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Earth is home to a great variety of organisms, from tiny single-celled bacteria to complex animals and plants. It may be difficult, at first, to see what all these organisms have in common, but all life on Earth shares several unifying characteristics. All organisms share characteristics and abilities such as using and obtaining energy, maintaining a stable internal state and more All organisms consist of cells, and all cells share several characteristics that are essential to life. A closer look reveals that all organisms are composed of one or more cell, the building blocks of life. A cell is the smallest a specific part that allows it to carry out life processes. An organism may be unicellular or multicellular. All organisms must obtain energy in some form, whether it absorbs sunlight or ingest other organisms to gain energy stored in their molecules. Organisms and their cells function best at specific temperatures, ph levels, solute concentrations, and other conditions. They must keep levels from falling too low or rising too high. Almost all of the organisms in a species can reproduce. For unicellular organisms. Reproduction consists of cell division. Even single cells grow more massive. Multicellular organisms grow by dividing.
Earth is home to a great variety of organisms, from tiny single-celled bacteria to complex animals and plants. It may be difficult, at first, to see what all these organisms have in common, but all life on Earth shares several unifying characteristics. All organisms share characteristics and abilities such as using and obtaining energy, maintaining a stable internal state and more All organisms consist of cells, and all cells share several characteristics that are essential to life. A closer look reveals that all organisms are composed of one or more cell, the building blocks of life. A cell is the smallest a specific part that allows it to carry out life processes. An organism may be unicellular or multicellular. All organisms must obtain energy in some form, whether it absorbs sunlight or ingest other organisms to gain energy stored in their molecules. Organisms and their cells function best at specific temperatures, ph levels, solute concentrations, and other conditions. They must keep levels from falling too low or rising too high. Almost all of the organisms in a species can reproduce. For unicellular organisms. Reproduction consists of cell division. Even single cells grow more massive. Multicellular organisms grow by dividing.
Vocabulary!
Cell- A cell is a basic unit of life
Unicellular - An unicellular organism, such as bacteria, has as a single cell to carry out all life functions
Multicellular-organisms such as animals and plants may have trillions of cells with specialized functions within that organism’s life cycle.
Homeostasis-the tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.
Plasma membrane- a microscopic membrane of lipids and proteins that forms the external boundary of the cytoplasm of a cell or encloses a vacuole, and that regulates the passage of molecules in and out of the cytoplasm.
Ribosome -a minute particle consisting of RNA and associated proteins, found in large numbers in the cytoplasm of living cells. They bind messenger RNA and transfer RNA to synthesize polypeptides and proteins.
Prokaryotic -The distinction is that eukaryotic cells have a "true" nucleus containing their DNA, whereas prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus. Both eukaryotes and prokaryotes contain large RNA/protein structures called ribosomes, which produce protein.
Eukaryotes- an organism consisting of a cell or cells in which the genetic material is DNA in the form of chromosomes contained within a distinct nucleus. Eukaryotes include all living organisms other than the eubacteria and archaebacteria.
Organelle-any of a number of organized or specialized structures within a living cell.
Endoplasmic Reticulum- a network of membranous tubules within the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell, continuous with the nuclear membrane. It usually has ribosomes attached and is involved in protein and lipid synthesis.
Chloroplast -a plastid that contains chlorophyll and in which photosynthesis takes place.
The Golgi Apparatus - A major function is the modifying, sorting and packaging of proteins for secretion. It is also involved in the transport of lipids around the cell, and the creation of lysosomes. The sacs or folds of the Golgi apparatus are called cisternae.
Unicellular - An unicellular organism, such as bacteria, has as a single cell to carry out all life functions
Multicellular-organisms such as animals and plants may have trillions of cells with specialized functions within that organism’s life cycle.
Homeostasis-the tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.
Plasma membrane- a microscopic membrane of lipids and proteins that forms the external boundary of the cytoplasm of a cell or encloses a vacuole, and that regulates the passage of molecules in and out of the cytoplasm.
Ribosome -a minute particle consisting of RNA and associated proteins, found in large numbers in the cytoplasm of living cells. They bind messenger RNA and transfer RNA to synthesize polypeptides and proteins.
Prokaryotic -The distinction is that eukaryotic cells have a "true" nucleus containing their DNA, whereas prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus. Both eukaryotes and prokaryotes contain large RNA/protein structures called ribosomes, which produce protein.
Eukaryotes- an organism consisting of a cell or cells in which the genetic material is DNA in the form of chromosomes contained within a distinct nucleus. Eukaryotes include all living organisms other than the eubacteria and archaebacteria.
Organelle-any of a number of organized or specialized structures within a living cell.
Endoplasmic Reticulum- a network of membranous tubules within the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell, continuous with the nuclear membrane. It usually has ribosomes attached and is involved in protein and lipid synthesis.
Chloroplast -a plastid that contains chlorophyll and in which photosynthesis takes place.
The Golgi Apparatus - A major function is the modifying, sorting and packaging of proteins for secretion. It is also involved in the transport of lipids around the cell, and the creation of lysosomes. The sacs or folds of the Golgi apparatus are called cisternae.