Chapter 1: Biology and its Themes

Question 1

One of the attributes that we associate with groups of living things is the ability to *`

Answer 1

adapt by evolving.

Question 2

interacting group of individuals of a single type occupying a defined area?

Answer 2

population

Question 3

Emergent properties are novel properties not present at the level of biological organization just below. Emergent properties arise from the *

Answer 3

arrangement and interactions of parts as complexity increases.

Question 4

Which of the following statements best describes the phenomenon of “emergence”?

Answer 4

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Question 5

What is the molecule that is responsible for both the unity and the diversity of life?

Answer 5

dna

Question 6

How is the information encoded in DNA actually used by organisms?

Answer 6

The information in DNA is transcribed to RNA and then usually translated into protein.

Question 7

Which type of organisms within the domain Eukarya is composed of organisms that are generally unicellular (single-celled)?
Eukaryotic organisms that decompose dead organisms and absorb the nutrients are generally found in which kingdom?

Answer 7

protist

fungi

Question 8

Evolution tends to act at which of the following levels?

Answer 8

population
Evolution generally results from selection for organisms within a population that are best adapted to their local environment.

Question 9

With evolution as the core theme of biology, we can explain traits shared by organisms as evidence of __________ and traits that differ among organisms as evidence of __________. (Concept 1.2)

Answer 9

descent from a common ancestor … adaptation through natural selection

Question 10

Experimentation is only one part of the process of scientific inquiry, but it is a very important step because it __________.

Answer 10

allows rejection of hypotheses

Question 11

Induction moves from a set of specific observations (humans require organic molecules, fish require organic molecules, and so on) to reach a general conclusion (all animals require organic molecules).

If the animals observed require organic molecules as nutrients, then it can be concluded that all animals require organic molecules as nutrients.

Answer 11

Inductive: specific observations to generalization

Question 12

At which point in a study is a scientific investigator most likely to use deductive reasoning?

Answer 12

in establishing a test of a hypothesis

Question 13

A scientific theory is

Answer 13

a well-supported concept that has broad explanatory power