems that exhibit organization, metabolism, growth, reproduction, response to stimuli, and adaptation.

Characteristics of life

Traits shared by living things: organized cells, growth, reproduction, metabolism, response to stimuli, homeostasis, and evolution.

Atom

The basic unit of matter consisting of a dense nucleus surrounded by electrons.

Molecule

A group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.

Macromolecule

A large molecule formed by linking many smaller units called monomers (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides).

Monomer

A small subunit that bonds with others to form polymers.

Cell

The basic unit of life; all organisms are composed of cells; cells form tissues, organs, and organ systems.

Tissue

A group of similar cells performing a specific function.

Organ

A structure composed of tissues that carries out a particular function.

Organ system

A group of related organs that work together to perform major body functions.

Organism

An individual living thing, either unicellular or multicellular.

Population

All individuals of a species living in a defined area.

Community

All populations of different species in a defined area.

Ecosystem

All living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components in an area and their interactions.

Biosphere

The global sum of all ecosystems; the zone of life on Earth.

Unicellular

Organisms composed of a single cell.

Multicellular

Organisms composed of many cells.

Reproduction

The process by which organisms produce new individuals.

Asexual reproduction

Reproduction without gamete fusion, producing genetically identical offspring.

Sexual reproduction

Reproduction involving fusion of gametes, yielding genetically varied offspring.

Budding

An asexual reproductive process where a new individual arises from a growth on the parent.

Stimulus

A detectable change in the environment that elicits a response.

Chemotaxis

Movement toward or away from chemicals.

Phototaxis

Movement toward or away from light.

Positive response

Movement toward a stimulus.

Negative response

Movement away from a stimulus.

Adaptation

Heritable trait that improves an organism's fitness in a given environment; results from natural selection.

Evolution

Process by which populations change over time through genetic variation and natural selection.

Growth

Increase in size or number of cells during an organism's life.

Development

Process by which an organism matures and attains its adult form.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment despite external changes.

Energy processing

The use and transformation of energy for metabolic activities.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored as sugars.

Mutation

A random heritable change in DNA that can create genetic variation.

Genetic variation

Differences in DNA among individuals, providing the raw material for evolution.

Natural selection

Process where heritable traits that confer survival and reproductive advantage become more common over generations.

Taxonomy

Science of classifying and naming organisms in a hierarchical system.

Genus

A rank grouping together species that are closely related.

Species

The basic unit of classification; organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Family

A taxonomic rank above genus, grouping related genera.

Domain

The highest level of classification; domains are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

Bacteria

Domain of prokaryotic, typically unicellular organisms lacking a nucleus.

Archaea

Domain of prokaryotic, often extremophilic organisms distinct from bacteria.

Eukarya

Domain of organisms with eukaryotic cells that have a nucleus.

Prokaryote

Organism whose cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryote

Organism whose cells contain a nucleus and organelles.

Phylogenetic tree

Diagram showing evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Node

A branching point on a phylogenetic tree where lineages diverge.

Binomial nomenclature

Two-part Latin naming system for species, consisting of genus and specific epithet.

Species name

The two-part name combining genus and specific epithet (e.g., Lactarius indigo).

Genus (example)

Lactarius or Postelsia; the first part of a binomial name showing related species.

Specific epithet

Second part of the binomial name, unique within the genus (e.g., indigo, palmaeformis).

Lactarius indigo

Binomial name for the blue milk mushroom.

Postelsia palmaeformis

Binomial name for the sea palm.

Linnaeus

Carl Linnaeus, father of taxonomy; developed binomial nomenclature.