biology

• taxonomy: the science of classification and nomenclature (naming)
• phylogenetic system: indicates evolutionary ancestry
• scientific name: genus and species
• linnean system of format: italicized or underlined, Genus (capital first letter), species (all lowercase)
• scientific names are universal, same in every language
• unicellular organism

  
• multicellular organism

  
• colony of organisms

  
• undulating membrane
• atom: basic building block of matter (made of protons, electrons, and neutrons)
• molecule: two or more bonded atoms (water, glucose, nucleotide, chlorophyll)
• macromolecule: large organic molecules

  • organic molecules contain carbon 4 major classes of macromolecules
• 4 major classes of macromolecules:

  1. carbohydrates (starch)
  2. lipids (triglycerides)
  3. proteins (gluten)
  4. nucleic acid (dna)
• organelles: small structures that exist within cells that carry out a specific function

  ex) chloroplast, mitochondria
• cells: the smallest unit of organization that can perform all activities required for life
• two types of cells:

  • prokaryotic: cells like bacteria
  • eukaryotic: cells like mesophyll cell
• tissue: cells interconnected to perform a specific function

  • nervous tissue: sends and receives stimuli
  • muscle tissue: movement
  • connective tissue: support and protection
  • epithelial tissue: covers body and organs
• organs: tissues working together to perform a specific function
• organ systems: organs working together
• hierarchy of life:

  1. biosphere
  2. ecosystems
  3. communities
  4. populations
  5. organisms
  6. organs
  7. tissues
  8. cells
  9. organelles
  10. molecules and macromolecules
  11. atoms
• organism: individual living thing (one bacterium, one plant, one fungus, one animal)
• population: all organisms of a single species within a specific area at a specific time (ex: school of fish, pack of wolves)
• community: an array of organisms within a specific area at a specific time (ex: all of the living species within an ecosystem)

  • does not include abiotic components
  • community interactions: predation, competition
• community specific area where a community is located
• ecosystem: distinct geographical location (similar biota and abiotic conditions)
• biome: any of the earths ecosystems (ex: rainforest, desert, lake/pond)
• abiotic conditions: nonliving aspects of an ecosystem that contribute to biotic success (temp, precipitation, soil/water pH, oxygen availability)
• biota: living components of an ecosystem (all species of bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, animal inhabiting the ecosystem)
• biosphere: all ecosystems on earth that support life (“sphere of life”)
• characteristics of life:

  • order
  • energy
  • processing
  • growth and development
  • evolutionary adaptation
  • response to the environment
  • regulation
  • reproduction
• cellularity: all organisms are comprised of cells

  • unicellular vs multicellular
  • prokaryotic vs eukaryotic
• reproduction: all organisms are capable of producing offspring

  • asexual vs sexual
• nutritional requirements: all organisms require nutrients (autotrophic vs heterotrophic)
• growth and development: organisms grow and develop according to specific instructions coded by their genes
• irritability: all organisms respond to stimuli (ex: light or touch)
• homeostasis: organisms require regulatory mechanisms to maintain a stable internal environment
• mutation: all organisms experience changes in their genetic material (dna)
• adaptation: all organisms experience the evolutions of features that better equip them for survival
• taxonomy: the science of classification and naming
• phylogenetic system: indicates evolutionary ancestry