10 Questions
What is the primary focus of the study of ecology?
The study of the interactions between organisms and their environment
What is the term for the specific role and position of a species in an ecosystem?
Ecological niche
What is the molecule that contains genetic information?
DNA
What is the process by which cells generate energy from glucose?
Cellular respiration
What is the term for the process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce?
Natural selection
What is the term for the history of life on Earth as recorded in fossils?
Fossil record
What is the term for the thread-like structures made up of DNA and proteins?
Chromosomes
What is the term for the group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area?
Population
What is the term for the process by which a new species emerges from an existing one?
Speciation
What is the term for the jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane where metabolic processes occur?
Cytoplasm
Study Notes
Ecology
- Study of the interactions between organisms and their environment
- Focuses on the relationships between living organisms (biotic factors) and non-living components (abiotic factors) in an ecosystem
- Key concepts:
- Ecosystem: a community of living and non-living components interacting with each other
- Population: a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area
- Community: a group of different species living in a specific area
- Ecological niche: the specific role and position of a species in an ecosystem
- Food chain: a series of organisms that eat other organisms, with each level being consumed by the next
- Food web: a network of food chains that show the relationships between different species
Genetics
- Study of heredity and variation in organisms
- Focuses on the transmission of traits from one generation to the next
- Key concepts:
- DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): the molecule that contains genetic information
- Genes: segments of DNA that code for specific traits
- Alleles: different forms of a gene that occupy the same position on a chromosome
- Chromosomes: thread-like structures made up of DNA and proteins
- Genotype: the genetic makeup of an individual
- Phenotype: the physical characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of their genotype and environment
Cell Biology
- Study of the structure, function, and behavior of cells
- Focuses on the basic units of life
- Key concepts:
- Cell membrane: the outer layer of the cell that separates the cell from its environment
- Cytoplasm: the jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane where metabolic processes occur
- Nucleus: the control center of the cell where DNA is stored
- Mitochondria: organelles responsible for generating energy for the cell
- Cell division: the process by which cells reproduce and grow
- Cellular respiration: the process by which cells generate energy from glucose
Evolution
- Study of the changes in the characteristics of populations over time
- Focuses on the processes that have shaped the diversity of life on Earth
- Key concepts:
- Natural selection: the process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce
- Speciation: the process by which a new species emerges from an existing one
- Adaptation: the process by which organisms adjust to their environment
- Fossil record: the history of life on Earth as recorded in fossils
- Homologous structures: structures that are similar in different species but have different functions
- Analogous structures: structures that are similar in different species but have different origins
Ecology
- Interactions between organisms and their environment involve biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors
- Ecosystems comprise living and non-living components interacting with each other
- Population refers to a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area
- Community consists of different species living in a specific area
- Ecological niche defines the specific role and position of a species in an ecosystem
- Food chains consist of a series of organisms consuming each other, with each level being consumed by the next
- Food webs are networks of food chains showing relationships between different species
Genetics
- Heredity and variation in organisms involve the transmission of traits from one generation to the next
- DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) contains genetic information
- Genes are segments of DNA coding for specific traits
- Alleles refer to different forms of a gene occupying the same position on a chromosome
- Chromosomes consist of DNA and proteins
- Genotype represents the genetic makeup of an individual
- Phenotype refers to the physical characteristics resulting from the interaction of genotype and environment
Cell Biology
- Cells are the basic units of life
- Cell membrane separates the cell from its environment
- Cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane where metabolic processes occur
- Nucleus is the control center storing DNA
- Mitochondria generate energy for the cell
- Cell division enables cells to reproduce and grow
- Cellular respiration generates energy from glucose
Evolution
- Evolution involves changes in population characteristics over time
- Natural selection favors individuals with favorable traits, increasing their chances of survival and reproduction
- Speciation results in the emergence of a new species from an existing one
- Adaptation involves organisms adjusting to their environment
- Fossil record provides a history of life on Earth
- Homologous structures share similar characteristics in different species but have different functions
- Analogous structures share similarities in different species but have different origins
Test your understanding of the fundamental concepts in ecology, including ecosystems, populations, communities, and ecological niches. Learn how living organisms interact with their environment and each other.
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