Biology Intro study guide 1

Biology

The science that studies life

When did microscopic life begin

3.5 billion years ago

When did mammals birds and flowers appear

200 million years ago

When did humans like us appear

200 thousand years ago

Order

Tiny nonliving pieces are organized into larger structures eventually forming a living cell

Order example

Atoms → molecules → organelles → cells → tissues → organs → organ systems → organism

Response to stimuli

Living things respond to changes or signals in their environment

Response to stimuli example

A plant bends toward a source of light

Reproduction

Living things produce new organisms and pass their DNA and genes to their offspring

Reproduction example

Mitosis

Adaptation

A trait that is passed down genetically and makes an organism better suited to its environment

Adaptation example

Larger beaks in finches

What does an adaptation aid in

Survival or reproduction

How do adaptations become common in organisms

Through natural selection

Natural selection

Helpful inherited traits become more common over generations

Natural selection example

Larger-beaked finches survived better during a drought so larger beaks became more common

Growth and development

Genes providing instructions that direct cellular growth and development

Growth and development example

A tadpole develops into a frog

Regulation

Coordinating internal functions

Regulation example

Thermoregulation

Homeostasis

Maintaining constant internal conditions

Homeostasis example

Maintaining pH balance

Energy processing

Using a source of energy for metabolic activities

Energy processing example

Photosynthesis

Are viruses alive

Viruses don't have all the properties of life and are not strictly alive

What don't viruses have

Cells

What do viruses need in order to function

A living cell

Are bacteria alive

Yes bacteria are alive

Why are bacteria alive

They are cells and have all the properties of life

Atom

Basic unit of all matter

Atom example

Carbon atom

Molecule

Atoms stuck together

Molecule example

Water (H₂O)

Organelle

Structure within a cell that performs a function for the cell

Organelle example

Mitochondrion

Cell

Basic unit of life and the smallest thing with all the properties of life

What do all living things have

Cells

Tissue

Group of cells with a common function

Tissue example

Muscle tissue

Organ

Group of tissues with a function

Organ example

Heart

Organ system

Group of organs with a function

Organ system example

Digestive system

Organism

An individual living entity

Organism example

A human

Population

Individuals of a species in an area

Population example

All the deer living in a forest

Community

Populations in an area

Community example

All the populations living in a forest

Ecosystem

Living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) things in an area

Ecosystem example

A forest including its living organisms and nonliving environment

Biotic

Living things

Abiotic

Nonliving things

Biosphere

Everywhere on Earth that life exists

Evolution

Change in organisms over generations

What can evolution lead to

Many new species from older species

Older species that new species evolved from

Common ancestor

Most closely related organisms that can interbreed

Species

How many words are in a species name

Two

What is the biggest taxonomic group

Domain

Prokaryotic cells

Bacteria

Prokaryotic cells

Archaea

Eukaryotic cells

Eukarya

Do kids prefer candy or fresh green spinach

Do kids prefer candy or fresh green spinach

Taxonomic order

Domain → Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species

Phylogenetic tree of life

Shows closeness of relationships

Science

Knowledge about the natural world

Science cannot be

Applied to purely moral → aesthetic → spiritual questions

Hypothesis testing

Method of research with defined steps including experiments and careful observation

Hypothesis

Suggested explanation of an event that can be tested

A hypothesis must be

Testable and falsifiable

What can observations do to a hypothesis

Support or don't support it

Hypothesis testing step 1

Observation → inspires question

Hypothesis testing step 2

Hypothesis → possible answer is formed

Hypothesis testing step 3

Prediction → based on hypothesis

Hypothesis testing step 4

Experiment → see whether you observe what you predicted

Hypothesis testing step 5

Analyze → results

Hypothesis testing step 6

Conclusion → hypothesis is supported/not supported

Hypothesis testing step 7

Reported → results in peer-reviewed articles

Scientific theory

Generally accepted explanation that is thoroughly tested and has tons of support