Chapter 1 : Evolution : The Themes of Biology : Scientific Theory

Evolution

The process of change that has transformed life on Earth.

Biology

The scientific study of life

What are the five unifying themes?

Organization, Information, Energy and Matter, Interaction, Evolution

Biological Organization

Molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs and organ systems, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, biosphere

Emergent Properties

Result from the arrangement and interactions of parts within a system. They characterize non biological entities as well.

Reductionism

The reduction of complex systems to simpler components that are more manageable to study.

Systems Biology

Analysis of the interactions among the parts of a biological system

Prokaryotic Cell

Simpler and usually smaller cell that does not contain a nucleus or other membrane enclosed organelles

Eukaryotic Cell

Membrane enclosed organelles, the largest at which is the nucleus

DNA (deooxyribonucleic acid)

A self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information. Controls the development and maintenance of organisms

Gene

Encodes information for building the molecules synthesized within the cell. Units of inheritance.

Gene Expression

The process of converting information from gene to cellular product

Genome

entire set of genetic instructions

Genomics

The study of sets of genes within and between species

Proteomics

The study of whole sets of proteins encoded by the genome (known as proteomes)

Bioinformatics

The use of computational tools to process a large volume of data

Feedback regulation

The output or product of a process, regulates that very process. The most common feedback is negative.

Taxonomy

The branch of biology that names and classifies species into groups of increasing breadth

What are the three domains?

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya

Which domain is bacteria and Archaea made of?

Prokaryotes

Eukarya

Contains all eukaryotic organisms

Who is Charles Darwin?

published "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection" in 1859 and made a point that explains that "Natural selection" is the mechanism behind descent with modification.

Natural Selection

Results in the adaptation of organisms to their environment

Inquiry

The search for information and explanations of natural phenomena

Data

Recorded observations

Qualitative data

Often take the form of recorded descriptions

Quantitative data

Generally expressed as

numerical measurement, organized into tables and

graphs

Inductive reasoning

Draws conclusions through the logical process of induction. (Specifics to General)

Hypothesis

Tentative answer to a well framed scientific question

Deductive Reasoning

Uses general premises to make specific predictions

Theory

-Broader in scope than a hypothesis

-General, and can lead to new testable hypotheses

-Supported by a large body of evidence in

comparison to a hypothesis