MODULE 2: LIVING SYSTEMS FROM THE BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Question 1

more than the sum of its parts -> organized into hierarchies with increasing complexity

Answer 1

system

Question 2

3 things common in systems

Answer 2

Consist of elements/structure/parts
interconnections/interactions
Have a function/purpose

Question 3

The more highly adapted an organism is to a specific environment, the more difficult it is for that organism to adapt to a different environment

Answer 3

law of specialization

Question 4

Analysis Paradigm

Answer 4

reductionist reasoning

Question 5

synthesis paradigm

Answer 5

systems thinking

Question 6

biological levels of organization of living things

Answer 6

atom-> molecule-> organelle -> cells -> tissue -> organs -> organ systems -> organisms -> populations -> communities -> ecosystem -> biosphere

Question 7

tries to gain understanding of a system by
breaking it down to its constituent
elements

Answer 7

Analysis Paradigm = Reductionist Reasoning

Question 8

tries to gain an understanding of an
entity through the context of its relation
within a whole that it is a part of

Answer 8

Synthesis Paradigm = Systems Thinking

Question 9

WHAT DIFFERENTIATES LIVING FROM NON-LIVING SYSTEMS?

Answer 9

living systems are organized into hierarchies with progressive specialization of functions;
only living things make the molecules of life; population - made of organisms of the same species living in a specific area -> community -> ecosystem ->
biosphere

Question 10

seven basic functions that operate at each and all levels of the hierarchy

Answer 10

energetics
behavior
development
evolution
diversity
integration
regulation

Question 11

energy and matter conversion
the causes, mechanisms, and consequences of metabolizable energy by biological systems
material cycles and energy flows involve interactions between living and nonliving components in a system

Answer 11

energetics

Question 12

patterns of behavior and development can be inferred at each level of organization
development at the level of ecosystem = ecosystem development or succession which is a common
way of how communities develop after disturbances

Answer 12

behavior and development

Question 13

net cumulative change in the characteristic of a population over many generations;
descent with modification

Answer 13

evolution

Question 14

the number of different species as well as the diversity of the genetic components within
a single species; can be observed at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels

Answer 14

diversity

Question 15

mechanisms that ensure that living systems will carry out the activities in the proper sequence and the proper rate

Answer 15

integration and regulation

Question 16

WHAT DIFFERENTIATES LIVING FROM NON-LIVING SYSTEMS?

Answer 16

living systems are largely open systems with purposes and goals;

Question 17

a system that interacts with other systems by having inputs or outputs

Answer 17

open system

Question 18

for the control of the biogeochemical cycles

Answer 18

feedback mechanisms

Question 19

increase in input leads to a decrease in output; decrease in input leads to an increase
in output –> this keeps natural cycles in control

Answer 19

negative feedback

Question 20

increase in input leads to an increase in output; happens when humans depart from the natural cycle

Answer 20

positive feedback

Question 21

examples of negative feedback

Answer 21

Temperature regulation.
Blood pressure regulation.
Blood sugar regulation.
Thyroid regulation.
Photosynthesis in response to increased carbon dioxide.
Predator/prey population dynamic.
control of blood glucose

Question 22

examples of positive feedback

Answer 22

Blood clot formation.
Childbirth.
Ripening of fruit.
Menstrual cycle