Describe the structures of living things that help them function effectively in specific ways
How do physical and behavioral traits help animals survive?
Physical and behavioral traits help animals survive by allowing them to adapt to their environment, find food, avoid predators, and reproduce successfully
What are the key differences between a single-celled and a multi-celled organism?
Unicellular organisms are made up of only one cell that carries out all of the functions needed by the organism, while multicellular organisms use many different cells to function
What is the microbiome
A microbiome is the community of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that live in a specific environment
How do you know if a gene is dominant or recessive?
You can tell if a gene is dominant or recessive by looking at how it's passed down through generations, conducting breeding experiments, or using a Punnett square.
How do biotic and abiotic factors cycle in an ecosystem?
Biotic and abiotic factors cycle in an ecosystem through a process called biogeochemical cycling
How does the variation among individuals affect their survival?
Variation among individuals within a species increases their chances of survival by allowing some individuals to possess traits that are better suited to changing environmental conditions
How do single-celled organisms carry out all their life functions with just one cell?
Single-celled organisms manage to perform all their life functions within a single cell by utilizing specialized internal structures called organelles
How did microbes get there in the first place
According to current scientific understanding, microbes "got there" in the first place because they were the first life forms on Earth
How do you identify whether the trait is dominant or recessive?
If the trait is dominant, one of the parents must have the trait. Dominant traits will not skip a generation. If the trait is recessive, neither parent is required to have the trait since they can be heterozygous.
What are some examples of biotic factors in an ecosystem?
Biotic factors are the living organisms, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, that interact with each other and their environment in an ecosystem.
How do the structures and functions of living things allow them to meet their needs?
The structures of living things, from the cellular level to the organ systems, are specifically designed to perform functions which enable them to acquire the necessary resources like food, water, and shelter
What are some examples of common single-celled organisms?
Common examples of single-celled organisms include: bacteria (like E. coli), amoeba, paramecium, euglena, yeast (a type of fungi), diatoms (a type of algae), dinoflagellates, and cyanobacteria
So what are these microbes doing to me?
they help you digest food, protect against infection and even maintain your reproductive health.
Can a recessive gene become dominant?
No, a recessive gene itself cannot become dominant, but a recessive trait can appear as dominant due to new mutations that affect the gene, or if the other allele is lost or mutated, resulting in the dominant effect of the newly affected gene.
What are abiotic factors in an ecosystem?
Abiotic factors in an ecosystem are the non-living components of an environment, including things like sunlight, water, temperature, soil, wind, humidity, pH levels, and minerals
Why adapt?
It's the key to personal growth, problem-solving, and even happiness
How do cells in a multi-celled organism specialize to perform different tasks?
Cells in a multicellular organism specialize to perform different tasks through a process called differentiation
Does everyone have the same microbes?
everyone's microbiome the same? Yes and no. Each individual's microbiome carries out many similar functions, but the jobs are not necessarily done by the same microbial species in each person
What makes a gene dominant?
A gene is dominant when one version of the gene, or allele, masks the effect of another version, or allele. This means that only one copy of the dominant allele is needed to express a trait.
How are abiotic and biotic factors similar?
Abiotic factors in an ecosystem are the non-living components of an environment, including things like sunlight, water, temperature, soil, wind, humidity, pH levels, and minerals
How does an animal's different body structures relate to its ability to adapt to its environment?
An animal's body structure directly impacts its ability to adapt to its environment by providing physical features like specialized limbs, coloration, or body shape that enable it to access food, avoid predators, regulate temperature, and perform other necessary functions specific to its habitat
What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a single-celled organism compared to a multi-celled organism?
A single-celled organism has the advantage of being simple and able to reproduce rapidly in favorable conditions, while a multi-celled organism can grow larger
How do scientists map all the microbes?
Using ribosomal RNA sequencing, mass spectroscopy, and other sophisticated laboratory techniques
How are recessive genes passed on?
Recessive genes are passed on when both parents carry the altered gene (are carriers) and both pass it down to their child, resulting in the child having two copies of the altered gene, which leads to the expression of the recessive trait or disorder.
Is water a biotic or an abiotic factor?
Water is a non-living, physical and chemical part of the environment, making it an abiotic factor