Unit 1 Flashcards
(9 cards)
1
Q
What are the features common to all living organisms?
A
- Composed of cells
- Genetic material (DNA/RNA)
- Metabolism (chemical processes for energy)
- Growth and development
- Ability to reproduce
- Response to stimuli
- Homeostasis (maintaining internal balance)
2
Q
Why are viruses unusual?
A
- They are not made of cells
- They cannot reproduce independently, requiring a host cell
- They lack metabolism and cellular machinery
3
Q
Why is water special?
A
- It is polar, with a high specific heat capacity
- It’s a universal solvent due to its ability to dissolve many substances
- Facilitates hydrogen bonding, cohesion, and adhesion
4
Q
How is water used in the body of organisms?
A
- Transporting nutrients and waste
- Regulating body temperature
- Serving as a reactant in metabolic processes (e.g., hydrolysis)
5
Q
What does it mean for a molecule to be polar?
A
- It has an uneven distribution of electrons, creating partial positive and negative charges
6
Q
What are the features of polar vs. nonpolar molecules?
A
- Polar: Hydrophilic, dissolve in water (e.g., water, sugars)
- Nonpolar: Hydrophobic, do not dissolve in water (e.g., lipids)
- Biological relevance: Membrane formation and molecule solubility
7
Q
What was the Urey-Miller experiment?
A
Simulated early Earth conditions, producing amino acids from simple chemicals
8
Q
Why do we care about the Urey-Miller experiment?
A
It supports the idea that organic molecules could arise naturally
9
Q
Fill in the blank: The classes of macromolecules include _______.
A
Carbohydrates, Proteins, Nucleic Acid, Lipids
