Pearson Mastering Biology Chapter 1

DNA is composed of building blocks called _____.

Nucleotides

-DNA is composed of nucleotide units

In eukaryotic cells DNA has the appearance of a _____.

Double helix

-Eukaryotic DNA is organized as a double helix

What is the correct order for the hierarchy of biological organization from the least to the most complex?

molecule, organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism, population, community, ecosystem

Which of the following statements is true about chemical elements in an ecosystem?

They recycle within the ecosystem, being constantly reused

-Chemicals cycle through the ecosystem by processes such as the decomposition of organic debris.

All of the individuals of the same species living within a specified area is known as a

Population

All of the living things in a particular area along with all of the nonliving aspects of the environment with which organisms interact is known as

An ecosystem.

Which of the following correctly describes the forms by which energy flows through an ecosystem from entry to exit?

light → chemical → heat

Which taxonomic domain includes multicellular photosynthetic organisms?

Eukarya

-Plants and certain algae are multicellular photosynthetic organisms included in the kingdom Plantae of the domain Eukarya.

Living things are divided into three different domains. Which of these domains are classified as prokaryotes?

Bacteria and Archaea

Strong evidence in support of the common ancestry of all life comes from

The existence of a nearly universal genetic code.

Charles Darwin proposed that "descent with modification" resulted when organisms of a particular species become adapted to their environment because they possess

heritable traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in the local environment.

Which of these individuals is likely to be most successful in an evolutionary sense?

an organism that dies after five days of life but leaves 10 offspring, all of whom survive to reproduce

Which of the following was Charles Darwin's most significant original contribution to understanding both the unity and diversity of life?

He proposed a mechanism to explain the process of evolution

In order for a hypothesis to be used in science, which of the following must be true?

The hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable

-Hypotheses must be phrased in such a way that predictions can be made and tested.

Which of the following is true of a scientific theory?

It generates testable hypotheses, is supported by a large body of evidence, and is broad in scope.

In her studies of chimpanzee behavior, Jane Goodall collected both qualitative and quantitative data. Which of the following is an example of quantitative data?

Mothers and their infants typically nap for two to three hours each afternoon.

A controlled experiment is one in which

there are at least two groups, one of which does not receive the experimental treatment.

Why is it important that an experiment include a control group?

A control group provides a reference by which to determine if a particular outcome may reasonably result from the variable being tested.

All the organisms on your campus make up __________.

A community

Which of the following best describes the logic of scientific inquiry?

If my hypothesis is correct, I can expect certain test results.

Which example illustrates a property that emerges at the community level?

Metabolic cooperation between prokaryotic cells forms a biofilm that allows bacterial colonies to transport nutrients and wastes. Biofilms may damage industrial equipment or cause tooth decay.

-This emergent property emerges at the community level, due to the interactions among prokaryotic species forming the biofilm.

Select the most accurate statement about the interaction between a tree and its physical environment.

A tree and its physical environment alter each other.

The universal genetic language of DNA is common to virtually all organisms on Earth, however diverse. What is the best explanation for this fact?

All living things share a common genetic language of DNA because they share a common ancestry.

-The genetic code is arbitrary, at least to some extent. The fact that all organisms share a single genetic code is due to their common ancestry. Read about the core theme of biology: Evolution accounts for the unity and diversity of life.

Select the correct statement about the process of scientific inquiry.

It is possible to test hypotheses, such as those involving historical events, without conducting experiments.

-Although it is not possible to carry out experiments to test hypotheses about evolutionary relationships between living groups or about the timing of the origin of major evolutionary innovations, such hypotheses can be evaluated by making predictions about the expected findings that would result from these hypotheses. Data can then be collected to test whether these predictions are correct. Read about the forms of scientific inquiry and the scientific method.