Exam 1 Flashcards
(401 cards)
Biology
The science of life
Cell Theory
The scientific theory that the cell is the basic unit of life, of which all living things are composed, and that all cells are derived from pre-existing cells.
Systematics
The scientific study of the diversity of organisms and their evolutionary relationships. Taxonomy is an aspect of systematics. See taxonomy.
Pathogens
An organism, usually a microorganism, capable of producing disease.
Protists
One of a vast informal group of eukaryotic organisms, primarily unicellular or simple multicellular; mostly aquatic.
Evolution.
Any cumulative genetic changes in a population from generation to generation. Leads to differences in populations and explains the origin of all the organisms that exist today or have ever existed.
Homeostasis
The balanced internal environment of the body; the automatic tendency of an organism to maintain such a steady state.
Biological diversity or biodiversity
The variety of living organisms considered at three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
Prokaryotes
A cell that lacks a nucleus and other membrane-enclosed organelles; includes the bacteria and archaea (kingdoms Bacteria and Archaea). Compare with eukaryote.
Colonies
An association of loosely connected cells or individuals of the same species.
Cells
Vary greatly in size and appearance, basic unit that all organisms consist of.
Plasma Membrane
The selectively permeable surface membrane that encloses the cell contents and through which all materials entering or leaving the cell must pass.
Evolution
Any cumulative genetic changes in a population from generation to generation. Evolution leads to diff erences in populations and explains the origin of all the organisms that exist today or have ever existed.
coccus (pl., cocci)
A bacterium with a spherical shape. Compare with bacillus, spirillum, vibrio, and spirochete.
Coenocytic
An organism consisting of a multinucleate cell, i.e., the nuclei are not separated from one another by septa.
Unicellular organisms
Some of the simplest life-forms, each consists of a single cell.
Multicellular organisms
May consist of billions of cells specialized to perform specific functions.
Plasma membrane
Every cell is enveloped by a protective plasma membrane that separates it from the surroundings external environment.Regulates passage of material between the cell and its environment.
Organelles
One of the specialized structures within the cell, such as the mitochondria, Golgi complex, ribosomes, or contractile vacuole; many organelles are membrane-enclosed.
Microvilli
(sing., microvillus) Minute projections of the plasma membrane that increase the surface area of the cell; found mainly in cells concerned with absorption or secretion, such as those lining the intestine or the kidney tubules.
Light microscope (LM)
consists of a tube with glass lenses at each end. Because it contains several lenses, the modern light microscope is referred to as a compound microscope. Visible light passes through the specimen being observed and through the lenses. Light is refracted (bent) by the lenses, magnifying the image. Images obtained with light microscopes are referred to as light micrographs, or LMs.
Taxonomy
The science of naming, describing, and classifying organisms; see systematics.
Classification
arranging organisms into groups based on similarities that reflect evolutionary relationships among lineages.
Binomial system of nomenclature
System of naming a species by the combination of the genus name and a specific epithet.