Unit 3B Origin and Evolution of Cells

0.0(0)
studied byStudied by 0 people
learnLearn
examPractice Test
spaced repetitionSpaced Repetition
heart puzzleMatch
flashcardsFlashcards
Card Sorting

1/54

flashcard set

Earn XP

Description and Tags

Study Analytics
Name
Mastery
Learn
Test
Matching
Spaced

No study sessions yet.

55 Terms

1
New cards
70s ribosome

A smaller type of ribosome found in prokaryotic cells and mitochondria, consisting of a 50S large subunit and a 30S small subunit.

2
New cards
aerobic respiration

A metabolic process that uses oxygen to convert glucose into ATP, releasing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts

3
New cards
amphipathic

Describes a molecule that has both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) regions, such as phospholipids in cell membranes.

4
New cards
anabolic reaction

A metabolic process that builds complex molecules from simpler ones, often requiring energy input, such as protein synthesis.

5
New cards
anaerobic respiration

A metabolic process that generates energy in the absence of oxygen by breaking down glucose or other molecules.

6
New cards
archaea

A domain of single-celled microorganisms that are genetically distinct from bacteria and often thrive in extreme environments.

7
New cards
atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding a planet, essential for maintaining life and climate on Earth.

8
New cards
autotroph

An organism that produces its own food using light (photoautotroph) or chemical energy (chemoautotroph).

9
New cards
bacteria

A domain of prokaryotic microorganisms characterized by a lack of a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

10
New cards
biomarker

A molecule or substance that provides evidence of life, past or present, such as lipids or isotopic signatures.

11
New cards
capsule

A protective outer layer surrounding some bacteria, often made of polysaccharides, aiding in protection and attachment.

12
New cards
carbon compound

A molecule that contains carbon atoms, typically forming the basis of organic life, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

13
New cards
catalyst

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed, often reducing the activation energy needed.

14
New cards
cell

The smallest unit of life, capable of carrying out all essential biological functions.

15
New cards
cell wall

A rigid structure surrounding the cell membrane in plants, fungi, bacteria, and some archaea, providing support and protection.

16
New cards
chemoautotroph

An organism that obtains energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules and uses carbon dioxide as a carbon source.

17
New cards
cytoplasm

The gel-like substance within a cell, containing the organelles and the cytosol, where metabolic processes occur.

18
New cards
deductive reasoning

A logical process where conclusions are drawn from general principles or premises.

19
New cards
domain

The highest taxonomic rank in biological classification, consisting of Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

20
New cards
eukarya

A domain of life consisting of organisms with eukaryotic cells, characterized by a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

21
New cards
eukaryotic

Refers to cells that have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

22
New cards
extraplanetary

Relating to or originating from outside Earth or its atmosphere.

23
New cards
extremophile

An organism that thrives in extreme environmental conditions, such as high temperature or acidity.

24
New cards
fatty acid

A long hydrocarbon chain with a carboxylic acid group at one end, often found in lipids.

25
New cards
flagellum

A whip-like structure that enables movement in certain cells, such as bacteria and sperm.

26
New cards
hydrothermal vent

An opening on the seafloor that emits hot, mineral-rich water, providing energy sources for unique ecosystems.

27
New cards
inorganic molecule

A molecule that is not carbon-based, such as water, salts, and metals.

28
New cards
isotope

Variants of an element with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons in the nucleus.

29
New cards
LUCA

An acronym for "Last Universal Common Ancestor," the most recent common ancestor of all current life on Earth.

30
New cards
methanogenesis

process where microorganisms produce methane as a byproduct of energy metabolism.

31
New cards
micelle

A spherical structure formed by amphipathic molecules in water, with hydrophilic heads outward and hydrophobic tails inward.

32
New cards
micrograph

An image or photograph taken through a microscope to show a magnified view of a specimen.

33
New cards
Miller-Urey experiment

An experiment that simulated early Earth conditions to demonstrate the possible abiotic synthesis of organic molecules.

34
New cards
molecular clock

A method for estimating the evolutionary time between species based on the mutation rates of biomolecules.

35
New cards
monomer

A single, simple molecule that can bind with others to form a polymer, such as amino acids or nucleotides.

36
New cards
naked DNA

DNA that is not associated with proteins, such as histones, typically found in prokaryotes.

37
New cards
nucleoid

A region in prokaryotic cells where the DNA is concentrated, not surrounded by a membrane.

38
New cards
organic molecule

A carbon-based molecule, often associated with living organisms, including carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.

39
New cards
photoautotroph

An organism that uses light energy to synthesize food from carbon dioxide, like plants and algae.

40
New cards
pili

Hair-like structures on the surface of some bacteria used for attachment or exchange of genetic material during conjugation.

41
New cards
plasma membrane

The lipid bilayer that encloses the cell, controlling the movement of substances in and out.

42
New cards
plasmid

A small circular DNA molecule in bacteria that replicates independently of chromosomal DNA.

43
New cards
polymer

A large molecule made by linking together multiple monomers, such as proteins or DNA.

44
New cards
polymerization

The chemical process of joining monomers to form a polymer.

45
New cards
pre-biotic

Referring to the conditions or substances present before the emergence of life on Earth.

46
New cards
prokaryotic

Describes cells without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, such as bacteria and archaea.

47
New cards
protocell

A hypothetical early cell-like structure that may have been a precursor to modern cells.

48
New cards
reducing atmosphere

An early Earth atmosphere with little or no oxygen, rich in hydrogen and other reducing gases.

49
New cards
ribozyme

An RNA molecule capable of catalyzing specific biochemical reactions, such as cutting RNA strands.

50
New cards
RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a molecule essential for protein synthesis and carrying genetic information in some viruses.

51
New cards
self-replicate

The ability of a molecule or organism to make a copy of itself without external assistance.

52
New cards
self-sustaining

Describes a system or organism capable of maintaining itself without external input.

53
New cards
stromatolite

Layered, fossilized structures formed by the activity of microbial communities, often cyanobacteria.

54
New cards
ultrastructure

The detailed structure of a cell, observable only with an electron microscope.

55
New cards
vesicle

A small, membrane-bound sac in cells used for storage or transport of substances.