Key Properties of Living Organisms

Living organisms have a complex, coordinated structure built from cells, tissues, organs, and systems.

Living organisms react to changes in their environment. Plants bending toward light is an example.

Life creates more life.

Organisms get bigger and become more complex, changing as they mature.

Living organisms take in energy from their environment for all processes.

The study of living things and how they interact with each other and their environment.

Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen are found in all living organisms.

Oxygen makes up the most of our bodies, followed by carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen.

Biology includes many specialized fields like molecular biology, microbiology, zoology and botany.

Living things are composed of elements, including carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, etc.

Large molecules essential for life, formed by joining smaller units called monomers. Examples include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Small building blocks that combine to form larger molecules called polymers.

Large molecules formed by linking together many smaller monomers.

The process of joining monomers to form polymers by removing a water molecule.

Macromolecules made from amino acid monomers, essential for various functions like digestion, transport, and structure.

All living things are made up of one or more cells, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells.

A simple, single-celled organism without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles. Its DNA resides in a region called the nucleoid.

An extra protective layer found in many prokaryotes, providing structural support and preventing dehydration.

A sticky outer layer found in some prokaryotes, helping them attach to surfaces in their environment.

Flagella are tail-like structures that help prokaryotes move, while pili are hair-like structures used for exchanging genetic material during conjugation.

Hair-like structures on bacteria used to transfer genetic material during conjugation.

A form of bacterial reproduction where genetic material is exchanged between two bacteria through direct contact via pili.

Eukaryotes have a true nucleus, membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria and ER, and multiple rod-shaped chromosomes.

Plant cells have a cell wall, a large central vacuole, chloroplasts, and make their own food. Animal cells do not.

Eukaryotic ribosomes are larger (80S) and are attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.

An organism's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.

Living things are organized in a hierarchy, from atoms to the biosphere.

Specialized structures within a cell that perform specific functions.

A group of similar cells working together to perform a specific function.

A group of organs that work together to perform a major bodily function.

Single-celled organisms reproduce by duplicating their DNA and dividing into two identical cells.

Multicellular organisms produce specialized germline cells that develop into new individuals, passing on genetic information.

Genes provide instructions for cellular growth and development, ensuring offspring resemble their parents.

Organisms use regulatory mechanisms to coordinate functions, respond to stimuli, and manage stress.

Nutrient transport and blood flow are examples of internal functions regulated by organisms.

Zacharias Janssen is credited with inventing the first compound microscope in the late 16th century, although his invention was a simple device compared to modern microscopes.

Anthony van Leeuwenhoek, using his improved microscope, observed bacteria, yeast, blood cells, and tiny aquatic organisms for the first time, revolutionizing our understanding of the microscopic world.

A cell is the fundamental building block of all living organisms, whether single-celled or multicellular.

The unified Cell Theory states that all living things are composed of one or more cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and new cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Scientists use microscopes to study cells because individual cells are too small to be seen with the naked eye.

The nucleus is the control center of the cell, containing the cell's genetic material (DNA) and regulating cell activity.

Rod-shaped or spherical organelles with double membranes forming inward folds called cristae. Contains a thick liquid called matrix, which holds enzymes for the Krebs cycle and cellular respiration.

The nucleus contains DNA, the genetic blueprint of the cell. This DNA is organized into threadlike structures called chromosomes.

The nuclear envelope is a double-layered membrane surrounding the nucleus, with pores that allow for the passage of materials.

Inward folds of the inner mitochondrial membrane, increasing the surface area for ATP production during cellular respiration.

The thick liquid inside the mitochondria containing enzymes involved in the Krebs cycle and cellular respiration.

Cytoplasm is the gel-like substance that fills the cell, containing organelles and providing a medium for chemical reactions.

The cytoplasm supports cell shape, houses organelles, and enables the transport of molecules throughout the cell.

Mitochondria are the primary site of ATP production (cellular energy) within eukaryotic cells.

Mitochondria have their own DNA, separate from the cell's nuclear DNA, capable of self-replication.