Principles of Biology Cedarville University Exam 1 (Dr. Jones)

What is the difference between an educated person and a knowledgeable person according to Israel Sheffler?

An educated man's outlook is transformed by what he knows

Being scientifically literate is required for the following: (the 3 "knows")

1. Knowing yourself 2. Knowing your world 2. Knowing your God

There is a correlation between hectares of farming and % of inter-sexed toads. Describe the correlation and if it is synonymous with causation.

Correlation does not mean causation. Is the cause of feminized male toads associated with land development or poisoning by chemicals? The increase in farming within the vicinity of toad populations= increase in population of feminized frogs

What is knowledge according to Israel Sheffler?

You know the right answers but your outlook on life is not transformed.

Describe in a sentence or two what the general goals of science are.

Science is an activity or process, the underlying aim of which is to further our understanding of why things happen the way they do in the natural or created world. The aim of science is theory.

Science is characterized by its demand for empirical evidence for

its conclusions.

Aspect #1

Science is characterized by its demand for logical reasoning

Aspect #2

Science given tentative or contingent knowledge

Aspect #3

Science has an epistemological framework which includes a set of

presuppositions.

Aspect #4

Science as a Human activity has limits

Aspect #5

Aspect #6

Science takes place within the values and norms of the culture

and is subject to the biases of its practitioners.

What is the general role of science?

collection of human observations used to explain phenomena and make predictions in new situations (rests on many hypotheses that have been tested and backed by empirical evidence)

What is empirical evidence?

Knowledge received by observation and experimentation.

Inductive reasoning

Particular > generalization

Deductive reasoning

general statement > particular fact

inferences

based on own preconceived ideas of what may happen

How do scientists make observations?

Scientists use their own senses, instruments (such as microscopes) that enhance those senses, and instruments that tap characteristics quite different from what humans can sense (such as magnetic fields). They observe passively or actively.

What is meant by communal objectivity (peer reviewed work?)

A standard rule; what community decides is research based on political, social and culutral titles. once invoke super natural, it is no longer science

hypothetico-deductive method?

forming and testing evidence. propose hypothesis, decide what is testable, test consequences, accept/ reject hypothesis, formulate "if...then" No anecdotal evidence!(observe--infer--propose--test--discard--feasibility)

theory

inferred EXPLANATIONS of natural world, attempts to explain laws

law

generalizations of how natural world reacts in certain conditions

hypothesis

predictions with not much evidence, TESTABLE & FALSIFIABLE

Ex Post Facto and correlation

"after the fact"- how two variables affect each other (correlation) through observations and predictions.

hierarchal relationship

hypothesis help form theories which lead to laws

Experimental Research

observing, Gathering data and testing. When testing however, you have 2 variables (independent- treatment & dependent- effect). Never want to change your independent variables, these are your controlled group (extraneous variables)

What are the 4 limitations of science?

1. Limit to physical explanations of observed events

2. Science can't make value judgements

3. Science can't address ultimate questions of purpose

4. Gives tentative or contingent knowledge

Anecdotal evidence

personal testimony

Scientific evidence

durable, concepts don't change

1. philosophical commitments

2. religious beliefs

3. political values

4. professional interests

Scientists' inferences, models and views of the natural world are shaped by... 4 things

What is a worldview?

1. a way of seeing or interpreting the world

2. a vision for a way of life

3. a way to answer life's major questions

4. A person's presupposition

What is a presupposition?

Non-testable assumptions which are the foundation to a set of beliefs, worldview, philosophy, etc.

presupposition

Humans were created or humans were evolved from apes is an example of a:

Four presuppositions of science

1. real world exists independent of knower. Exists if it can be sensed or not (principle of objectivity, first principles)

2. real world open to investigation by human prediction (not chaotic, but structured in some way)

3. nature operates same way every day, time, place. predictable patterns (historical and casual continuity) uniformitarianism)

4. Natural processes are sufficient to explain natural world. Non natural causes are unnecessary (methodological naturalism- rule of science)

they both seek truth

What presuppositions would both the scientific community and people of faith have?

the natural world is all that exists.

Identify the one presupposition that people of faith would deny.

the worldview that is most common in the scientific community- empiricism

All concepts, ideas, substantive knowledge available to humans must ultimately rest solely on sensory experiences or observations. Any alleged idea or belief that does not have empirical grounding is empty/meaningless. An attempt to reduce all knowledge to scientific knowledge.

physical world vs. psychological worldview (emotion, behavior, personality) supernatural not learned, rather we are wired for belief

How does Paul Bloom explain the tendency of humans to believe in the supernatural?

