Topic 1: intro to biology

Question 1

Define biology

Answer 1

• The scientific study of life

Question 2

What are the 7 properties of living organisms?

Answer 2

1) Composed of cells
2) Reproduction
3) Growth + development
4) Energy processing
5) Sense environment + respond
6) Regulation
7) Evolutionary adaptation

Question 3

How do plants absorb energy from environment?

Answer 3

• Autotrophs
• Photosynthesis
• Convert sunlight -> chemical energy

Question 4

How do animals absorb energy from environment?

Answer 4

• Heterotrophs
• No photosynthesis = use energy from food

Question 5

Define homeostasis

Answer 5

• Maintainance of constant internal conditions

Question 6

Define evolution

Answer 6

• Changes in inherited characteristics of organisms/biological population over successive generations

Question 7

Define biological hierarchy + its importance

Answer 7

• Study of life extends from microscopic scale to whole planet
• Important to understand biological organization = understand interactions

Question 8

Describe the hierarchy from biosphere

Answer 8

• Biosphere
• Ecosystems = communities + physical environment
• Communities = groups of different species living in same area
• Population = a group of organisms of same species living in an area
• Organisms

Question 9

Describe the hierarchy from molecule

Answer 9

• Molecules
• Organelles
• Cell
• Tissue
• Organ
• Organ system
• Organism

Question 10

Define the cell

Answer 10

• Basic structural + functional unit of every organism
• Contain chromosomes = genes

Question 11

Define genes

Answer 11

• Direct protien production = gene expression
• Transmit info from parent to offspring

Question 12

Define genome

Answer 12

• Entire genetic info in cell

Question 13

Describe prokaryotic cells

Answer 13

• No nucleus or membrane-bound organelles
• Bacteria + Archaea

Question 14

Describe eukaryotic cells

Answer 14

• Have nucleus with DNA + membrane-bound organelles
• Protists + Fungi + Plants + Animals

Question 15

Define taxonomy

Answer 15

• Carolus Linnaeus = Developed binomial nomenclature
• Name + classify species according to system of broader groups
• Domain > Kingdom > Phylum > Class > Order > Family > Genus > Species

Question 16

How is species name given according to binomial nomenclature?

Answer 16

Genus + characteristic property

Question 17

What are the 3 domains?

Answer 17

1) Bacteria = unicellular prokaryotes
2) Archaea = unicellular prokaryotes
3) Eukarya:
- Protists = unicellular eukaryotes = protozoa + algae
- Fungi = unicellular/multicellular = yeast/mushrooms
- Plants = multicellular eukaryotes
- Animals = multicellular eukaryotes

Question 18

Explain the 2 points of origin of species

Answer 18

1) Descent with modification = contemporary species arose from succession of ancestors + modifications along the way
2) Natural selection = Individulas better fit will survive + reproduce + population has more individuals with better traits

Question 19

Describe natural selection

Answer 19

• Evolutionary process = populations heritable variation exposed to environmental factors = favor reprodutive success of individuals over others
• Darwin said this causes ancestral species to split in 2

Question 20

Describe hypothesis-based science

Answer 20

• Inquiry asks specific questions -> proposing + testing hypothesis
• Process = observation > Hypothesis > Prediction > Test > Reject/support
• Hypothesis = must be testable + falsifiable

Question 21

Define scientific theory

Answer 21

• Broad in scope
• Generates new hypothesis
• Supported by large body of evidence

Question 22

Give the limitation of science

Answer 22

• Cannot address supernatural phenomena = hypothesis must be testable/falsifiable/repeatable