The Building Blocks of Life
The four organic molecules that make up living organisms.
–Carbohydrates
–Proteins
–Lipids
–Nucleic acids
The basic structural unit of life.
Site of cellular respiration. Powerhouse of the cell.
Mitochondria
Does not involve the mating of two individuals. Offspring are genetically identical (clones) of the parent.
Asexual Reproduction
Movement of water from an area where it is more concentrated to an area where it is less concentrated
Osmosis
Made of four smaller units called nucleotides. Examples include DNA and RNA.
Nucleic Acids
In this process plants, algae, and other autotrophs use pigments to capture the energy in sunlight.
Photosynthesis
Contains the chromosomes, which contain the DNA
Nucleus
Normally involves two individuals. –Parents produce gametes that unite to produce a new, genetically unique individual different from either parent.
Sexual Reproduction
These organisms do not attempt to control solute/water balance. Their internal water concentration varies as the salinity in the water around them changes.
Osmoconformers
Made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio (example: glucose is C6H12O6). Most are used for short-term energy.
Carbohydrates
This type of cell typically lacks a nucleus, contain a circular ring of DNA, and are mostly unicellular.
Prokaryotes
Site of photosynthesis
Chloroplasts
The gradual change in the genetic make-up of a population over time.
Evolution
Organisms that control their internal concentrations of solutes and water. Can be done by secreting salty urine or using specialized glands to secrete salts.
Osmoregulators
This macromolecule does not mix with water. Used for long-term energy storage within an organism.
Lipids
Breaks down the carbohydrates within cells for energy. uses oxygen and produces carbon dioxide and water as by-products.
Respiration
A group of many tissues arranged into a structure with a specific function
Organ
The process by which the best adapted individuals are better survivors and more of their gametes, and their genes, will make it into the next generation.
Natural Selection
Regulates body temperature so it does not vary as much as the temperature of the surrounding environment.
Homeotherms
Composed of amino acids. Can carry out all chemical reactions, can be used as structural molecules, and many other important cellular functions.
Proteins
This type of cell typically contain DNA enclosed inside a nucleus, typically contain many specialized organelles, and can be unicellular or multicellular.
Eukaryotes
A group of organisms of the same species living in same habitat
Population
The study of evolutionary relationships between organisms. Biologists use structure, DNA, fossils, and other information to determine the relatedness of organisms.
Phylogenetics
Generate body heat metabolically but heat is rapidly lost. It matches that of the surrounding environment.
Ectotherms