Unit 1: Why Biology?

Question 1

What is Biology?

Answer 1

The study of all living things.

Question 2

Three reasons for studying Science?

Answer 2

1. ) To increase logic skills.
2. ) To provide skepticism.
3. ) To be literate in today’s technology world.

Question 3

Characteristics of life

Answer 3

1. ) Made up of one or more cells.
2. ) Responds to stimuli.
3. ) Shows homeostasis.
4. )Acquires and uses energy.
5. ) They grow.
6. ) Reproduce, using DNA.
7. ) Are products of evolution.

Question 4

Major themes in Biology

Answer 4

Evolution: Organisms change through time, from earlier ancestors.

That all phenomena conform to follow the laws of chemistry.

All organisms are composed of one or more cells.

DNA is the genetic molecule that controls life.

Question 5

Principles underlying scientific inquiry

Answer 5

1. ) Natural Causality: Any phenomena that can be traced to natural causes, supernatural is not science.
2. ) Common Perception: We all hear, see the same to perceive natural events.
3. ) Uniformity in time/space: The laws of nature in biology do not change ever.

Question 6

What are the ordered steps in the scientific method?

Answer 6

1. ) Make a natural observation.
2. ) Develop a hypothesis (a trial idea).
3. ) Test the hypothesis with experiments.
4. ) Draw conclusions.
5. ) Report your findings.

Question 7

Whats the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?

Answer 7

Hypothesis: A working idea that explains the observation.

Theory: A well tested hypothesis that was found to be true.

Question 8

What can you do with a falsifiable hypothesis that you cant with an unfalsifiable hypothesis?

Answer 8

Falsifiable: One that can be proved false based on observations and experiments.

Unfalsifiable: An explanation that can not be disproved by any test/experiment.

Question 9

What are the components of good experimental design? (W/ Examples)

Answer 9

Control Group: All factors are kept constant, serving as the standard against the experimental group.

Experimental Group:

Variable: The factor that is varied or changed between the control/experimental group.

Repeatability: Being able to achieve the same results each time.

Question 10

What was Flemmings discovery?

Answer 10

He discovered Penicillin, which kills bacteria.

Question 11

What is Pseudoscience?

Answer 11

A false science, ideas made to seem scientific, but is made up.

Question 12

Levels of life organization in order

Answer 12

Biosphere
Ecosystems
Communities 
Populations
Multicellular Organisms
Organ Body Systems
Organs
Tissues
Cells
Organelles
Atoms and Molecules

Question 13

Three main subdivisions of Biology

Answer 13

Zoology: Study of animals.

Botany: Study of plants.

Microbiology: Study of microscopic organisms.

Question 14

Know the other branches of Biology and their meaning

Answer 14

Anatomy: Study of internal structure.

Physiology: Study of life functions (digestion).

Genetics: Study of heredity and variation.

Cytology: Study of cells.

Ecology: Study of interrelationships between organisms and their environment.

Question 15

Distinguish between Biogenesis and Spontaneous Generation

Answer 15

Biogenesis: That every living organism came from one or two parents before it.

Spontaneous Generation: The idea of living things to come from non living matter.

Question 16

Whats Redi’s contribution?

Answer 16

Disproved spontaneous generation, maggots from rotting meat.

Question 17

What did Miller/Urey contribute?

Answer 17

They showed that under the right circumstances spontaneous generation might be possible.

Question 18

The early earth conditions that made origin life possible

Answer 18

1. ) Early atmosphere was very different with alot of molecules to make organs live (no oxygen gas).
2. ) Lots of high energy sources (Volcano heat/Lightning).

Question 19

Whats the age of the oldest fossil?

Answer 19

3.5 Billion Years

Question 20

Order the microscopes from lowest to highest magnifacation

Answer 20

Stereo Dissecting Microscope: 30x (large specimen)

Compound Light Microscope:
40x-400x (cells)

Electron Microscope: 1,000,000x (microscopic organisms)

Question 21

The 3 domains of living organisms

Answer 21

1. ) Bacteria
2. ) Archaea
3. ) Eukarya

Question 22

Two basic cell types and their differences

Answer 22

1. ) Prokaryotic: Primitive cells with no nucleus and membrane bound organelles (Bacteria/Archaea).
2. ) Eukaryotic: Advanced cells with a nucleus and membrane bound organelles (Eukarya).