BIO Week 8

Flashcards covering key concepts and definitions from the lecture notes on challenges of life in biology.

Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio

Ratio that determines the efficiency of nutrient transport and waste removal in cells; calculated as \frac{SA}{vol} = \frac{3}{r}.

Ectothermic Organisms

Animals that regulate their temperature through external environment, predominantly using behavior.

Negative Feedback Loops

Physiological mechanisms that maintain homeostasis by counteracting changes from a set point.

Endothermic Organisms

Animals like birds and mammals that maintain their internal temperature primarily through metabolic processes.

Homeostasis

The process of maintaining a relatively stable internal environment in an organism.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that lowers blood glucose levels.

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels.

Neuroendocrine Coordination

The interaction between the nervous system and endocrine system to regulate physiological responses.

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands that regulate various physiological processes.

Cell Membranes

Biological membranes that maintain the internal environment of cells and are crucial for life.

Essential Nutrients

Nutrients that cannot be synthesized by the organism and must be obtained through their diet.

Feedback Loop Components

Common components required for homeostatic negative feedback loops include sensors, effectors, and a set point.

Plant Hormones

Chemical signals in plants, such as ethylene, involved in regulating physiological responses like fruit ripening.

Acquiring Nutrients

Different adaptations across organisms for obtaining necessary nutrients from their environment.

Physiological Responses

Involuntary responses by organisms (e.g., sweating, shivering) that regulate internal conditions like temperature.

Behavioral Responses

Voluntary actions taken by organisms (e.g., seeking shade) to maintain homeostasis.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert sunlight, water, and CO2 into carbohydrates, providing energy for cellular functions.