Biology Basics: Terms and Concepts in Molecular Biology and Cellular Processes, Quizzes of Biology

Download Biology Basics: Terms and Concepts in Molecular Biology and Cellular Processes and more Quizzes Biology in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 mechanistic DEFINITION 1 determined by physical processes alone. Physical processes and interactions of molecular parts determine the overall outcome of living organisms as opposed to vitalistic principles TERM 2 Vitalism DEFINITION 2 A doctrine that life is self-determined, governed by an intrinsic force that the laws of physics and chemistry do no completely describe. TERM 3 Molecular self assembly DEFINITION 3 a disordered system of pre-existing molecules forms an organized structure or pattern as a result of local, predicatble rules the molecules follow and without guidance or direction ex. - membranes (phospholipids) spontaneously form two layers - proteins fold in the absence of extrinsic factors - transcription/translation --> routinely performed in a tube TERM 4 emergence DEFINITION 4 new and more complex properties of a system appear at larger scales out of relatively simple interactions of various and separate parts interacting by LOCAL RULES ex. Biochemistry TERM 5 homeostasis DEFINITION 5 a condition caused by regulation of a system's internal environment towards the tendency to maintain a stable, constant condition. TERM 6 Signal reception DEFINITION 6 mechanisms to sense a stimulus or condition TERM 7 Positive feedback DEFINITION 7 mechanisms designed to accelerate or enhance a response that has already been activated. TERM 8 Negative feedback DEFINITION 8 mechanisms designed to bring output back into normal range by slowing or reversing a response TERM 9 First law of thermodynamics DEFINITION 9 Conservation of energy --> energy is not created or destroyed, but is rather transformed ex. growth --> chemical bond formation TERM 10 Second law of thermodynamics DEFINITION 10 Entropy --> unusable energy or disorder increases over time --->>Life requires energy to maintain order