List key presuppositions that are foundational to a Christian worldview of science in regards to creation.

creation- god created natural world, god is actively involved in maintaining created order, creation does & is revealing God

humans- image bearers of God who to exercise stewardship, reasoning & understanding, sin affects scientific endeavors

scripture- science is not the only method to gain knowledge about he physical universe, science is girded by biblical revelation, natural causes don't tell all.

biology

study of living things

What are the seven shared properties of living things?

1. organisms are constructed of same kings of atoms/ molecules according to same laws of energy

2. organisms consist of one or more cells

3. organisms are energy and raw material from environment to survive and reproduce

4. organisms sense and make controlled responses to conditions in their external and internal environment to maintain homeostasis

5. organisms have the capacity for growth and reproduction

6. all organisms pass genetic info to future generations from parent--- offspring

7. organisms can adapt to their environment

Cell theory

: all living things are composed of cells. cell is structural and functional unit of life

Biogenesis

living things can only come from living things, or cells can only come from preexisting cells

(give examples of a) metabolic conversion system in a living organism

photosynthesis: glucose is key...amino acids & proteins

cellular respiration: glucose + water= ATP

Describe homeostasis and the role "responsiveness" plays in homeostasis.

maintaing constant internal environment to continue to process of life. Regulates internal environment in response to the environment. Example: body temp, must be 7ph's so proteins and other amino acids change to help keep body temp as close to 7ph as possible

asexual reproduction

1 parent, cells split, genetic copy "clone"

Explain adaptations a living organism may have toward its environment (mallard ducks)

depending if source is being shared, what kinds of proteins/ food is available, and temps are current, mallard ducks will wait till the best time (like May) to lay eggs so that the eggs have enough protein and right materials to hatch/ develop. Their web feet adapt to the water. Even though they are in one place, they all have different eating habits and methods of survival.

Describe and list biological universals.

1. common chemicals of life

2. cells - energy production (ATP)

3. DNA & Genetic cells - common metabolic pathway

4. lipid bilayer cellular membrane

5. survival of the fittest (source will strip all materials and lead to war)

Four Unifying Theories- the Cell Theory

all organisms are composed of at least one cell.

the cell is the most basic unit of life.

all cells come from pre-existing cells.

The Gene Theory (Four Unifying Theories)

genetic information is encoded in molecules of

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

genes encode specific proteins or RNA or act to

regulate other genes.

the proteins and RNA encoded by an organism's

genes determine what it will be like in terms of form and function.

Four Unifying Theories- the Theory of Heredity

genes are passed down generations as discrete units.

gave rise to the field of genetics.

chromosomal theory of inheritance located Mendelian genes on chromosomes.

Four Unifying Theories- The Theory of Evolution

All living organisms are related to one another in a

common tree of descent.

The six kingdoms of life are grouped into three domains.

explains the unity and diversity of life.

biological universals.

1. common chemicals of life

2. cells - energy production (ATP)

3. DNA & Genetic cells - common metabolic pathway

4. lipid bi-layer cellular membrane

survival of the fittest and biodiversity (source will strip all materials and lead to war

Biodiversity= Descent w/ modification::: observe--infer (presupposition; super natural not to be invoked)--- common ancestor or common designer)

What two observations did Darwin try to explain with his theory?

Covalent bond

Sharing of a pair of

electrons between two

atoms (single, double, triple)

Polar molecules

May form hydrogen bonds, have a slight charge at each end of the molecule due to an unequal sharing of electrons

Hydrogen bonding

Very weak bond between H with a slight charge and Oxygen or Nitrogen with a slight charge on another molecule. Result of the polarity of the molecules involved.

First of three key properties of water

Water functions as a biological solvent.

Water "dissolves" a substance by pulling the substances' molecules apart and separating them.

Second of three key properties of water

Water absorbs and holds heat (temperature regulation).

High thermal capacity: protects organisms from rapid temperature changes.

Moderates temperature changes in organisms and in their environments.

Water molecules have adhesion and cohesion= transport

Third of three key properties of water

cohesion

When one water molecule is attracted to another water molecule

adhesion

When polar molecules other than water stick to a water molecule

Acids

Any substance that donates H+ ions to a water solution. Have a high concentration of H+ ions and a low concentration of OH- ions

Bases

Any substance that donates OH- ions to a water solution. have a high conc. of OH- ions and a low conc. of H+ ions

buffer

Any substance that tends to minimize the changes in pH that might otherwise occur when an acid or base is added to a solution.

regulate the pH of body fluids e.g. saliva, gastric juice, blood, interstitial fluids.

the pH scale

a measure of the relative amounts of hydrogen and hydroxide ions in a solution.

