BIOL 1P93 Midterm - Week 1 PPT

biology is study of ___

life

plants can communicate with each other through ______

volatile organic molecules

venom from certain poisonous snakes contains a chemical that does what

lowers BP in humans

what is a zombie parasite

• a parasite that infects its host and can control the host’s behavior

what is neuroparasitology

• the study of how parasites control the nervous systems of their host

define atoms

smallest unit of an element that has the chemical properties of an element

define molecules and macromolcules

atoms bond with each other to form molecules

define cells

simplest unit of life

define tissues

cells of the same type associate with each other to form other tissues

define organs

composed of two or more types of tissue

define organ systems

groups of organs that work together

define organism

all living things are organisms, classified as belonging to a species

define population

organisms of the same species that occupy the same environment

define community

populations of different species

define ecosystems

formed by the interactions of a community or organisms with their environment

define biosphere

all the places on earth where living organisms exist

define evolution

1. diversity of life evolved over time through mutation, natural selection and genetic exchange

define structure and function

1. basic units of structure define the function of all living things

define information

1. growth and behavior of organisms are activated through the expression of genetic information

define energy and matter

1. biological processes based on chemical transformation pathways and governed by laws of thermodynamics

define systems

living systems are interconnected and interacting

define taxonomy

• the field of biology concerned with grouping and classification of species

what are the 3 domains of life

bacteria 

archaea 

eukarya

bacteria

unicellular prokaryote

archaea

unicellular prokaryote

eukarya

unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes 

• complex cells with a nucleus 

• once divided into four kingdoms: protista, plantae, fungi and animalia

how to do binomial nomenclature

each species has a unique scientific name

genus name capitalized

species descriptor is not capitalized

both names are italicized

Ex. Homo sapiens

when biologists investigate life at many different levels ex. from molecules to ecosystems, what does it involve

observation, identification, experimental investigation and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena

what is the key to studying biology

curiosity

when studying biology what are the 2 general approaches

hypothesis testing

discovery based science

what is a hypothesis

a proposed explanation for a natural phenomenon based on previous observations or experimental studies

expected outcomes that can be shown to be correct or incorrect are considered____

testable

true or false - Additional observations or experiments can support or reject a hypothesis

true

true or false -

• A hypothesis is never really proven!

true:

• It is possible that the correct hypothesis has not been conceived yet

• Instead, biologists conclude that their hypothesis is consistent with known data

hypothesis testing / scientific method is considered objective or subjective 

objective

what are the 5 steps to hypothesis testing

1. Information (observations, literature) leads to a question

2. Formation of a testable hypothesis that tries to explain the phenomenon

3. Predictions are made according to the hypothesis

4. Experiments and/or observational studies are conducted to gather data

5. Data are analyzed and conclusions are made regarding the hypothesis

what is discovery based science

• Collection and analysis of large volumes of data without a preconceived hypothesis

what is the goal of discovery based science

• Goal is to gather information and find new patterns or correlations in the data, typically leading to a hypothesis and hypothesis testing

example of discovery based sience

test drugs to look for action against disease

what is theory

Broad explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is substantiated by a large body of evidence

true or false - theory allows to make many predictions

true 

true or false - theory can always be proved, but due to overwhelming evidence, may be very likely to be false

false

2 key attributes of a theory

consistent with a vast amount of known data

able to make many correct predictions

examples of theory

• “DNA is the genetic material”

• overwhelming body of evidence supports this theory

how is biology a social discipline

• different labs often collaborate/work together

• peer reviewing of papers, scientific experts can accept or reject it for publication

• discussing science at meetings, you can discuss science without having “all the answers”

what are the 6 core skills of biology

1. Ability to apply the process of the scientific method

2. Ability to use quantitative reasoning

3. Ability to use models and simulations

4. Ability to tap into the interdisciplinary nature of science

5. Ability to communicate and collaborate with professionals in other disciplines

6. Ability to understand the relationship between science and society

4 examples of how biodiversity benefits the ecosystem and humans

1. Diclofenac in India – killed vultures that fed on treated cattle, leading to feral dogs with rabies, 48,000 deaths and cost $24 billion

2. food security 

3. medicine 

4. cleaner water and air 

what was the example food security in how biodiversity benefits the ecosystem and humans

overfishing threatens seafood; plant biodiversity supports agriculture

what was the example medicine in how biodiversity benefits the ecosystem and humans

over half of drugs derive from natural sources, including cancer drugs

what was the example cleaner water and air in how biodiversity benefits the ecosystem and humans

healthy ecosystems keep it clean, lowers emerging diseases

why is human diversity in science also important

• more creative/innovative/excellence

• public trust (people trust scientists who reflect the population

• global relevance (global challenges need diverse perspectives

• less bias and stereotyping