Chapter 1 Flashcards
(43 cards)
Biology
The study of life
Atoms
The basic units of matter
Molecules
atoms combine to form molecules, which join to form larger molecules called macromolecules
cell
the smallest, most basic unit of life
multicellular
containing more than one cell
the step by step of combining
tissue, organs, organ systems, organism
species
a group of similar organisms that are capable of interbreeding
population
all the members of one species in a particular area
community
the populations of the species and plants in an area
ecosystem
the community of populations that interact with the physical environment
biosphere
all the earth’s ecosystems
energy
the capacity to do work and it takes work to maintain the organization of the cell and the organism
metabolism
all the chemical reactions that occur in a cell
photosynthesis
a process that transforms solar energy into the chemical energy of organic nutrient molecules
homeostasis
a state of biological balance
what makes something living?
- Maintain homeostasis
- respond
- reproduce and develop
- have adaptations
reproduce
the ability to make another organism like itself
development
the process of the union of a sperm and egg into becoming an adult
genes
genetic instructions
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
dna provides the blueprint for the organization and metabolism of the particular organism
mutations
inheritable changes in the genetic informationa
adaptations
modifications that make organisms better able to function in a particular environment
evolution
the way in which populations of organisms change over the course of many generations to become more suited to their environments
natural selection
the process by which living organisms are descended from a common ancestor