Biology: Chapter 1: Characteristics of Living Things

energy flows thru...

... communities of organisms

all organisms begin their lives as...

...a single cell

Growth of a nonliving thing is...

...external: it grows by adding on material to the outside of it.

Growth of a living thing is...

...internal: it grows by producing more cells

Metabolism

a combination of all chemical reactions that an organism uses to break down materials (or build them up like bones.)

species

a group of similar looking organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

unicellular organism

a single cell by itself that forms the entire organism

Asexual Reproduction

a single organism produces 2 offspring identical to itself (divide themselves in 2) without aid from another organism.

environmental factors (stimuli) that organisms respond to

air ,water, weather, temperature, any organisms in the area, etc.

extinction

all of the members of a species of organism have died

sexual reproduction

cells from 2 parents join to form the first cell of the new organism (sperms and egg.)

Carnivores Do Not Attack Many Elephants Going Down River to Eat Rice and Soft Corn Tortillas

cells, dna, materials and energy, grow and develop, respond to their environment, reproduce, stable internal environment, change over time

ecosystems

communities of organisms

multicellular organism

contain trillions of cells that are organized into tissues, organs, and systems.

evolution

how groups of organisms change over time (generations, longer periods of time)

organisms must also respond to their _____ environment in order to stay healthy and survive, and factors include water level, nutrients, and minerals inside the body as well as body temp. and hormone levels.

internal

single-celled organism growth and development

little development, grow when cell forms

Complex Chemistry

living things are made of large, complex molecules and undergo complex chemical changes. it is needed to carry out all functions of life.

heterotrophs

obtain energy from the foods they eat

scientific term for a living thing

organism

all living things are highly:

organized

Internal conditions must remain_____ when external conditions vary for homeostasis

relatively constant

stimuli cause a _____ from living things

response

plasma membrane

separates cell from its environment

stimulus

signal that causes an organism to respond Ex: fight or flight response, adrenaline

Cells

smallest unit of structure and function that is considered to be alive, DNA is copied and passed from parent to offspring. They are collections of living matter enclosed by a barrier known as the plasma membrane that separates the cell from its surroundings. Cells are very different from each other

reproduction is essential for the survival of the _____, not the individual organism. Also, each individual organism does not have to reproduce for the survival of the species as long as enough members do reproduce.

species

adjustments to internal changes help organisms maintain a ___________.

stable internal environment

energy

the ability to make things change. It powers life processes and provides organisms the ability to maintain balance, grow, reproduce, and carry out other life functions.

Development

the changes that take place during the course of an organism's life

Growth

the organism increases in the amount of living material it has and new structures are formed, taking on the characteristics of the species. DIfferent parts of organisms grow at different rates.

reproduction

the process by which living things produce new similar organisms (offspring.)

homeostasis

the process of maintaining a stable internal environment, and breakdown of it can be fatal. (keeping balance!) despite changes in the external environment

photosynthesis

the process that plants use to make their own food using energy from the sun

Natural Selection

the survival of the most well-adapted offspring who will then pass on the successful traits to their offspring.

DNA

the universal genetic code that is copied and passed from parent to offspring

multi-celled organism growth and development

undergo numerous changes during their lifetimes from a single cell to trillions. Living material amt. is increased and new structures form

autotrophs

use energy from the sun to make their own food they get energy from

Matter

used to build body and fuel life's processes

nonfunctional cells

wood or cork that is made up of cell walls (dead cells and pieces of dead cells.)

All living things:

• are made of cells • are based on a universal genetic code • obtain and use materials and energy • grow and develop • respond to their environment • reproduce • maintain a stable internal environment • change over time