Exam 1: Fundamental theories of biology Flashcards

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1
Q

What three theories form the framework for modern biological science?

A
  1. The cell theory
  2. The theory of evolution by natural selection
  3. The chromosome theory of inheritance
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2
Q

What are the two components of the cell theory?

A
  1. All organisms are made of cells
  2. All cells come from pre-existing cells
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3
Q

What is the difference between a hypothesis versus a prediction?

A

A prediction says what will happen in an experiment if the hypothesis is correct. A hypothesis is a broader idea.

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4
Q

Explain Louis Pasteur’s experiment.

A

Two flasks were used that differed in stem shape: straight and swan necked. Both flasks had broth and were boiled for identical times to kill organisms. After sterilization, only microorganisms were found in the straight necked flask, which corroborated the all-cells-from-cells hypothesis.

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5
Q

How did the first cells arise?

A

Chemical evolution

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6
Q

What is a species?

A

A distinct, identifiable type of organism

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7
Q

What is evolution?

A

A change in the characteristics of a population over time

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8
Q

What is a population?

A

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at the same time

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9
Q

What are the two conditions for natural selection?

A
  1. Individuals must vary in characteristics that are heritable
  2. Versions of these heritable traits must help individuals reproduce more than other versions
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10
Q

Natural selection acts on _____. Evolution occurs in _______.

A

Individuals, populations

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11
Q

When does speciation occur?

A

When populations diverge to form new species

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12
Q

What is the tree of life?

A

A family tree of organisms that shows the relationships among species

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13
Q

What is phylogeny?

A

The genealogical relationships among all organisms

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14
Q

What is our first common ancestor?

A

LUCA (Last universal common ancestor)

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15
Q

What is vertical descent with modification?

A

Progression of changes in a lineage

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16
Q

What is horizontal gene transfer?

A

Genetic exchange between different species

17
Q

Horizontal gene transfer occurs mainly between which types of species?

A

Prokaryotes

18
Q

What are the three domains of life?

A

Eukarya, Bacteria, Archaea

19
Q

Which two domains are closely related?

A

Eukarya and Archaea

20
Q

What is the relationship between genes, DNA, and chromosomes?

A

Genes are segments of DNA. Chromosomes carry DNA

21
Q

Genetic information is encoded in _____

A

genes

22
Q

What is the central dogma?

A

DNA –> RNA –> protein