C H A RAC T E R I S T I C S O F L I V I N G T H I N G S

UNIT 1 VOCABULARY

CHAPTER 1 – CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE

1. Biology2. Organism3. Environment4. Cell5. Unicellular6. Multicellular7. Photosynthesis8. Cellular respiration9. Species

10. Asexual reproduction11. Sexual reproduction12. Growth13. Development14. Stimulus15. Response16. Behavior17. Homeostasis18. Adaptation19. Evolution

BIOLOGY

Definition:The study of life

Examples:MammologyDendrology

Word Part:Bio = Life-ology = The study of

Non-examples:GeologyArcheaology

ORGANISM

Definition:Anything that possesses all the characteristics of life

Examples:House Finch, Black-footed Ferret

Word Part:

Non-examples:Water, Air, Fire, Virus

ENVIRONMENT

Definition:Biotic and abiotic surroundings to which an organism must constantly adjust

Examples:Internal – blood cells inside organismExternal – leaf litter to rainforest

Word Part:

Non-examples:Just an organism without discussing abiotic factors

CELL

Definition:Basic unit of all organisms

Examples:All living things are composed of cells

Word Part:cell = small room

Non-examples:Tissues, organs, organ system, organism

UNICELLULAR

Definition:Single-celled organism

Examples:Amoeba, bacteria, paramecium

Word Part:uni = onecell = small room

Non-examples:Any multicellular organism: Northern Red Maple, Eastern fox squirrel

MULTICELLULAR

Definition:Organisms that consist of more than one cell

Examples:Blue whale, Red-tailed Hawk

Word Part:multi = manycell = small room

Non-examples:Amoeba, bacteria, paramecium

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Definition:Process by which autotrophs trap energy from sunlight with chlorophyll and use this energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into simple sugars

Examples:Any autotrophLight dependent and light independent reactions

Word Part:photo = lightsyn- = together withthesis = process

Non-examples:Any heterotroph

CELLULAR RESPIRATION

Definition:Chemical process where mitochondria break down food molecules to produce ATP

Examples:1. Glycolysis2. Citric acid cycle3. Electron transport

chain

Word Part:

Non-examples:Any autotroph

SPECIES

Definition:Group of organisms that can:1. interbreed 2. produce fertile

offspring in nature

Examples:Horses, donkeys

Word Part:spec = to see

Non-examples:Mules

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Definition:Type of reproduction where one parent produces one or more identical offspring without the fusion of gametes

Examples:Any bacteria

Word Part:a- = not, without

Non-examples:Any organism that reproduces with fusion of gametes

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Definition:Pattern of reproduction that involves the production and fusion of haploid sex cells

Examples:Any organism reproduces with fusion of gametes

Word Part:

Non-examples:Any bacteria

GROWTH

Definition:Increase in the amount of living material and formation of new structures in an organismExamples:Organism that increase in size, weight, and structuresFormation of deer antlers

Word Part:

Non-examples:Dying cells or organism

DEVELOPMENT

Definition:All of the changes that take place during the life of an organismExamples:A caterpillar that metamorphosize into a butterfly

Word Part:

Non-examples:Any changes taking place in a species

STIMULUS

Definition:Anything in an organism’s internal or external environment that causes the organism to react

Examples:Dehydration, Change of seasons

Word Part:

Non-examples:Stomata opening after sun rises

RESPONSE

Definition:An organism’s reaction to a change in its internal or external environment

Examples:Rising sea level

Word Part:

Non-examples:Burning fossil fuels

BEHAVIOR

Definition:Anything an animal does in response to a stimulus in its environmentExamples:Courtship mating, hibernation

Word Part:

Non-examples:Walking, sleeping

HOMEOSTASIS

Definition:Organism’s regulation of its internal environment to maintain conditions suitable for survival

Examples:Sodium-Potassium pump, diabetes, blood pressure

Word Part:homeo = samestasis = equilibrium

Non-examples:Feeding, drinking

ADAPTATION

Definition:Evolution of a structure, behavior, or internal process that enables an organism to respond to environmental factors and live to produce offsrping

Examples:Camouflage, Young immediate starts to run when born

Word Part:ad- = toaptare = fit

Non-examples:Hiding from predator, growing new cells in an organism

EVOLUTION

Definition:Gradual change in a species through adaptations over timeExamples:The length of giraffe necks as species

Word Part:

-tion = process

Non-examples:Any development of an organism