Unit 1: Why Biology? Flashcards
What is Biology?
The study of all living things.
Three reasons for studying Science?
- ) To increase logic skills.
- ) To provide skepticism.
- ) To be literate in today’s technology world.
Characteristics of life
- ) Made up of one or more cells.
- ) Responds to stimuli.
- ) Shows homeostasis.
- )Acquires and uses energy.
- ) They grow.
- ) Reproduce, using DNA.
- ) Are products of evolution.
Major themes in Biology
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.
Principles underlying scientific inquiry
- ) Natural Causality: Any phenomena that can be traced to natural causes, supernatural is not science.
- ) Common Perception: We all hear, see the same to perceive natural events.
- ) Uniformity in time/space: The laws of nature in biology do not change ever.
What are the ordered steps in the scientific method?
- ) Make a natural observation.
- ) Develop a hypothesis (a trial idea).
- ) Test the hypothesis with experiments.
- ) Draw conclusions.
- ) Report your findings.
Whats the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?
Hypothesis: A working idea that explains the observation.
Theory: A well tested hypothesis that was found to be true.
What can you do with a falsifiable hypothesis that you cant with an unfalsifiable hypothesis?
Falsifiable: One that can be proved false based on observations and experiments.
Unfalsifiable: An explanation that can not be disproved by any test/experiment.
What are the components of good experimental design? (W/ Examples)
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.
What was Flemmings discovery?
He discovered Penicillin, which kills bacteria.
What is Pseudoscience?
A false science, ideas made to seem scientific, but is made up.
Levels of life organization in order
Biosphere Ecosystems Communities Populations Multicellular Organisms Organ Body Systems Organs Tissues Cells Organelles Atoms and Molecules
Three main subdivisions of Biology
Zoology: Study of animals.
Botany: Study of plants.
Microbiology: Study of microscopic organisms.
Know the other branches of Biology and their meaning
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.
Distinguish between Biogenesis and Spontaneous Generation
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.
Whats Redi’s contribution?
Disproved spontaneous generation, maggots from rotting meat.
What did Miller/Urey contribute?
They showed that under the right circumstances spontaneous generation might be possible.
The early earth conditions that made origin life possible
- ) Early atmosphere was very different with alot of molecules to make organs live (no oxygen gas).
- ) Lots of high energy sources (Volcano heat/Lightning).
Whats the age of the oldest fossil?
3.5 Billion Years
Order the microscopes from lowest to highest magnifacation
Stereo Dissecting Microscope: 30x (large specimen)
Compound Light Microscope:
40x-400x (cells)
Electron Microscope: 1,000,000x (microscopic organisms)
The 3 domains of living organisms
- ) Bacteria
- ) Archaea
- ) Eukarya
Two basic cell types and their differences
- ) Prokaryotic: Primitive cells with no nucleus and membrane bound organelles (Bacteria/Archaea).
- ) Eukaryotic: Advanced cells with a nucleus and membrane bound organelles (Eukarya).
