Comprehensive Biology and Scientific Method: Key Concepts for Students

What is the primary aim of science?

To understand the natural world through observation and reasoning.

What are the two main approaches in science?

Descriptive and hypothesis-driven approaches.

What type of reasoning does deductive reasoning involve?

Using general principles to make specific predictions.

What type of reasoning does inductive reasoning involve?

Using specific observations to develop general conclusions.

What is an example of inductive reasoning in science?

Fossils showing that life has changed on Earth over time.

What is descriptive science?

Science that builds from observations and includes activities like classifying and describing life.

What is genomic sequencing?

A descriptive science that provides foundational knowledge of an organism's genetic information.

What defines hypothesis-driven science?

A systematic approach built around the development and testing of hypotheses.

What is the general flow of the scientific method?

Observation leads to a question, which leads to a hypothesis, then a prediction, followed by experimentation and conclusion.

What classic experiment is associated with Louis Pasteur?

His work on the source of life in nutrient broth.

What was the germ hypothesis proposed by Pasteur?

Living organisms in the air contaminated the broth.

What was the spontaneous generation hypothesis?

Living organisms could spontaneously arise from organic molecules in the broth.

What happens to a hypothesis if new data contradicts it?

It may be rejected or revised.

What is the role of a hypothesis in scientific research?

It provides a possible explanation for an observation and makes a testable prediction.

What is the significance of the scientific method in hypothesis-driven science?

It is a defining element of how scientists approach understanding the natural world.

How do scientists use inductive reasoning in hypothesis-driven science?

To develop conclusions based on specific observations.

What is the relationship between hypotheses and predictions?

Hypotheses should lead to predictions that can be tested through experiments.

What does it mean for hypotheses to be mutually exclusive?

Two hypotheses cannot both be true if they account for the same observation.

What is an example of a descriptive activity in biology?

Classifying and describing life in a given habitat.

How does science adapt over time?

It is in a constant state of change as new data, methods, and ideas arise.

What is the role of experimentation in the scientific method?

To test predictions derived from hypotheses.

What is a key characteristic of a hypothesis?

It is always subject to future rejection or revision based on new evidence.

What is the importance of observations in the scientific process?

They are the starting point for asking questions and developing hypotheses.

What is the significance of the scientific perspective in studying biology?

It allows for a structured approach to understanding biological phenomena.

What does the germ hypothesis predict about living organisms in broth?

Living organisms will appear only if the broth is exposed to air.

What does the spontaneous generation hypothesis predict about living organisms in broth?

Living organisms will appear regardless of whether or not the broth is exposed to air.

What is the purpose of hypothesis-driven science?

To conduct experiments that test the hypothesis or hypotheses.

What is the independent variable in an experiment?

The variable that is changed or altered to observe its effect.

What is the dependent variable in an experiment?

The effect or output of the experiment that varies depending on the independent variable.

What are control variables?

Variables that are held constant to ensure a fair test.

What was the design of Pasteur's swan neck flask experiment?

In the control experiment, the neck was unbroken to prevent contamination; in the test experiment, the neck was broken to allow contamination.

What conclusion did Pasteur draw from his experiment?

The growth of living organisms in nutrient broth was due to contamination from air.

What must be rejected based on the results of Pasteur's experiment?

The spontaneous generation hypothesis.

What is pseudoscience?

Claims, beliefs, or practices that purport to be science but do not use accepted scientific methods.

Give an example of pseudoscience.

Astrology or intelligent design.

What is reductionism in scientific practice?

The process of breaking a complex process down to its component parts.

What is systems biology?

An approach that focuses on how components work together and often uses modeling to predict emergent properties.

How does systems biology differ from reductionism?

Systems biology looks at interactions and emergent properties, while reductionism focuses on individual components.

What is the role of peer review in scientific research?

To correct errors and ensure that correct control experiments were performed.

What does basic research address?

Questions about how living organisms function.

How does science ensure objectivity?

Through self-correction and peer review.

What happens when multiple researchers achieve the same results?

It increases certainty about the results.

Why is it important to hold control variables constant?

To isolate the effect of the independent variable and ensure a fair test.

What can be concluded if the germ hypothesis is retained after experimentation?

It remains a possible explanation for the observed growth of microorganisms.

What is the significance of the control experiment in scientific testing?

It serves as a baseline to compare the effects of the independent variable.

What is the importance of modeling in systems biology?

It helps predict how biological processes function and interact.

What is the main goal of hypothesis-driven experiments?

To test specific predictions made by hypotheses.

What is applied research in biology?

Applied research takes information from basic research and uses it for specific benefits, such as identifying drugs to inhibit cell reproduction.

What distinguishes a scientific theory?

A scientific theory is supported by substantial observation, experimental evidence, and reasoning, expressing ideas of which we are most certain.

What is biology?

Biology is the science of living systems.

What are the smallest biological units that exhibit all characteristics of life?

Cells are the smallest biological units that exhibit all characteristics of life.

How are living systems classified?

Living systems are classified based on shared characteristics and organized into hierarchies.