What does the pH scale mean?

Scale: 0-14

pH greater than 7 = basic

pH lower than 7 = acidic

Pure water = 7 - neutral Con'c of OH- = H+

The properties of carbon make it the backbone of the organic molecules which form living matter. Carbon can form four covalent bonds.

Why is carbon a most suitable element to form the backbone or framework of macromolecules?

Monomers

Joined together to construct a polymer in a process called dehydration synthesis.

Polymers

Large molecules formed by the joining together of many identical or similar small building block units called monomers. (hydrolysis)

Isomerism

Molecules of monosaccharides may have the same molecular formula but differ in their three dimensional structure.

Carbohydrates

The ultimate source of the food we eat, and provide clothing and shelter for us.

carbohydrates (what are they made up of)

Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms and contain the sugar or saccharide group make up this. (glucose, fructose)

Organic molecules

Made up of carbon chains, called carbon skeletons, with other atoms joined to the chain, the most common being hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acid)

contains double bonds within C atoms

A fatty acid is unsaturated if it

A nucleotide is to nucleic acid

A glucose molecule is to starch as:

Saturated fatty acid

All available bonds in the carbon chain are filled with hydrogen atoms

Fatty acids

What do all lipids have in common?

They are arranged differently, and turn out to be different proteins

What makes one protein different from another?

Proteins

serve as structural components of the cells and tissues of living organisms

Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Quaternary

Four levels of protein structure

1. all living things are made up of one or more cells. 2. Cells are the structural and functional units of life. 3. cells can only come from pre-existing cells (Virchow's Principle.)

List the three tenets of the cell theory

Animal cells

plasma membrane encases cell, contains cytoskeleton & cell organelles suspended in semifluid matrix (cytoplasm) fingerlike projections called microvilli

Plant cells

contain large central vacuoles that occupy major portion of internal volume, organelles called chloroplasts which photosynthesis takes place. cell walls composed of diff groups. Cytoplasmic connections in opening of cell wall.

Why are cells so small

every cell needs energy and raw materials

the rate of transport for materials cannot meet demands of the cell, staying small.

the cell is more efficient in meeting demands/ sustaining life.

volume increases as higher rate than surface increase at slower rate.

cell (what is it)

Smallest structure and function unit of a living organism.

What are the three parts of a cell?

The cell membrane, the nucleus, and the cytoplasm

Prokaryotic cells

Anuclear

- Nucleoid region

- One single circular shaped

chromosome

- DNA is not segregated from

the rest of the cell

- Loops of DNA called plasmids

Eukaryotic cells

"True nucleus" - Nucleated / Nucleus

Linear shaped chromosomes

DNA is segregated from the rest of the cell

1. a plasma membrane.

2. DNA - chromosomes

3. Ribosomes

4. cytosol/cytoplasm

Prokaryotes and eukaryotes both have:

Endosymbiotic theory

describes how a large host cell and ingested bacteria could easily become dependent on one another for survival, resulting in a permanent relationship.

What is the endomembrane system?

A group of membranes and organelles in eukaryotic cells that work together to modify, package, and transport lipids and proteins.

endomembrane system

Nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi body/complex, lysosomes, peroxisomes, vacuoles/vesicles, chloroplasts, mitochondria are all part of the:

Ribosomes and the cytoskeleton

What are non membrane bound structures in the endomembrane system?

1. Segregating the internal cell environment from the external environment.

2. Form internal cellular compartments. (organelles)

3. Regulates transport in and out of the cell

4. Provides reactive sites for cellular processes

Membrane functions within a cell

Diffusion

Movement of dissolved or suspended molecules away from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. The driving force is the kinetic energy possessed by the solute molecules.

Osmosis

Diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of greater water concentration to lesser water concentration.

Passive transport

Small molecules follow their concentration gradient. The cell does not expend energy during the process.

Active transport

Small molecules and ions move against their concentration gradient. It requires the cell to expend energy in this movement. (sodium potassium)

Hydrophilic

polar (charged) head of phospholipid; changes react with water forming hydrogen bonds

Hydrophobic

neutral tails of a phospholipid; non polar (will not react with water)