Inquiry Into Life by Sylvia S. Mader and Michael Windelspecht (15th edition) Introduction Terms/Definitions

What are the 6 characteristics of life?

(1) is organized

(2) requires materials and energy

(3) has the ability to reproduce and develop

(4) responds to stimuli

(5) is homeostatic

(6) has the capacity to adapt to their environment

Atoms join together to form ______.

molecules

Molecule

Union of two or more atoms of the same or different elements.

Atom

Smallest unit of an element; composed of electrons, protons, and neutrons.

Eukaryotes are currently classified into _____, _____, _____, _____.

Protista, fungi, plantae, animalia

cell

Smallest unit of life, the structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

Tissue

A group of similar cells that perform a specific function, a group of cells with a common structure and function.

Organ

Composed of several tissues functioning together for a specific task.

Several tissues joined together form an

Organ

Organs work together to create an

Organ system

Organ system

Composed of tissues functioning together for a specific task.

Species

A group of interbreeding organisms.

Community

Interacting populations in a particular area.

Population

Organisms of the same species in a particular area.

Ecosystem

Interacting populations, a community plus the physical environment.

Biosphere

Regions of Earth'a crust, waters, and atmosphere inhabited by living organisms.

Energy

The capacity to work.

Metabolism

Describes all of the chemical reactions that occur in a cell.

The sun is the

Ultimate source of energy for nearly all life on earth

Photosynthesis

A process that transforms solar energy into the chemical energy of organic nutrient molecules.

__________ between organisms defined how an ecosystem functions.

The energy and chemical flow

Reproduction

To make another organism like itself.

_____, ______, ______ simply split into two.

Bacteria, protists, and other single-celled organisms

Development

Change

Change

Development

Genes

Genetic instructions

Genes are made of_____.

Long DNA molecules

DNA

deoxyribonuleic acid

Mutations

Inheritable changes in the genetic information.

How do organisms often respond to stimuli?

By moving towards or away from a stimulus.

A large part of behavior is _____.

response to stimuli

Homeostasis

"staying the same" (in the case of an organism it means relatively constant)

Adaptations

When offspring possess certain features that make them better suited to the new environment.

Evolution

The change in the frequency of traits in populations and species.

Population

All the members of a species within a particular area.

Natural selection

Differential reproductive success.

Systematics

The study of the evolutionary relationships between organisms.

Several basic classification categories

(1) domain

(2) kingdom

(3) phylum

(4) class

(5) order

(6) family

(7) genus

(8) species

The most inclusive classification category

Domains

The least inclusive classification category

Species

basic classification categories are also called

Taxa

Taxa

Basic classification categories

Protista

Complex single cell, some multicellular

Fungi

Some single-cell, most multicellular filamentous forms with specialized complex cells.

Plantae

Multicellular form with specialized complex cells.

Animalia

Multicellular form with specialized complex cells.

Examples of Animalia

Invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals.

Examples of Plantae

Mosses, ferns, nonwoody and woody flowering plants.

Examples of Fungi

Molds, yeasts, and mushrooms.

Examples of Protista

Protozoans, algae, water molds, and slime molds.

Domain Archaea

Capable of living in extreme environments.

Domain Bacteria

Can be found nearly everywhere.

Domain eukaryotes contains ______ . (4)

Protista, fungi, plantae, animalia.

The genes of eukaryotes are found in _____.

The nucleus.

Plants are

Multicellular photosynthesizers

Animals are

Multicellular and ingest their food.

Homo sapiens

Humans

Pisum sativum

Garden pea

Binomial

Two-part name

Only the ____ is capitalized.

Genus

Classification of Humans (8)

(1) Domain Eukarya

(2) Kingdom Animalia

(3) Phylum Chordata

(4) Class Mammalia

(5) Order Primates

(6) Family Hominidae

(7) Genus Homo

(8) Species Homo sapiens

Domain Eukarya

Cells with nuclei

Kingdom Animalia

Multicellular, motile, ingestion of food

Phylum Chordata

Dorsal supporting rod and nerve cord

Class Mammalia

Hair, mammoth glands

Order Primates

Adapted to climb trees

Family Homindae

Adapted to walk erect

Genus Homo

Large brain, tool use

Species Homo sapiens

Body characteristics similar to modern humans

Cytology

The study of cells

Anatomy

The study of structure

Physiology

The study of function

Botany

The study of plants

Zoology

The study of animald

Genetics

The study of heredity

Ecology

The study of the interrelationships between organisms and their environment.

Scientific method

A standard series of steps used in gaining new knowledge that is widely accepted among scientists. Acts as a guideline.

Observation

A formal way of watching the natural world.

Inductive reasoning

When a person uses creative thinking to combine isolated facts into a cohesive whole.

Hypothesis

An informed statement that can be tested in a manner suits to the processes of science. NOT A GUESS.

Experiment

Series of procedures used to test a hypothesis.

Deductive reasoning

"If, then" logic. Example: "If oil is flammable and does not interact with water than oil can burn even when covered with or on water.

Prediction

An expected outcome

Experimental design

The manner in which a scientist intends to conducts an experiment.

Experimental variable

Independent variable, factor of the experiment being tested.

Responding variable

Dependent variable, Result or change that occurs due to the experiment variable.

Test group

Exposed to the experimental variable.

Control group

NOT exposed to the experimental variable.

Data

Results, can be presented in many forms including tables and graphs.

Graph show ____.

The relationship between two quantities.

Probability factor

P

Scientific theories

Concepts that join together well-supported and related hypotheses.

Theory (scientific)

Supported by a broad range of observations, experiments, and data.

What are 3 basic theories of biology?

(1) All organisms are composed of cells, and new cells only come from preexisting cells.

(2) The internal environment of an organism stays relatively constant-within a range that is protective of life.

(3) A change in the frequency of traits that affect reproductive success in the population or species across generations.

Example of the Scientific Method

State Hypothesis

Perform Experiment

Collect Data

Technology

The application of scientific knowledge to the interests of humans.

Biodiversity

Is the total number and relative abundance of species, the variability of their genes, and the different ecosystems in which they live.

Extincition

The death of a species or larger classification category.

Emerging diseases

Relatively new to humans

Climate change

Refers to changes in the normal cycles of the Earth's climate that may be attributed to human activity.