Chapter 1: Classifying and Exploring Life Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is an organism?
An organism is a thing that has all the characteristics of life
What are the characteristics of life?
The characteristics of life are organization, growth and development, reproduction, response to stimuli, homeostasis, and the use of energy
What is a cell?
A cell is the smallest unit of life
What are unicellular and multicellular organisms?
Unicellular organisms are living things that are made of only one cell. Multicellular organisms are living things that are made of two or more cells.
How does unicellular and multicellular organisms grow?
Unicellular organism grows as the cell increases in size while multicellular organisms grow as the number of their cell increases.
What is reproduction?
Reproduction is the process by which one organism makes one or more new organisms
Why do organisms reproduce?
To continue to exist
Do all organisms reproduce in the same way?
No
All living things respond to changes in the environment. These changes are called stimuli. Give an example for both internal and external stimuli.
Internal stimuli: Eating when feeling hunger
External stimuli: Skin getting darker because of sunlight
What is homeostasis?
Homeostasis is an organism’s ability to maintain steady internal conditions when outside conditions change
Why is homeostasis important?
It ensures that cells can function
What is a paramecium?
A paramecium is a unicellular organism that regulates homeostasis through a contractile vacuole.
What does the contractile vacuole do?
A contractile vacuole collects and pumps excess water out of the cell
When does cells lose their ability to function?
Cells lose their ability to function when an organism cannot maintain steady internal conditions
What do cells continuously use to transport substances, make new cells, and perform chemical reactions.
Energy
Where did energy in most organisms originate from?
Sun
