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The Cell
The cell is the basic unit of life.
Common characteristics of cells:
cell membranea protective, soft and flexible covering
nucleusthe control center of the cell
cytoplasma jellylike fluid of important organic molecules
organellesspecialized structures within the cytoplasm
cell wallsupportive structure surrounding the cell
membrane (in plant cells)
chloroplastsorganelles that contain chlorophyll (in plant
cells)
Heredity
The study of genetics determines how characteristics are passed
from an organism to its offspring. The following structures and
processes all play a role in an organisms genetic makeup:
DNAa large, complex molecule in the shape of a double
helix (spiral) found in a cell's nucleus
chromosomea single DNA molecule that is made up
of genes, the coded instructions for individual traits
dominant geneone gene in a gene pair that determines
the effect of the gene pair
recessive genea gene that has no effect if a dominant
gene is present
mitosisthe division of a cell resulting in the formation of two
new cells, each containing the identical genetic information of
the original cell
mutationa change in a DNA molecule that creates a set of
Characteristics of Animals
An invertebrate is an animal without a backbone or a skull. More
than 95 percent of all animals are invertebrates. Some of the most
common types are listed below:
Animal Behavior
Behavior refers to activities that animals engage in to ensure their
survival or the survival of their species:
animal sensessight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch
biological timekeepingan internal biological clock that acts
to control natural behavioral cycles such as sleeping and
eating
navigationmeans of finding direction and distance
animal defensesrunning away, natural camouflage, a
protective outer layer or shell, an ability to fight back, and the
ability to play dead
social behaviorcommunicating, courtship, playing, and living
peacefully in a group
toolmakingthe knowledge and ability to make tools to aid in
life processes