Introduction to Biology questions

Flashcards covering the characteristics of life, branches of biology, scientific method, experimental variables, and the nature of science based on lecture notes.

What is biology?

Biology is the scientific study of living things.

Why do animals move, and how do plants demonstrate movement according to the characteristics of life?

Animals move to search for food, find mates, and escape from danger. Plants grow or move towards light.

How is respiration defined in the characteristics of life?

Respiration uses food molecules to make energy available for body activities.

What is sensitivity as a characteristic of life?

Sensitivity is the ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment.

How is growth described in living organisms?

Growth is an increase in body size and complexity.

What is the purpose of reproduction in living things?

Reproduction produces offspring to ensure the continuity of life.

What is excretion?

Excretion is the removal of wastes produced by chemical reactions occurring in the bodies of living organisms.

Why do living organisms need nutrition?

Organisms need food for energy and nutrients to carry out the vital functions of life.

What is biochemistry?

Biochemistry is the study of biological molecules and the chemical processes within living organisms.

What is cytology?

Cytology is the study of cells.

What is anatomy?

Anatomy is the study of body structures and organization.

What is physiology?

Physiology is the study of how bodies of organisms function.

What is genetics?

Genetics is the study of pattern and mechanisms of inheritance.

What is taxonomy?

Taxonomy is the study of the identification and classification of organisms.

What is ecology?

Ecology is the study of interactions among organisms and their interactions with the environment.

What is evolutionary biology?

Evolutionary biology is the study of the mechanism of evolution.

What is biotechnology?

Biotechnology is the use of biological processes, biological systems, or organisms to make useful products.

What are four reasons to study biology?

Studying biology helps us: 1) understand structures and functioning of organisms, 2) appreciate the complexity and diversity of organisms, 3) develop a respect for living things and the environment, and 4) prepare for future education and career.

What are the 6 steps of the scientific method in order?

1. Make observations. 2. Ask relevant questions. 3. Propose a hypothesis. 4. Make a prediction. 5. Design and conduct experiments. 6. Analyse data and draw a conclusion.

What is a hypothesis?

A hypothesis is a testable explanation of observation.

What two set-ups are involved in a control experiment?

Experimental set-up and control set-up.

What is an independent variable?

An independent variable is what should change; it is the variable under study.

What is a dependent variable?

A dependent variable is what should be measured.

What is a controlled variable?

A controlled variable is what should be kept the same, representing other variables that may affect the result.

Why are multiple variations used in an experiment?

To minimize the effect of individual differences.

What does the Nature of Science (NOS) say about scientific knowledge and change?

Scientific knowledge is tentative and subject to change.

How does science advance according to the Nature of Science (NOS)?

Science advances through reasonable scepticism.

What are the key tenets of the Nature of Science (NOS)?

Science is an ongoing process of inquiry; tentative and subject to change; socially and culturally embedded; based on natural world observation; requires creativity and imagination; advances through reasonable scepticism; affected by technology and equipment; builds on other scientists' work; collaborative and competitive; and has no single set and sequence of steps in all scientific investigation.