Basic Biology and Zoology – Chapter 1 Lecture

Question-and-answer flashcards summarizing the key concepts, definitions, and examples from the lecture on basic biology and zoology.

What branch of biology specifically studies animals?

Zoology.

To which domain and kingdom do all animals belong?

Domain Eukarya, Kingdom Animalia.

From which two Greek words is the term “zoology” derived and what do they mean?

“Zoon” (animal) and “logos” (knowledge).

How did Karl Popper define knowledge?

As “justified, true belief.”

Name the eight commonly cited characteristics of life.

Chemical uniqueness; complexity and hierarchical organization; reproduction; genetic (hereditary) material; metabolism; development; environmental interaction; and movement.

What term describes the unique and complex molecular organization found only in living systems?

Chemical uniqueness.

List the four major categories of biological macromolecules.

Nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.

What concept refers to properties that arise at higher levels of biological organization and are not present at lower levels?

Emergent properties.

What is the key difference between asexual and sexual reproduction?

Asexual reproduction involves one parent and produces genetically identical offspring, whereas sexual reproduction involves two parents and produces genetically diverse offspring.

Which shark exhibits intrauterine cannibalism, and what does this term mean?

The sand tiger shark; embryos consume their siblings before birth.

Which molecules provide the “fidelity of inheritance” in living organisms?

DNA and/or RNA.

Differentiate between catabolic and anabolic metabolic pathways.

Catabolic pathways break down molecules to release energy; anabolic pathways build complex molecules and require energy.

The study of metabolism is a sub-discipline of which field?

Physiology.

What biological process encompasses an organism’s life stages and eventual aging?

Development (including senescence).

What is senescence?

The biological process of aging in organisms that experience it.

What scientific field studies interactions between organisms and their abiotic and biotic environments?

Ecology.

Define ecological niche.

The physical and temporal space within which an organism can exist.

In biological terms, what is irritability?

An organism’s ability to respond to stimuli.

Which molecule is most commonly used to power cellular and organismal movement?

ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

List five key characteristics that distinguish scientific inquiry.

Guided by natural laws; explanations based on natural laws; testable; conclusions are tentative; falsifiable.

Put the major steps of the scientific method in order.

Observation, Question, Hypothesis, Test/Experiment, Conclusion, Publication/Dissemination.

What environmental change during the Industrial Revolution triggered industrial melanism in peppered moths?

Soot from coal burning darkened trees and buildings.

Who performed classic predation experiments on peppered moths in the 1950s?

H. B. D. Kettlewell.

How did bird predation influence the frequency of dark-colored peppered moths in polluted areas?

Birds more easily saw light moths on darkened trees, so dark moths survived and their frequency increased.

What coloration trend has been observed in peppered moths since coal emissions have been reduced?

An increase in the frequency of light-colored moths as tree bark has lightened.

In a graph comparing smoke pollution and melanic moth frequency, what relationship is observed?

Higher smoke pollution correlates with a higher percentage of melanic (dark) moths.

What is the difference between proximate and ultimate causation in biology?

Proximate causes explain how a trait occurs (mechanism), while ultimate causes explain why it evolved (adaptive reason).

Give the lecture’s example illustrating proximate vs. ultimate causation.

Recognition of MHC loci helps animals avoid inbreeding depression (proximate: recognition mechanism; ultimate: avoiding genetic disadvantages).