Chapter 1: Biology, Taxonomy, and Feedback

Question 1

Evolution

Answer 1

The process of change that has transformed life on Earth from its earliest beginnings to the diversity of organisms living today.

Question 2

Biology

Answer 2

Scientific study of life.

Question 3

Emergent Properties

Answer 3

A property that a complex system or collection of system parts has, but which individual parts do not possess.

Due to arrangement and interactions of parts as complexity increases.

Question 4

Examples of Emergent Properties

Answer 4

1. Photosynthesis occurring in the chloroplast cannot take place in a test-tube mixture of just chlorophyll and chloroplast molecules
2. Our thoughts and memories are emergent properties of a complex network of cells (we can’t just create artificial brains that easily).

Question 5

Reductionism

Answer 5

The approach of reducing complex systems to simpler components that are more manageable to study (especially in complex biological systems).

Question 6

Systems Biology

Answer 6

An approach that attempts to model the dynamic behavior of whole biological systems based on a study of the interactions among the system’s parts.

Question 7

Levels of Biological Organization

Answer 7

1. Biosphere (The Earth)
2. Ecosystem (All things in one area)
3. Communities (All organisms in one area)
4. Population (All species in one area)
5. Organisms
6. Organ Systems & Organs
7. Tissues
8. Cells
9. Organelles
10. Molecules

Question 8

Eukaryotic Cell

Answer 8

Subdivided by internal membranes into various membrane-enclosed organelles.

• DNA is enclosed within nucleus and is by far the largest organelle
• Most organelles have their own membranes and all are in the cytoplasm.
• More complex than prokaryotic cells

Question 9

Prokaryotic Cells

Answer 9

Cells where DNA is not separated from the rest of the cell by enclosure in a membrane-bounded nucleus.

Lacks membrane-enclosed organelles

Question 10

Which microorganism group(s) are prokaryotic or eukaryotic?

Answer 10

Bacteria and Archaea are entirely prokaryotic.

Question 11

DNA

Answer 11

Deoxyribonucleic Acid. The substance of genes and units of inheritance which transmit information from parents to offspring, contained in chromosomes.

Its shape is two strands arranged in a double helix.

Question 12

Nucleotides

Answer 12

Building blocks of DNA, abbreviated A, T, C,G.

Question 13

4 types of Nucleotides

Answer 13

Adenine
Thymine
Cytosine
Guanine

Question 14

Gene Expression

Answer 14

The process by which the information encoded in a gene is turned into a function. This mostly occurs via the transcription of RNA molecules that code for proteins or non-coding RNA molecules that serve other functions.

Question 15

Negative Feedback

Answer 15

Most common form of regulation of a process in which the accumulation of an end product of a process slows that process.

e.g. When a cell makes more ATP than it can use, the excess ATP “feeds back.” The process slows down.

Question 16

Genome

Answer 16

The entire “library” of genetic instructions that an organism inherits

Question 17

Positive Feedback

Answer 17

The end product speeds up its own production.

e.g. Clotting of blood during injury. When blood vessels are damaged, more platelets aggregate to seal the wound.

Question 18

Hierarchy of Biological Classification

Answer 18

From most broad to specific

1. Domain
2. Kingdom
3. Phylum
4. Class
5. Order
6. Family
7. Genus
8. Species

Question 19

Taxonomy

Answer 19

Branch of biology that names and classifies species, formalizes the ordering of species of increasing degree to which they share charateristics.

Question 20

The Three Domains

Answer 20

Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya

Question 21

Which domains are prokaryotes?

Answer 21

Bacteria and Archaea are all prokaryotic. Most prokaryotes are single-celled and microscopic.

Question 22

Which domains are eukaryotes? What kingdoms does this include?

Answer 22

All eukaryotes are grouped in domain Eukarya.

It includes 3 kingdoms of multicellular eukaryotes
1. Plantae
2. Fungi
3. Animalia

Question 23

How do the 3 multicellular kingdoms of Eukaryotes get distinguished?

Answer 23

Plantae - produce its own sugars and food molecules through photosynthesis

Fungi - absorbs dissolved nutrients from their surroundings

Animalia - Does neither of the two above.

Question 24

Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection

Answer 24

Individuals with inherited traits that are best suited to the local environment are more likely to survive and reproduce than less suited individuals.

Question 25

Natural Selection

Answer 25

Natural environment “selects” for the propagation of certain traits among naturally occurring variant traits in the population

Question 26

Inductive Reasoning

Answer 26

Derived generalizations from a large number of specific observations.

e.g. “The sun always rises in the east” or “All organisms are made of cells”

Question 27

Deductive Reasoning

Answer 27

Generally used after hypothesis has been developed. Goes from starting in general premises and leads to specific results that are expected if the premises are true.

Question 28

The Cell (and the 2 types)

Answer 28

Basic unit of structure and function for organisms. They are either prokaryotes and eukaryotes