Biology Flashcards: Characteristics of Life

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Questions and Answers

What are the 7 characteristics of life?

Responsiveness to the environment; growth and change; ability to reproduce; have a metabolism and breathe; maintain homeostasis; being made of cells; passing traits onto offspring.

How many of the characteristics must an object possess to be considered living?

All of the characteristics of living things.

What is homeostasis?

Homeostasis is a characteristic of a system that regulates its internal environment and maintains a stable, relatively constant condition of properties.

List each biomolecule and the elements found in each.

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur. Signup and view all the answers

List each biomolecule and all of their functions.

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids are responsible for energy storage, structure, and essential cellular functions. Signup and view all the answers

List the monomers in the polymers of each biomolecule.

Fatty acids are monomers of diglycerides and triglycerides; monosaccharides are monomers of polysaccharides; amino acids are monomers of polypeptides (proteins); nucleotides are monomers of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA). Signup and view all the answers

What is an enzyme? Describe the characteristics of an enzyme.

An enzyme is a protein molecule that acts as a biological catalyst. Signup and view all the answers

List the functions of enzymes.

The basic function of an enzyme is to increase the rate of a reaction. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the difference between prokaryote cells and eukaryote cells.

Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus; prokaryotic cells do not contain a nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelle. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of prokaryote cells and eukaryote cells?

Prokaryotes include bacteria and archaea; eukaryotes include protists, fungi, plants, and animals. Signup and view all the answers

List all the organelles and structures found in plant and animal cells and explain their function.

Cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, centrioles, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, lysosomes, microtubules, mitochondria, ribosomes, nucleolus, nucleopore. Signup and view all the answers

List ALL the differences between animal cells and plant cells.

Animal cells do not have a cell wall and are usually irregular in shape; plant cells have a cell wall and are regular in shape. Signup and view all the answers

List the 4 types of cell transport mechanisms and include their definitions.

Simple diffusion (passive), active transport (active, requires energy), osmosis (passive), facilitated diffusion (passive). Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characteristics of Life

Seven characteristics define living organisms: responsiveness to the environment, growth and change, reproduction, metabolism and breathing, homeostasis, cellular composition, and inheritance of traits.
All characteristics must be present for an object to be classified as alive.

Homeostasis

Homeostasis maintains a stable internal environment, crucial for organism function.
Derived from Greek terms 'homeo' (similar) and 'stasis' (stable).

Biomolecules and Their Elements

Key biomolecules are composed of essential elements:
- Carbon (4 electrons in outer shell)
- Hydrogen (1 electron)
- Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur.

Functions of Biomolecules

Major groups: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.
Functions include energy storage and structural support within cells.

Monomers and Polymers

Each biomolecule has specific monomers and polymers:
- Fatty acids → Diglycerides, Triglycerides
- Monosaccharides → Polysaccharides
- Amino acids → Polypeptides (proteins)
- Nucleotides → Nucleic acids (DNA, RNA)

Enzymes

Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts with three main characteristics.
Their primary function is to accelerate the rate of chemical reactions.

Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells

Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus.
Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

Examples of Cell Types

Prokaryotes: Bacteria, Archaea.
Eukaryotes: Protists, Fungi, Plants, Animals.

Organelles in Plant and Animal Cells

Organelles in animal cells and their functions:
- Cell membrane: semi-permeable outer covering.
- Cytoplasm: gel-like matrix for organelles.
- Nucleus: houses DNA and directs cell activities.
- Centrioles: assist in cell division.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum: network of membranes (rough and smooth).
- Golgi complex: stores and packages cellular products.
- Lysosomes: digest cellular waste.
- Microtubules: provide support and shape.
- Mitochondria: energy producers through cellular respiration.
- Ribosomes: sites for protein synthesis.
- Nucleolus: synthesizes ribosomes.
- Nucleopore: allows nucleic acids and proteins to move in/out of nucleus.

Differences Between Animal and Plant Cells

Animal Cells:
- No cell wall, irregular shape.
- Absent chloroplasts, smaller vacuoles.
- Central nucleus location.
Plant Cells:
- Cell wall presence, regular shape.
- Contain chloroplasts, large central vacuole.
- Starch grains present, nucleus often at the edge due to vacuole size.

Cell Transport Mechanisms

Types include:
- Simple Diffusion: passive, no energy, follows concentration gradient.
- Osmosis: passive transport of water.
- Active Transport: requires energy to move substances against the gradient.
- Facilitated Diffusion: no energy, involves helper proteins to transport substances.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the seven characteristics of life with these flashcards. Each card will help you understand what defines a living organism and the essential features that differentiate living things from non-living ones.