Chapter 1.1 - Themes & Concepts of Biology

Biology

The scientific study of life

Life

A condition characterized by organization, metabolism, growth, adaptation, response to stimuli, and reproduction

Order

The highly organized structure of living organisms, typically made of one or more cells

Response to Stimuli (Sensitivity)

The ability of an organism to detect and react to changes in its environment

Reproduction

The biological process by which organisms produce new individuals and pass on DNA

Adaptation

An inherited trait shaped by natural selection that increases an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce

Growth and Development

The process by which organisms increase in size and develop according to specific genetic instructions

Regulation

Internal processes that control and coordinate biological functions

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions within an organism

Energy Processing

The ability of an organism to acquire and use energy to maintain organization and carry out processes

Autotroph

An organism that produces its own organic molecules from inorganic sources

Heterotroph

An organism that obtains energy by consuming other organisms or organic matter

Producer

An autotrophic organism that forms the base of a food chain

Consumer

A heterotrophic organism that feeds on other organisms

Asexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving a single parent that produces genetically identical offspring

Sexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving two parents that produces genetically diverse offspring

Atom

The smallest unit of matter

Cell

The smallest unit of life capable of carrying out all vital functions

Biological Organization

The hierarchical arrangement of life from atoms to the biosphere

Molecular Biology

The study of biological molecules such as DNA and proteins

Neurobiology

The study of the nervous system

Paleontology

The study of fossils to understand the history of life

Zoology

The study of animals

Botany

The study of plants

Taxonomy

The scientific classification of living organisms

Morphology

The study of the form and structure of organisms

Classification

The process of grouping organisms based on shared characteristics

Carl Linnaeus

The scientist who developed the modern system of biological classification

Domain

The highest taxonomic rank used to classify organisms

Three Domains of Life

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya

Phylogenetic Tree

A diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among organisms