biology chapter 1-4

Beach Mouse (Peromyscus polionotus)

Fur color adaptations that help it blend into its environment, providing protection from predators.

Evolution

Process of change over time that has resulted in the diversity of organisms found on Earth.

Biological Inquiry

Asking questions about the living world and seeking answers through scientific methods.

Biology

Scientific study of life and encompasses a vast scope.

Organization

Understanding the hierarchical structure of life from molecules to the biosphere.

Information

The role of genetic information in the growth, development, and reproduction of organisms.

Energy and Matter

How organisms obtain and use energy and matter to sustain life.

Interactions

The interactions between organisms and their environments, including ecosystems and symbiotic relationships.

Evolution

The process of evolution as the central theme that explains the diversity and unity of life.

Biosphere

All life on Earth and the places where life exists.

Ecosystems

All living things in a particular area, along with non-living components like soil, water, and light.

Communities

All organisms living in a particular ecosystem.

Populations

Individuals of a species living in a specific area.

Organisms

Individual living things.

Organs

Body parts made up of multiple tissues with specific functions.

Tissues

Groups of cells working together.

Cells

The fundamental unit of life.

Organelles

Specialized units within cells performing specific functions.

Molecules

Chemical structures consisting of two or more atoms.

Reductionism

Breaking down complex systems into simpler components for study.

Emergent Properties

New properties that arise at each level of biological organization due to the arrangement and interactions of parts.

Systems Biology

Complements reductionism by studying the interactions within biological systems to understand emergent properties.

Prokaryotic Cells

Lack a nucleus and membrane-enclosed organelles, generally smaller.

Eukaryotic Cells

Contain membrane-enclosed organelles, including a nucleus, and are generally larger.

Genes

Units of inheritance passed from parents to offspring.

Gene Expression

Involves transcribing DNA into mRNA, which is then translated into proteins.

Genome

The complete set of genetic instructions in an organism.

Genomics

Studying whole sets of genes.

Proteomics

Focuses on sets of proteins and their properties.

Consumers

Organisms that feed on producers or other consumers.

Decomposers

Break down dead organisms and waste products, returning chemical elements to the soil.

Evolution

Explains the unity and diversity of life on Earth.

Descent with Modification

Species accumulate differences from their ancestors as they adapt to different environments over time, leading to both unity and diversity among species.

Natural Selection

This is the primary mechanism of evolution. It explains how individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the propagation of these traits in the population.

Bacteria

Most diverse and widespread prokaryotes, classified into multiple kingdoms.

Archaea

Prokaryotes living in extreme environments, also classified into multiple kingdoms.

Eukarya

Includes all eukaryotic organisms, divided into Kingdom Plantae, Kingdom Fungi, Kingdom Animalia, and Protists.

Kingdom Plantae

Multicellular eukaryotes that perform photosynthesis.

Kingdom Fungi

Organisms that absorb nutrients from their surroundings.

Kingdom Animalia

Eukaryotes that ingest other organisms.

Protists

Mostly unicellular eukaryotes and simple multicellular relatives, now classified into several groups based on DNA evidence.

On the Origin of Species

Darwin's book that introduced descent with modification and natural selection.

Inquiry

Searching for information and explanations of natural phenomena.

Data

Recorded observations and the basis of scientific inquiry.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive observations.

Quantitative Data

Numerical measurements, often organized into tables or graphs.

Inductive Reasoning

Deriving generalizations from a large number of specific observations.

Hypothesis

An explanation based on observations and assumptions that leads to a testable prediction.

Deductive Reasoning

Logic that flows from general premises to specific results.

The factor manipulated by researchers.

Independent Variable

Dependent Variable

The factor measured, predicted to be affected by the independent variable.

Scientific Theory

Broader in scope than a hypothesis; generates testable hypotheses and is supported by extensive evidence.

Hydrogen bonds

Weak attractions between oppositely charged regions of water molecules that allow them to bond to each other.

Ice

Hydrogen bonds are stable, causing water molecules to be farther apart, making it less dense than liquid water.

Atoms

Consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Covalent bonds

Involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Ionic bonds

Result from the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, creating charged ions.

Reactants

Are transformed into products through the breaking and forming of bonds.

Chemical equilibrium

Is reached when the forward and reverse reaction rates are equal.

Cohesion

Water molecules stick together, aiding in the transport of water in plants.

Adhesion

Water molecules stick to other surfaces, helping water move against gravity in plant vessels.

High specific heat

Water can absorb and release large amounts of heat with little temperature change, stabilizing climates.

Ice floats

Solid water is less dense than liquid water, insulating bodies of water and protecting aquatic life.

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space.

Chemical elements

Pure substances consisting of only one type of atom.

Chemical compounds

Substances formed from two or more different elements bonded together.

Atomic properties

The structure of an element's atoms, including the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons, determines this.

Covalent bonds

Sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Ionic bonds

Transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

Hydrogen bonds

Attraction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom.

Van der Waals forces

Weak attractions between molecules.

Chemical reaction

Involves the breaking and forming of chemical bonds, resulting in the transformation of substances.

Cohesion

Water molecules stick together due to hydrogen bonding.

Adhesion

Water molecules stick to other surfaces.

High specific heat

Water can absorb a lot of heat before changing temperature.

Solvent properties

Water's polarity allows it to dissolve many substances.

Elements

Substances that cannot be broken down by chemical reactions.

Compounds

Substances consisting of two or more different elements combined in a fixed ratio.

Emergent Properties

Have chemical and physical characteristics different from their constituent elements.

Trace elements

Needed in minute quantities for an organism's survival and reproduction.

Atom

The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of its element.

Subatomic Particles

Neutrons, protons, and electrons.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different masses.

Chemical behavior

Atoms with the same number of valence electrons exhibit this.

Covalent bond

Involves the sharing of a pair of valence electrons between two atoms, forming a molecule.

Electronegativity

The attraction of an atom for the electrons in a covalent bond.

Nonpolar covalent bonds

Electrons are shared equally between atoms of the same element.

Polar covalent bonds

Electrons are shared unequally between atoms of different electronegativities.

Cations

Positively charged ions.

Anions

Negatively charged ions.

Ionic bonds

The attraction between oppositely charged ions (cations and anions).

Ionic compounds (salts)

Compounds formed by ionic bonds.

Hydrogen bonds

Formed when a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom is attracted to another electronegative atom.

Van der Waals interactions

Occur due to temporary regions of positive and negative charge in molecules, allowing them to stick together when very close.

Chemical reactions

Involve the making and breaking of chemical bonds, leading to changes in the composition of matter.

Chemical equilibrium

The point at which the forward and reverse reactions occur at the same rate, stabilizing the concentrations of reactants and products.

Water molecules

Have polar covalent bonds, leading to an uneven distribution of charge.

Cohesion

Hydrogen bonds cause water molecules to stick together, aiding in the transport of water and nutrients in plants.

Adhesion

Water molecules cling to other substances, such as cell walls, helping to counteract gravity.

Surface tension

Water has a high surface tension due to hydrogen bonds, making it difficult to stretch or break the surface.