BIO110 Chapter 1: The Science of Biology

1.1 What is biology?

Biology is the study of life.

1.1 What are the 3 Domains of life?

Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya.

1.1 What are the 6 Kingdoms of life?

1. Archaea 2. Bacteria 3. Protista 4. Fungi 5. Plantae 6. Animalia.

1.1 What kingdom(s) belong in Domain bacteria?

Bacteria.

1.1 What kingdom(s) belong in the Domain archaea?

Archaea.

1.1 What kingdom(s) belong in the Domain eukarya?

Protista, plantae, fungi, animalia.

1.2 What are the five basic properties of life?

1. Cellular organization 2. Metabolism 3. Homeostasis 4. Growth & reproduction 5. Heredity.

1.2 Define “cellular organization” as a property of life.

All living things are comprised of at least 1 cell.

1.2 Define “metabolism” as a property of life.

All living things process energy which is used to power all other processes.

1.2 Define “homeostasis” as a property of life.

All living things maintain stable internal environments so their complex processes can be better coordinated.

1.2 Define “growth & reproduction” as a property of life.

All living things have the capacity to grow & reproduce.

1.2 Define “heredity” as a property of life.

All organisms pass genetic information across generations from parent to offspring.

1.3 Why are hierarchies important in biology?

Hierarchies inform biologists on the way living systems are organized.

1.3 What are the three levels of life complexity studied in this textbook?

1. Cellular level 2. Organismal level 3. Populational level.

1.3 What are the 5 hierarchal structures of life at the cellular level?

1. Atoms 2. Molecules 3. Macromolecules 4. Organelles 5. Cells.

1.3 What are atoms?

A core of protons and neutrons surrounded by an orbiting cloud of electrons whose chemical behavior is largely determined by the distribution of electrons & the number of electrons in its outermost level. The building blocks of life.

1.3 What are molecules?

Atoms joined together; the smallest unit of a compound that displays the properties of that compound.

1.3 What are macromolecules?

An extremely large molecule; refers specifically to carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

1.3 What are organelles?

A specialized compartment of a cell within which cellular activities are organized.

1.3 What are cells?

The smallest units of life & the basic organizational unit of all organisms.

1.3 What are the 4 hierarchal structures of life at the organismal level?

1. Tissues 2. Organs 3. Organ systems 4. Organism.

1.3 What are tissues?

A group of similar cells organized into a structural & functional unit.

1.3 What are organs?

A complex structure composed of several different kinds of tissue grouped together in a structural & functional unit.

1.3 What is an organ system?

A group of organs that function together to carry out the principal activities of the body.

1.3 What is an organism?

Any individual living creature, either unicellular or multicellular.

1.3 What are the 4 hierarchal structures of life at the populational level?

1. Population 2. Species 3. Community 4. Ecosystem.

1.3 What is a population?

A group of individuals of a single species occupying a given area at the same time.

1.3 What is a species?

A group of interbreeding organisms that are reproductively isolated from all other such groups.

1.3 What is a community?

The populations of different species that live together & interact in a particular place.

1.3 What is an ecosystem?

A community together with the nonliving factors with which it interacts.

1.3 What are emergent properties?

Novel properties in the hierarchy of life that were not present at the simpler levels of organization.

1.4 What are the 5 unifying themes of biology?

1. Evolution 2. The flow of energy 3. Cooperation 4. Structure determines function 5. Homeostasis.

1.4 Exlain evolution as a biological theme.

A genetic change in a species over time facilitated by natural selection; the explanation for the diversity of llfe.

1.4 Explain the flow of energy as a biological theme.

All living things require energy, which is obtained from the sun and flows through the living world; how much is available determines how many/what kinds of organisms can live together in an ecosystem.

1.4 Explain cooperation as a biological theme.

Many organisms have evolved cooperation as a means of survival; symbiosis describes a relationship that can form when two species live in direct contact.

1.4 Explain how structure determines function functions as a biological theme?

Evolution favors structures that function in adaptive manners, many which are specialized for a particular function; the convergence of structure and function occurs at every level of the organizational hierarchy.

1.5 What is deductive reasoning?

Reasoning formed by the use of general principles to explain specific observations.

1.5 What is inductive reasoning?

Reasoning formed by the careful examination of specific cases to discover general principles.

1.6 What are the stages of the scientific process?

1. Observation 2. Hypothesis 3. Predictions 4. Testing 5. Controls 6. Conclusion.

1.9 What are the 4 unifying biological theories?

1. Cell theory 2. Gene theory 3. The theory of heredity 4. The theory of evolution.

1.9 What is the cell theory?

All living organisms are composed of cells, which are the basic units of life, and all cells come from a pre-existing cell.

1.9 What is the gene theory?

Genetic information, which is encoded in DNA, can encode specific proteins/RNA or regulate other genes, and these proteins/RNA encoded by an organisms genes determine what it will be like in function/form.

1.9 What is the theory of heredity?

Genes are passed down in generations as discrete units.

1.9 What is the theory of evolution?

The diversity of the living world is due to natural selection; it can also be thought of as “descent with modification.”