1. Biological Themes Flashcards
What are the steps of the scientific method?
- Observation
- Specification of the biological question.
- Put the question in biological null hypothesis and alternate hypothesis with prediction.
- Put the question in the statistical form of the null and alternate hypotheses.
- Determine which variables are relevant.
- Determine if variable are quantitative or qualitative.
- Design experiments that control/randomize confounding (non-correlating) variables.
- Chose best statistical test based on variables and their characteristics.
- Do experiment
- Apply statistical test and interpret results with your hypothesis.
- Communicate results effectively with graph or table.
Difference between null and alternative hypothesis.
Null is the statement about a population parameter and alternative is a statement that contradicts the null hypothesis.
What should be the goal of a specific hypothesis, if it was from a specific species’ experiment?
The theory that results from it should be able to be applied across different species, potentially in mathematical model.
Difference between dependent and independent variable.
Independent variable is the one changes by the scientist and dependent is what you measure.
Define Variance.
It is a measure of dispersion defined as the mean of all the data points ( how far a set of numbers are spread out).
Discuss the importance of variability in biological experiments.
An experiment must be an observation/measurement that is replicated several times in identical conditions, The more samples you have, the more powerful and clearer your conclusion will be.
What are the three domains of organization of life?
- Bacteria (prokaryotes: normal bacteria)
- Archae (bacteria that live in extreme environments)
- Eukarya (4 main kingdoms)
What are the 4 main kingdoms of Eukarya Domain?
Kingdom Protista (all eukaryotes that are not animals, plants, or fungi) Kingdom Plantea Kingdom Fungi Kingdom Animalia
What are the 4 concepts of Darwin-Wallace Theory of Evolution?
- There is variation in the individuals of a population. 2.These variations are inherited.
- Members of a population will always produce more offspring than the environment can support.
- Individuals who inherited characteristics that fit their environment best will produce more offspring.
Describe how Natural Selection works.
Natural Selection works when there is a struggle for existence. Species with traits best suited for survival in the environment will breed more offspring with survivalist traits. If the environment changes, Natural Selection will result in adaptations to the new environment with newer species.
Describe the 4 steps and the parallel with natural selection and variance.
- Variation: there is a genetic variation within a population.
- Competition: there is an overproduction of offspring and that leads to competition for survival.
- Adaptations: Individuals with beneficial adaptations are more likely to survive to pass on their genes.
- Selection: over many generations, there is a change in allele frequency (evolution).
What are the 3 sources of genetic variation in a population?
- Mutations: changes in the DNA of an organism caused by meiosis errors
- Gene flow: Movement of genes from one population to another
- Meiosis itself: the process of reshuffling genes to give to the next generation.
Name 4 properties of water
- water cohesion (water sticking to water)
- water moderates temperature (hydrogen bonds need more energy to break than other imfs therefore water has high specific heat capacity)
- Ice is less dense than water
- Water is the solvent of life and dilutes/ neutralizezs
What are the 7 properties of life?
- Order
- Evolution
- Response to the environment (sensing danger)
- Homeostasis (regulation of body against changes in the environment)
- Energy required
- Growth and development
- Reproduction (DNA)
