age 1 of 70
C190 Introduction to Biology (WGU) Module 1
Living organisms are composed of 4 main categories of
molecules known as "the molecule of life". The 4 main categories
are: ......ANSWER........Lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic
acids.
Two main types of cells ......ANSWER........Prokaryotes and
Eukaryotes
Cells of prokaryotes ......ANSWER........Relatively small and
simple; they do not have any clearly defined compartments
inside of them
Cells of eukaryotes ......ANSWER........Include membrane-bound
organelles: compartments inside the cell that contain specific
groups of macromolecules and carry out specific cellular
functions.
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One of these organelles is the nucleus; it encloses the DNA within
the cell.
Abiotic ......ANSWER........Non-living matter
Biotic ......ANSWER........Living matter
Molecule ......ANSWER........Chemical structure consisting of at
least two atoms held together by a chemical bond
Macromolecule ......ANSWER........Biologically important molecules
that are technically polymers.
Polymers are made by combining smaller units called monomers,
which are simpler macromolecules..
Example of a macromolecule: Genetic molecule DNA that
contains the instructions for the development of all living
organisms.
Organism ......ANSWER........Individual living entities that survive
and reproduce as a unit
Atom ......ANSWER........A dense nucleus surrounded by electrons
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Cell ......ANSWER........Essentially a tiny droplet of water and
other molecules enclosed by a fluid "skin" or membrane.
The cell is the smallest and simplest entity that possesses all the
characteristics of life.
Emergent properties ......ANSWER........Characteristics of a system
that are not present in any of its component parts.
E.g. A car's parts disassembled are useless but, when assembled,
work together to perform a function
Microorganism ......ANSWER........Single-celled life forms. E.g.
Bacteria and protists
Organelle ......ANSWER........Compartments inside the cell that
contain specific groups of macromolecules and carry out specific
cellular functions. One of these organelles is the nucleus; it
encloses the DNA within the cell.
Life on Earth shares the following six of the criteria
......ANSWER........* Response to stimuli
, age 4 of 70
* Cellular organization
* Growth and reproduction
* Transformation of energy and material (metabolism)
* Multi-level organization
* Ability or tendency to evolve
Only some life forms eat others; producers such as plants do not.
Similarly, only animals (not all life forms) have a nervous system.
Homeostasis ......ANSWER........The ability or tendency of
organisms and cells to maintain stable internal conditions
DNA's role in an organism ......ANSWER........An inherited
molecule that provides recipes for proteins.
These, in turn, determine cell structure and function.
Scientific inquiry ......ANSWER........Hypothesis
Experimental design
Data collection
Drawing conclusions
C190 Introduction to Biology (WGU) Module 1
Living organisms are composed of 4 main categories of
molecules known as "the molecule of life". The 4 main categories
are: ......ANSWER........Lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic
acids.
Two main types of cells ......ANSWER........Prokaryotes and
Eukaryotes
Cells of prokaryotes ......ANSWER........Relatively small and
simple; they do not have any clearly defined compartments
inside of them
Cells of eukaryotes ......ANSWER........Include membrane-bound
organelles: compartments inside the cell that contain specific
groups of macromolecules and carry out specific cellular
functions.
,age 2 of 70
One of these organelles is the nucleus; it encloses the DNA within
the cell.
Abiotic ......ANSWER........Non-living matter
Biotic ......ANSWER........Living matter
Molecule ......ANSWER........Chemical structure consisting of at
least two atoms held together by a chemical bond
Macromolecule ......ANSWER........Biologically important molecules
that are technically polymers.
Polymers are made by combining smaller units called monomers,
which are simpler macromolecules..
Example of a macromolecule: Genetic molecule DNA that
contains the instructions for the development of all living
organisms.
Organism ......ANSWER........Individual living entities that survive
and reproduce as a unit
Atom ......ANSWER........A dense nucleus surrounded by electrons
,age 3 of 70
Cell ......ANSWER........Essentially a tiny droplet of water and
other molecules enclosed by a fluid "skin" or membrane.
The cell is the smallest and simplest entity that possesses all the
characteristics of life.
Emergent properties ......ANSWER........Characteristics of a system
that are not present in any of its component parts.
E.g. A car's parts disassembled are useless but, when assembled,
work together to perform a function
Microorganism ......ANSWER........Single-celled life forms. E.g.
Bacteria and protists
Organelle ......ANSWER........Compartments inside the cell that
contain specific groups of macromolecules and carry out specific
cellular functions. One of these organelles is the nucleus; it
encloses the DNA within the cell.
Life on Earth shares the following six of the criteria
......ANSWER........* Response to stimuli
, age 4 of 70
* Cellular organization
* Growth and reproduction
* Transformation of energy and material (metabolism)
* Multi-level organization
* Ability or tendency to evolve
Only some life forms eat others; producers such as plants do not.
Similarly, only animals (not all life forms) have a nervous system.
Homeostasis ......ANSWER........The ability or tendency of
organisms and cells to maintain stable internal conditions
DNA's role in an organism ......ANSWER........An inherited
molecule that provides recipes for proteins.
These, in turn, determine cell structure and function.
Scientific inquiry ......ANSWER........Hypothesis
Experimental design
Data collection
Drawing conclusions
