Chapter 1 Exam Study Guide - BIO 111

What is the correct order of biological organization from smallest to largest?

Atom → Molecule → Organelle → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biosphere

What are emergent properties in biology?

Properties that arise at each higher level of organization that are not present at lower levels (e.g., memory from interacting brain cells).

What are the five characteristics of life?

1) Organization, 2) Energy use, 3) Homeostasis, 4) Reproduction & development, 5) Evolution

Example of “Organization” as a characteristic of life?

Cells form tissues, tissues form organs, organs form systems, and systems form an organism.

Example of “Energy use” as a characteristic of life?

Plants use sunlight; humans extract energy from food molecules.

Example of “Homeostasis” as a characteristic of life?

Humans sweating to cool down; dogs panting.

Example of “Reproduction & development” as a characteristic of life?

Bacteria reproducing by binary fission; a child growing into an adult.

Example of “Evolution” as a characteristic of life?

Populations of bacteria developing antibiotic resistance.

What are two universal traits of all organisms (not part of the 5 main characteristics)?

All living things are made of at least one cell, and all cells have genetic material

Define primary producers

Organisms that extract energy and nutrients from the nonliving environment (e.g., plants)

Define consumers.

Organisms that obtain energy and nutrients by eating other organisms (e.g., a rabbit).

Define decomposers.

Consumers that obtain nutrients from dead organisms and organic wastes (e.g., fungi, worms).

Define homeostasis.

The maintenance of internal constancy despite changing external conditions.

Example of homeostasis in humans

Shivering when cold or sweating when hot.

Difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?

Sexual requires two parents and produces genetically diverse offspring. Asexual requires one parent and produces genetically identical offspring.

What does the prefix “a-” in asexual mean?

Without, lacking, opposite.

Why is genetic variation beneficial?

It allows traits that improve survival (e.g., camouflage, resistance to pesticides) to arise.

Define natural selection.

The process where organisms with beneficial adaptations survive and reproduce, passing on those traits.

How does natural selection lead to evolution?

Beneficial traits become more common in populations over generations.

Difference between growth and development?

Growth = increase in size (cell division). Development = changes as an organism matures (specialization, reproduction ability).

Define eukaryotic cell.

A cell that contains a nucleus.

Define prokaryotic cell.

A cell that lacks a nucleus.

What are key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Prokaryotes are small, simple, lack organelles; eukaryotes are larger, complex, with many organelles.

Which domains contain prokaryotic cells?

Bacteria and Archaea.

Define taxonomy

The science of naming and classifying organisms

What do all cells have in common?

Cell membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, cytoskeleton, and DNA