· Bi0-110 Chapter 1 Key Terms
Atom: smallest unit of a substance; consists of subatomic particles.
· Biosphere: all regions of Earth where organisms live.
· Cell: smallest unit of life.
· Community: all populations of all species in a defined area.
· Ecosystem: a community interacting with its environment.
· Emergent property: a characteristic of a system that does not appear in any of the
system’s component parts.
· Molecule: two or more atoms bonded together.
· Organ: in multi-celled organisms, a structure that consists of tissues engaged in a
collective task.
· Organism: an individual that consists of one or more cells.
· Organ system: in multi-celled organisms, set of interacting organs that carry out a
particular body function.
· Population: group of interbreeding individuals of the same species living in a defined area
· Species: unique type of organism.
· Tissue: in multi-celled organisms, specialized cells organized in a pattern that allows them
to perform a collective function.
· Consumer: organism that gets energy and nutrients by feeding on tissues, wastes, or
remains of other organisms.
· Development: process by which the first cell of a new multi-celled organism gives rise to a
multi-celled adult.
· DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; molecule that carries hereditary information; guides
development and other activities.
· Growth: in multi-celled species, an increase in the number, size, and volume of cells.
· Homeostasis: process in which an organism keeps their internal conditions within tolerabl
ranges by sensing and responding appropriately to change.
· Inheritance: transmission of DNA to offspring.
· Nutrient: substance that an organism acquires from the environment to support growth
and survival.
· Photosynthesis: process by which producers use light energy to make sugars from carbon
dioxide and water.
· Producer: organism that makes its own food using energy and nonbiological raw materials
from the environment.
· Reproduction: processes by which parents produce offspring.
Atom: smallest unit of a substance; consists of subatomic particles.
· Biosphere: all regions of Earth where organisms live.
· Cell: smallest unit of life.
· Community: all populations of all species in a defined area.
· Ecosystem: a community interacting with its environment.
· Emergent property: a characteristic of a system that does not appear in any of the
system’s component parts.
· Molecule: two or more atoms bonded together.
· Organ: in multi-celled organisms, a structure that consists of tissues engaged in a
collective task.
· Organism: an individual that consists of one or more cells.
· Organ system: in multi-celled organisms, set of interacting organs that carry out a
particular body function.
· Population: group of interbreeding individuals of the same species living in a defined area
· Species: unique type of organism.
· Tissue: in multi-celled organisms, specialized cells organized in a pattern that allows them
to perform a collective function.
· Consumer: organism that gets energy and nutrients by feeding on tissues, wastes, or
remains of other organisms.
· Development: process by which the first cell of a new multi-celled organism gives rise to a
multi-celled adult.
· DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; molecule that carries hereditary information; guides
development and other activities.
· Growth: in multi-celled species, an increase in the number, size, and volume of cells.
· Homeostasis: process in which an organism keeps their internal conditions within tolerabl
ranges by sensing and responding appropriately to change.
· Inheritance: transmission of DNA to offspring.
· Nutrient: substance that an organism acquires from the environment to support growth
and survival.
· Photosynthesis: process by which producers use light energy to make sugars from carbon
dioxide and water.
· Producer: organism that makes its own food using energy and nonbiological raw materials
from the environment.
· Reproduction: processes by which parents produce offspring.
