UNC BIOL 101 Quiz 1 (Lesson 1 - 3)

Biology

The scientific study of life, exploring the characteristics and behaviors of living organisms.

Characteristics of Life

Properties and processes that living things exhibit, such as regulating internal environments, taking in and using energy, and responding to environmental stimuli.

Diversity of Life

The wide range of organisms, from single-celled bacteria to complex multicellular organisms, highlighting the variation in life forms.

Hierarchy of Biological Organization

The structural levels of organization in life, from molecules to the entire biosphere, with each level providing new emergent properties.

Emergent Properties

Complex characteristics that arise from the specific arrangement and interactions of components at a certain level of biological organization.

Scientific Inquiry

The approach to understanding the natural world through observation, data collection, hypothesis formation, and experimentation.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for a set of observations that leads to predictions that can be tested through further observations or experiments.

Controlled Experiment

A scientific test where one variable is manipulated to observe its effect on another variable, with results compared to a control group.

Scientific Theory

A broad explanation supported by a large body of evidence, uncontradicted by scientific data.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive information gathered through observations, such as behavioral recordings.

Quantitative Data

Numerical measurements that can be analyzed statistically.

Clinical Trials

Controlled experiments involving human subjects, often using placebos and double-blind procedures to avoid bias.

Observational Studies

Studies analyzing data without manipulating the environment or subjects.

Emergence

The concept that new properties and complexities arise from interactions among simpler elements in biological systems.

Camouflage Hypothesis

The hypothesis that animal color patterns evolved as adaptations to protect them from predation.

Red Panda Classification

The use of DNA comparisons to determine the evolutionary relationships of the red panda.

Nonlinear Nature of Science

The idea that the scientific process is dynamic and flexible, involving iterative steps.

Scientific Collaboration

The practice of scientists working together, sharing data and methods, and reviewing each other’s work.

Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

The theory proposed by Charles Darwin that species evolve through "descent with modification," driven by natural selection.

Tree of Life

A metaphorical tree representing the evolutionary relationships among species, tracing back to common ancestors.

Evidence for Evolution

Support for the theory of evolution provided by the fossil record, experiments, observations, and DNA comparisons.

Carbon's Versatility

Carbon atoms form the backbone of most biological molecules due to their ability to form four covalent bonds.

Organic Compounds

Molecules containing carbon, usually bonded with hydrogen, which are integral to life.

Molecular Shapes

The shape of a molecule, influenced by carbon bonding, typically determines its function.

Carbon Skeleton Variations

Variations in carbon chains that contribute to the diversity of organic molecules.

Isomers

Molecules with the same molecular formula but different structures, leading to different properties.

Hydrocarbons

Molecules consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, key components of fats.

Functional Groups

Specific groups of atoms attached to carbon backbones that affect molecular function.

Hydroxyl Group (-OH)

A functional group found in alcohols that contributes to molecule polarity.

Carbonyl Group (C=O)

Present in sugars, influencing molecular reactivity.

Carboxyl Group (-COOH)

Acts as an acid by contributing H+ ions to solutions.

Amino Group (-NH2)

Acts as a base by picking up H+ ions.

Phosphate Group (-PO4)

Involved in energy transfers, as in ATP.

Methyl Group (-CH3)

Nonpolar group affecting molecular shape and function.

Macromolecules

Large biological molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Polymer Formation

The process of creating polymers through dehydration reactions.

Polymer Breakdown

The process of breaking down polymers via hydrolysis.

Enzymes

Proteins that facilitate the formation and breakdown of polymers.

Monosaccharides

The simplest form of carbohydrates, serving as energy sources.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates formed by joining two monosaccharides via a dehydration reaction.

High Sugar Consumption

Linked to health problems and includes recommendations to limit daily sugar intake.

Polysaccharides

Long chains of monosaccharides linked by dehydration reactions, serving as storage molecules.

Starch

A storage polysaccharide in plants made of glucose monomers.

Glycogen

A storage polysaccharide in animals, more branched than starch.

Cellulose

A major component of plant cell walls, composed of glucose with different linkages.

Chitin

A structural polysaccharide in insects,