Biology Chapter 1 Flashcards

Organisms and Life Characteristics

• Organisms are organized genetic units with capabilities for metabolism, reproduction, and evolution, descending from a single-celled ancestor.
• Seven characteristics defining living organisms: single or multiple cells, genetic information, ability to reproduce, genetic relation and evolution, conversion of environmental molecules into biological molecules, energy extraction for biological work, and internal regulation.

Biological Processes

• Metabolism encompasses all chemical activities of an organism, involving energy extraction and molecule conversion.
• Homeostasis refers to the maintenance of stable internal conditions necessary for survival.

Cell Theory and Evolution

• Cell Theory states all cells arise from preexisting cells, share similar chemical compositions, perform most life processes, and replicate complete genetic information during division.
• Biological evolution, or natural selection, describes the process where living organisms evolve through differential survival and reproduction.

Species and Adaptation

• The Species Concept defines a group of morphologically similar organisms capable of interbreeding.
• Adaptation refers to inherited traits that enhance survival and reproduction in a specific environment.

Natural Selection Factors

• Three necessary factors for natural selection: individual variation within populations, differential reproductive success, and heritability of traits.

Genetic Concepts

• Mutations refer to changes in an organism's genetic material affecting evolution and heritability.
• Heritability denotes adaptations that are genetically controlled and passed on to future generations.
• Evolution is described as the change in genetic makeup of a population over generations.

Evidence for Evolution

• Evidence includes insect and antibiotic resistance, as well as industrial melanism observed in peppered moths.

Genetics and Molecular Biology

• A genome is the complete set of DNA within a cell, with all cells in a multicellular organism sharing the same genome.
• DNA conveys genetic information from parent to daughter cells through nucleotide sequences, which are the building blocks of nucleic acids.

Biological Organization and Community

• Organizational hierarchy: atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, biosphere.
• A community consists of interacting populations of different species, while an ecosystem encompasses interacting communities.

Photosynthesis Impact

• Photosynthesis led to atmospheric oxygen accumulation, the onset of aerobic metabolism, and formation of the ozone layer enabling terrestrial life.

Endosymbiotic Theory

• Suggests the evolution of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells that engulfed smaller cells, leading to symbiotic relationships.

Biological Structures and Cells

• Organelles are specialized structures within cells that perform distinct functions.
• Multicellularity arose due to cell specialization and the ability of cells to adapt to environmental challenges.

Domains of Life

• Three domains of life: Bacteria, Eukarya, and Archaea, with protists being unicellular eukaryotic organisms.

Scientific Methodology

• The scientific method, also known as the hypothesis-prediction method, involves steps: observation, questions, hypothesis formation, predictions, and testing.
• Inductive logic derives general conclusions from specific observations, while deductive logic applies general principles to reach specific outcomes.

Theories and Testing Hypotheses

• A scientific theory emerges from ongoing support for a hypothesis through consistent testing.
• Two approaches to test a hypothesis include comparative studies (analyzing natural group differences) and controlled experiments (manipulating variables while maintaining constants).

Variables in Experiments

• Independent variables are those manipulated to observe effects, whereas dependent variables represent the measured outcomes or responses.

Test your knowledge of key concepts from Biology Chapter 1 with these flashcards. This quiz covers the definition of organisms and the seven characteristics that define living entities, providing a solid foundation for your biological studies.