What foundational knowledge is necessary for understanding living systems?

Understanding living systems requires knowledge of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and statistics.

Why is chemistry important for biologists?

Chemistry is crucial because living organisms are complex chemical systems, and understanding their function requires knowledge of molecular structure and reactions.

What is the ultimate source of energy for most organisms on Earth?

The sun is the ultimate source of energy for most organisms.

What are the five commonly recognized characteristics of living systems?

1. All living systems consist of cells. 2. Living systems respond to stimuli. 3. They grow and develop. 4. They reproduce. 5. They maintain homeostasis.

What role does the scientific method play in biology?

The scientific method is used to generate facts and theories about living systems through systematic observation and reasoning.

What is the relationship between living systems and physical principles?

The behavior of living systems is limited by underlying chemical reactions and physical principles.

What is the significance of understanding chemical reactions in biology?

Understanding chemical reactions is essential for comprehending how life is possible and how living organisms function.

How do biologists utilize mathematics in their field?

Biologists use mathematics and statistics in the context of chemistry, physics, and the scientific investigation of living organisms.

What is the importance of the variety in living systems?

Despite their variety, living systems share substantial similarities at fundamental levels.

What is the minimal unit of life?

The cell is considered the minimal unit of life.

What are the implications of living systems having complex chemical structures?

The complexity of chemical structures in organisms requires energy for their maintenance and function.

How do organisms respond to physical phenomena like gravity?

Different organisms respond to physical phenomena, such as gravity, in various ways, reflecting their unique adaptations.

What is the significance of descriptive science in biology?

Descriptive science contributes to the generation of facts and theories that form the basis of biological knowledge.

What is the relationship between living systems and their environments?

Living systems interact with their environments and are influenced by physical and chemical factors.

What is the role of energy in living systems?

Energy is required for the chemical, structural, and functional complexity of every organism.

What is the significance of the interdisciplinary nature of biology?

Biology's interdisciplinary nature allows for a comprehensive understanding of living systems through the integration of various scientific disciplines.

What is the importance of cells in the context of living systems?

Cells are fundamental to all living systems, serving as the basic building blocks of life.

What is the difference between basic research and applied research?

Basic research seeks to understand fundamental principles, while applied research uses that knowledge for practical applications.

What are examples of unicellular organisms?

Bacteria, archaea, and yeast cells.

What is the fundamental living unit of multicellular organisms?

Cells.

How does cell structure relate to cell function?

Cell structure is commonly associated with cell function, reflecting a major theme in biology.

What is the second characteristic shared by all living organisms?

The ability to store and process information.

In what form do all living systems store information?

DNA.

What are chromosomes?

Structures that package DNA molecules, comprising the human male genome as 46 discrete structures.

How do organisms respond to internal or external information?

They detect and process information and change their activities or behaviors in response.

What is an example of an organism responding to environmental information?

Deciduous trees changing leaf color in response to decreasing temperatures and hours of daylight.

What is the third characteristic of living systems?

The ability to transform energy from one form to another.

How do photosynthetic organisms utilize energy from the sun?

They convert it into chemical energy to maintain life.

What do non-photosynthetic organisms depend on for energy?

They depend directly or indirectly on the chemical energy transformed by photosynthetic organisms.

What is the fourth characteristic of living systems?

The ability to grow and reproduce.

At what levels does growth and reproduction occur?

At both the cellular level and the organismal level.

What ensures the continuity of life?

The ability to pass genetic information from one generation to the next.

What is the fifth characteristic of living systems?

The ability to adapt and evolve.

How do populations of organisms evolve adaptations?

Through interactions with other organisms and their physical environment over time.

What is the role of natural selection in evolution?

It influences genetic information changes that are passed on to offspring.

Who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Charles Darwin.

What does the theory of evolution explain?

How organisms on Earth have changed over time and acquired diverse forms.

What is a scientific theory?

An organizing framework of concepts and hypotheses supported by the scientific method and experimental evidence.

What do scientific theories include?

Testable hypotheses.

What do scientific theories represent?

Ideas of which scientists are most certain.

What observation did Darwin make in the Galapagos Islands that contributed to his theory of evolution?

He observed different species of finches with varying beak shapes, which he believed represented evolutionary adaptation.

How did Darwin explain the development of different beak shapes in finches?

He suggested that natural selection promoted the development of beaks that improved the birds' ability to eat the foods available in their specific island habitats.

What is phenotype?

Phenotype refers to the observable features of an organism, which can include form and function.

What largely determines an organism's phenotype?

An organism's phenotype is largely determined by its genetic information, or genome.

How can environmental factors influence an organism's phenotype?

Environmental factors can create subtle phenotypic differences, as seen in identical twins who share the same genetic information.

Why is classification of organisms necessary?

Classification facilitates the study of life and communication among biologists, ensuring they refer to the same types of organisms.

What are the two main fields associated with the classification of organisms?

Taxonomy and systematics.

What does the field of taxonomy focus on?

Taxonomy focuses on the classification and naming of organisms.