Principles of Biology I - Chapter 1 Review Flashcards

Flashcards based on lecture notes covering the chemical, cellular, and evolutionary foundations of life, including the scientific method, laws of thermodynamics, cell theory, and evolution.

What are the four components of the scientific method?

Exploration, Investigation, Communication and Establish a Theory

What is the first law of thermodynamics?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another. All organisms convert input energy into heat and work.

What is the second law of thermodynamics?

The degree of disorder (entropy) in the universe tends to increase.

What does the cell theory state regarding cells?

All living organisms are composed of cells, and cells are the basic units of structure and function in living organisms.

Name at least 3 features of cells

Store and transmit information, plasma membrane describes its boundaries and transforms energy and materials from the environment into biomass

What two sources does energy come from?

Metabolism

Define evolution

The heritable change in populations of biological organisms over time. It is not directed and consists of two types of variation which are environmental and genetic. It is a gradual and continual process that is ongoing today.