Introduction to Biology and the Scientific Method

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering Chapter 1 lecture notes on Characteristics of Life, Taxonomy, Levels of Organization, and the Scientific Method.

What are the seven fundamental characteristics of life listed in the lecture?

Unique molecular structure, requirement of energy and raw materials for metabolism, composition of cells, maintenance of homeostasis, response to environment, growth and reproduction, and evolution as a species or population.

How many identified species exist on Earth according to the lecture, and what animal is provided as a specific example?

About 1.8 million identified species; the tarsier is given as an example.

According to the lecture, how many identified species belong to plants, vertebrates, and insects?

At least 290,000 plants, 52,000 vertebrates, and 1 million insects (which make up more than half of all known forms of life).

What is the estimated total number of species on Earth, including undiscovered ones?

Estimates of the total number of species range from 10 million to more than 100 million.

What five kingdoms of life are shown descending from the earliest organisms in the provided diagram?

Monera, Protista, Plantae, Fungi, and Animalia.

What is the correct sequence of taxonomic hierarchy levels from broadest to most specific?

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

What is the full biological classification of humans (Homo sapiens) from domain to genus and species?

Domain: Eukarya; Kingdom: Animal; Phylum: Chordate; Sub-phylum: Vertebrate; Class: Mammalian; Order: Primate; Family: Hominidae; Genus: Homo; Species: Homo sapien.

If two species belong to the same class, must they belong to the same family?

False. Organisms in the same class can belong to different orders and families.

What are the four defining features of humans highlighted in the lecture?

Bipedalism, opposable thumbs with fine motor skills, large brain, and capacity for complex language.

What are the levels of biological organization listed in order from smallest to largest?

Atom, Molecule, Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ Systems, Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere.

How is Discovery Science (Descriptive Research) defined in the lecture?

An approach to understanding nature by describing it through verifiable observations and measurements.

How is Hypothesis-Driven Science (Experimental Research) defined in the lecture?

An approach to understanding nature by explaining it through formal guidelines and testable hypotheses.

What is the scientific method, and what is its main purpose?

A method of inquiry used to investigate phenomena based on gathering empirical and measurable evidence, intended to acquire new knowledge, correct and integrate previous knowledge, and reduce bias.

In 'The Poultry Predicament' experiment, what were the control group and experimental group?

The control group consisted of chickens who did not get crushed oyster shells in their diet; the experimental group consisted of chickens who did get crushed oyster shells in their diet.

In 'The Poultry Predicament' experiment, what were the independent and dependent variables?

The independent variable was the crushed oyster shells added to the diet; the dependent variable was the egg yield.

Can a scientific hypothesis be proven true by an experiment?

No. An experiment can only show if a hypothesis is supported or not supported; hypotheses are accepted only on a trial basis.

Why are unsupported hypotheses still considered valuable in science?

They help eliminate false ideas and explanations.

How do a hypothesis and a theory differ according to the lecture comparison chart?

A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction and speculative guess for a set of circumstances that is new and untested. A theory is a well-established principle that incorporates facts, laws, and tested hypotheses, arises from repeated testing, and is extensively tested and generally accepted.

Is 'Evolution: Species change and adapt over time to their environmental conditions by means of natural selection' a theory or a hypothesis?

Theory.

Is 'Finches with larger beaks are better adapted to eating seeds than finches with slender beaks' a theory or a hypothesis?

Hypothesis.