7 Characteristics
This process, which can be sexual or asexual, ensures that a species passes on its genetic information to the next generation.
Reproduction
This is the primary control mechanism for homeostasis, where the body reverses a change to return to a set point.
Negative feedback
Considered the fundamental unit of structure and function in living things, it is the lowest level of organization that can be considered alive.
Cell
Often called the "powerhouse of the cell," this organelle generates most of the cell's ATP through cellular respiration.
Mitochondria
The movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration is known as this basic process.
Diffusion
Organisms maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in their external environment such as regulating body temperature.
Homeostasis
When body temperature rises the body responds by dilating blood vessels and doing this to release heat through evaporation.
Negative Feedback
A group of similar cells working together to perform a specific function forms this next level of organization.
Tissue
This organelle contains the cell’s genetic material and acts as the control center of the eukaryotic cell.
Nucleus
Specifically the diffusion of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane is called this.
Osmosis
The chemical reactions in a living organism that build up or break down materials to release energy are collectively called this.
Metabolism
Unlike negative feedback, this type of feedback amplifies a physiological response until a specific outcome is reached, such as during childbirth contractions.
Positive feedback
The heart, stomach, and lungs are all examples of this level of organization made up of different tissues.
Organ
These small organelles are responsible for synthesizing proteins by translating RNA sequences.
Ribosomes
Unlike passive transport, this type of cellular transport requires energy (ATP) to move molecules against their concentration gradient.
Active transport
An organism pulling its hand away from a hot stove is displaying a response to one of these external signals.
Response to Stimuli
Shivering helps maintain homeostatic body temperature by causing rapid contractions of these tissues to generate heat.
Muscles
This broadest level of biological organization encompasses all ecosystems on Earth where life exists.
Biosphere
Plant cells use these green organelles to carry out photosynthesis.
Chloroplasts
When a plant cell is placed in this type of solution, water moves out of the cell, causing the cell membrane to shrink away from the cell wall.
Hypertonic solution
A caterpillar transforming into a butterfly demonstrates these two distinct processes: an increase in size and a change in form/function.
Growth and development
These paired organs in humans help maintain water balance and homeostasis by filtering blood and producing urine.
Kidneys
All the individuals of a single species (like white-tailed deer) living in the same area at the same time make up this biological group.
Population
This organelle modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for storage or transport out of the cell.
Golgi apparatus
Glucose and ions move down their concentration gradient through protein channels or carriers in this specific type of passive transport.
Facilitated diffusion