Biology Flashcards
What is a law? Provide 3 examples.
- Predicts what WILL happen - the result
- Resists change
- Completes a task, though doesn’t explain why
- Very rarely change
E.g., Newtons 3 laws of motion. The Law of Conservation of Mass. The law of thermodynamics.
What is a theory? Provide 3 examples
- Provides the most logical explanation to WHY something happens.
- Multiple theories compete to explain something.
- New theories come with new discoveries - more likely to change from new evidence. (replacable)
- Can be used in conjunction with other theories.
E.g., Theory of plate tectonics. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Big Bang theory.
What is similar between Laws and Theories?
They both make predictions, support one another, are supported by evidence - validated, collect data and make conclusions.
Who came to the same conclusion about evolution and what does this prove?
Both Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace came to the same conclusion about evolution - it further proves the reliability and validity of the theory.
Define species.
A group of individuals that can reproduce VIABLE offspring - e.g., a mule is not viable.
What does VASRP stand for?
Variation
Adaptation
Survival
Reproduction
Population changes over time
What is the mimicking adaptation?
Prey take on the same colouration/phenotypes as predators/venomous animals. This allows them to avoid predation as original predators avoid them because of their looks.
What law did Alfred Wallace propose?
In 1855, Wallace proposed: ‘Every species has come into existence coincident both in time and space with a pre-existing closely allied species.
What is evolution?
Any change in the heritable traits* within a population across generations. IT IS A NATURAL PROCESS.
* Can be inherited/passed to subsequent offspring/generations via genes in DNA.
What is reproduction?
The duplication of DNA and passing it on to future generations.
What is DNA?
A chain-like chemical stored inside each cell which tells them how to grow and function. It contains coded information on how to build an organism.
How does DNA mutation occur?
When being copied, errors can occur which modify the DNA code - causing a change to the DNA code sequence.
What is natural selection?
The process through which populations of living organisms adapt and change to produce order and complex functions.
What is genetic variation?
The difference in DNA sequences between individuals within a population.
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid.
What is a phenotype?
The physical expression of genes for a trait. E.g., blonde hair.
What is a trait?
The features/characteristics of an organism.
What is the theory of evolution?
That all organisms descended from a common ancestor.