Bio 1.2 What is Life?

Organized (verb)

Arranged into a structured whole with certain characteristics

Six Characteristics of Life

1 Composed of cell(s); 2 Metabolize; 3 Grow, develop, & reproduce; 4 Use and transmit genetic material; 5 Respond to stimuli; 6 Adapt to environment

Organ

A collection of tissues that carry out a specialized function of the body (eg. brain)

Ecosystem

A community of living things that interact with the nonliving components of their environment

Homeostasis

A dynamic, continuous stimulus/response pattern that allows an organism to stay within a variety of life-sustaining parameters. (eg. maintaining body temperature between 97 and 100 degrees F)

Tissue

A group of cells of the same type that work together to form a specific function (eg. nervous tissue, epithelial tissue, muscle)

Population

A group of organisms of the same species living in a particular region

Cell

A microscopic, membrane-bound entity that contains DNA and can reproduce on its own. It is the fundamental unit of life and the smallest entity capable of carrying out all the requirements for life.

Asexual reproduction

A reproductive process that involves only one parent and produces offspring that are identical to the parent.

Sexual reproduction

A reproductive process that involves two parents that combine their genetic material to produce a new organism, which differs from both parents

Stimulus (noun)

A signal that evokes a reaction from an organism The signal is transmitted in the form of light, sound, pressure, motion, temperature, electrical, or chemical gradient

Biosphere

All life on earth

Organism

An individual living being composed of organs (or organelles) that work together to perform functions of life

Decomposer

An organism that breaks down dead organic matter or excreted waste products for the purpose of obtaining energy

Consumer

An organism that must obtain energy by consuming the cells of other organisms

Producer

An organism that uses photosynthesis to harnesses the sun's energy and store it in molecules that can be eaten and used by other other organisms

Biological Community

Multiple interacting populations in a particular region

Adaptation

The process by which populations of organisms become suited to changing environmental conditions as larger numbers of offspring with desirable traits survive to succeeding generations. Depends on genetic variability in the population.

Metabolism

The sum total of all chemical reactions in a cell or organism. It involves obtaining energy from an outside source, using it for various chemical reactions, and then releasing waste energy and unused chemical substances.

Reproduce (verb)

To create offspring and pass genetic information to the new individual

Develop (verb)

Undergo a series of changes that leads to more mature, advanced, or elaborate functions