Lecture 1: Organisms & Their Environment

Question 1

Biosphere

Answer 1

all life and environments that are supported on earth

Question 2

Biome

Answer 2

major ecosystem types, usually characterized by climate and vegetation type

Question 3

Ecosystem

Answer 3

All the biotic and abiotic components of the environment in a given area at a given time

Question 4

Abiotic

Answer 4

Non-living components of an ecosystem

Question 5

Biotic

Answer 5

Living components of an ecosystem

Question 6

Community

Answer 6

all of the living organisms of all the different species that interact within a given area

Question 7

Population

Answer 7

a collection of individuals from the same species that interact within a given area

Question 8

Species

Answer 8

a group of biotic individuals that share the same characteristics and are compatible to interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring

Question 9

Organism

Answer 9

An individual living thing

Question 10

Give 2 examples of both abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems

Answer 10

abiotic: temperature and light
biotic: plants and animals

Question 11

What are 4 significant similarities between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Answer 11

Both E and P cells have…

1. plasma membrane
2. cytoplasm
3. DNA
4. ribosomes

Question 12

What are the 7 properties that characterize life?

Answer 12

1. Reproduction
2. Growth & development
3. adaptation
4. metabolism (energy conversion)
5. order and organization
6. response to stimulus from the environment
7. homeostasis (maintaining an internal environment that differs from the external environment)

Question 13

What are 7 abiotic factors that impact ecosystems?

Answer 13

1. light availability
2. moisture
3. gases (O2, CO2)
4. temperature
5. salinity
6. pH
7. Soil minerals and available nutrients

Question 14

What are 4 biotic components that affect ecosystems and vegetation types?

Answer 14

organism interaction through…

1. predator/prey relationships
2. mutualist relationships
3. competition
4. pathogens

Question 15

What is the basic unit of structure for the function and organization of life?

Answer 15

the cell

Question 16

What are significant differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Answer 16

Eukaryotic cells…

1. have a nucleus (that contains the DNA)
2. membrane-enclosed organelles
3. can be found within unicellular, colonial, or multicellular organisms

Whereas, Prokaryotic cells…

1. Do not have a nucleus, and therefore the DNA is not membrane-bound, but held within the cytoplasm
2. Do not have membrane-enclosed organelles
3. can only be found in unicellular organisms

Question 17

What are unicellular organisms?

Answer 17

An organism made up of one cell that must perform all the functions of life

Question 18

What are colonial organisms?

Answer 18

Organisms made up of a group of identical cells that can all survive independently because they can each perform all of the functions necessary for survival.
ex. N-fixing cells
photosynthetic cells in cyanobacteria

Question 19

Describe cytoplasm and its function

Answer 19

All of the organelles AND the cytosol (the jelly like fluid that suspends the organelles) inside the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells

Question 20

Describe cell (plasma) membrane and its function

Answer 20

a membrane that encloses a cell and regulates what enters and exits the cell.

Question 21

describe cell wall and its function

Answer 21

The cell wall surrounds the plasma membrane of all plant cells, prokaryotic cells, fungi (eukaryotic), and protist (algae) cells.
The cell wall provides additional support for the structure of the cell

Question 22

describe nucleus and its function

Answer 22

A double membrane bound organelle that contains the DNA and directs protein synthesis

Question 23

describe ribosomes and their function

Answer 23

Not organelles, but complex proteins and are involved in synthesizing proteins. They can be free in the cytosol or bound to the rough ER or nuclear envelope

Question 24

describe Golgi apparatus and its function

Answer 24

Series of flattened membranous sacs (looks like stacked pitas) which receive, modify, and distributes the proteins made in the ER to other locations.

Part of a system of organelles called the endomembrane.

Question 25

describe lysosome and its function. Are these found in animal or plant cells?

Answer 25

Breaks down excess or harmful molecules to remove waste, and breaks down food particles into smaller molecules ONLY IN ANIMAL CELLS

Question 26

describe mitochondria and its function

Answer 26

Looks like a kidney | double membrane bound organelle that conducts CELLULAR RESPIRATION to make ATP

Question 27

describe chloroplast and its function. Is this found in plant or animal cells?

Answer 27

Double membrane bound organelle that conducts PHOTOSYNTHESIS within plant cells

Question 28

describe central vacuole and its function. Plant cells or animal cells?

Answer 28

Breaks down wastes in plant cells but also fills with water and expands to help in the growth and structure of older plants

Question 29

What 3 things do plant cells have that animal cells don't?

Answer 29

1. chloroplast 2. central vacuole 3. cell walls

Question 30

What 3 things do animal cells have that plant cells do not?

Answer 30

1. lysosome 2. flagella 3. centrioles

Question 31

Define cellular respiration

Answer 31

A metabolic reaction carried out by the mitochondria in which organic molecules (like sugars and fats) are oxidized and then broken down to synthesize the ATP that provides energy for cells to perform their functions.

Question 32

Define photosynthesis

Answer 32

A reaction that is carried out by the chloroplast organelle in plant cells in which energy from the sun's light is converted into chemical energy in the form of food for plants (glucose/sugars). light + CO2 + water --> sugars + O2

Question 33

What are the differences between unicellular, colonial, and multicellular organisms?

Answer 33

Unicellular organisms are an organism made of one cell which performs all the functions of life for the organism to survive. Whereas colonial organisms are made of a group of identical cells that can live independently, as they can each perform all of the functions for life, but instead colonize together to create a single organism. Multicellular organisms are quite unlike unicellular organisms as they are made up of more than one cell, but also differ from colonial organisms because they are made of a group of distinct cells, rather than identical cells. In multicellular organisms, each cell performs a specialized function for survival and the labour is divided between them all.

Question 34

What is a multicellular organism?

Answer 34

An organism that is made up of a group of different cells that each perform distinct functions