(Nelson, 2022), Chapter 1-28 | 9781319228002 | All Chapters
with Answers and Rationals
biomolecules - ANSWER: more complex molecules that living organisms can synthesize from simple
elements and compounds that are consumed
features of living things - ANSWER: ∙ a high degree of chemical complexity and microscopic
organization
∙ systems for extracting, transforming, and using energy from the environment
∙ a history of evolutionary change
∙ a capacity for precise self replication and self-assembly
∙ mechanisms for sensing and responding to alterations in their surroundings
∙ defined functions for each of their components and regulated interactions among them
plasma membrane - ANSWER: the periphery of the cell, separating its contents from the
surroundings; composed of lipid and protein molecules that form a thin, tough, pliable, hydrophobic
barrier around the cell
cytoplasm - ANSWER: the internal volume bounded by the plasma membrane
cytosol / intracellular fluid (ICF) - ANSWER: the aqueous solution of the cytoplasm between the
organelles
metabolites - ANSWER: small organic molecules that are intermediates in biosynthetic and
degradative pathways
coenzymes - ANSWER: compounds essential to many enzyme-catalyzed reactions
ribosomes - ANSWER: small particles, composed
of protein and rRNA molecules, that are the sites of protein synthesis
nucleus - ANSWER: the central component of a cell, containing genetic materials
nucleoid - ANSWER: the nucleus-like area in prokaryotic cells that contain the genome of the
particular cell
genome - ANSWER: the complete set of genes, composed of DNA
eukaryotes - ANSWER: cells with nuclear envelopes
prokaryotes - ANSWER: cells without nuclear envelopes
eubacteria - ANSWER: "true bacteria"; domain of life consisting of bacteria inhabiting soils, surface
waters, and the tissues of other living or decaying organisms
archaebacteria - ANSWER: "ancient bacteria"; domain of life consisting of prokaryotic bacteria dating
back to early times of life on Earth; live in extreme environments (extremophiles)