What does biology seek to understand?
Biology seeks to understand the organization, information flow, energy and matter, interactions, and evolution that characterize living organisms.
What are atoms?
Atoms are the smallest units of ordinary matter.
What are molecules?
Molecules are chemical structures consisting of two or more atoms bonded together.
What are macromolecules?
Macromolecules are large molecules formed by the joining of smaller molecules.
What are the four major types of macromolecules?
The four major types of macromolecules are Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic acids.
What are carbohydrates used for?
-energy (ex: glucose)
-energy storage (ex: glycogen)
-structure (ex: cellulose in plants)
-cell identification (ex: carbohydrate chains on surface of red blood cells that determine blood type)
What are lipids used for?
-energy and energy storage
-structure (ex: phospholipids which make up the boundary of the cell called cell membrane)
-regulation (ex: testosterone a hormone with many essential functions to regulate body processes
What are proteins used for?
-structure (ex: collagen)
-protection (ex antibodies)
-catalysts (ex: enzymes)
-receptors (ex: dopamine receptors)
-regulation (ex insulin)
-communication (ex: neurotransmitters)
-Many more functions without them the cell would not function
What are nucleic acids used for?
-DNA: the genetic material passed down to offsprings with info on how to make proteins
-RNA: assist in the creation of proteins as well as many other diverse functions
What are organelles?
Organelles are functional components within eukaryotic cells that perform specific cellular functions.
Give examples of organelles.
Examples of organelles include the nucleus, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.
What is the cell theory?
-Smallest unit of life is the cell
-All life is made of cell(s)
-A cell must come from a pre existing cell
What are prokaryotic cells?
-Prokaryotic cells lack organelles
-smaller
-circular chromosomes
What are eukaryotic cells?
-Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
-larger
-linear chromosomes
What are tissues?
Groups of similar cells performing a specific function (e.g., muscle, nervous, connective, epithelial tissues).
What are organs?
Structures composed of multiple tissue types working together (e.g., heart, liver).
What are organ systems?
Groups of organs that perform a major function (e.g., digestive, nervous, cardiovascular systems).
What is an organism?
An individual living thing (e.g., a tree, a whale).
What is a population?
Members of the same species living in a specific area.
What is a community?
Two or more populations inhabiting a particular ecosystem.
What is an ecosystem?
Interactions between living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components in an area (e.g., desert, forest).
What is the biosphere?
The sum of all Earth’s ecosystems; all life and places where life exists.
What is order in the properties of life?
Highly organized structure, composed of cells.
What is regulation in the properties of life?
Ability to regulate internal environments (homeostasis).
