1.11 Unit Test: The Science of Biology

Biology

The study of living organisms and life processes.

Scientific Methods

The systematic processes followed by scientists to investigate phenomena and acquire knowledge.

Aristotle’s natural philosophy

The idea that questions about the natural world could be answered through human reasoning alone.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction or proposed explanation about what will happen during an experiment.

Basis of a scientific hypothesis

Prior observations, existing scientific knowledge, and logical reasoning.

Experiments

A set of organized steps scientists follow under controlled conditions to test a theory/hypothesis.

Progression of steps in the scientific process

Observation and research lead to questions, hypotheses, experiments, and conclusions.

Ornamentation

Flashy colors and extravagant displays in organisms that serve several purposes, including mating.

Role of an "if-then" statement

Identifies the variable of interest in a study and indicates what kind of data to collect.

Variable

In an experiment, a factor that is unknown or can change

Control group

In an experiment, a group that a scientist can compare to another group that is identical except for one property or factor

Independent variable

The variable that is manipulated during an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured during an experiment.

Statistical Analysis of data

Process which helps scientists determine differences between control and experimental group.

What happens when the results of a study do not agree with the hypothesis?

They alter their hypothesis, design a new experiment, and begin a new study.

Modern Cell Theory

1. The cell is the smallest living unit in all organisms.

2. All living things are made of cells.

3. All cells come from other pre-existing cells.

Why do organisms take in energy from their environment?

They use this energy to grow, reproduce, and maintain structure.

As one of the primary activities of life, what challenges are met?

Living things meet the challenges of getting and using energy.

Where does most life on Earth get it’s energy from?

The Sun.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical processes required to maintain life.

Examples of metabolism

• Capturing the sun’s energy

• Processing the chemical energy of food

• Building molecules and breaking them down.

What is a cell?

The fundamental unit of life that carries out all life processes.

What is all life made out of?

Cells.

Function of cells

They grow, develop, reproduce, pass along genetic info from parent to offspring, conduct chemical reactions, and respond to the environment.

What are the characteristics of life?

Cellular Organization, Metabolism, Response, Homeostasis, Growth and Development, Heredity, Adaptation through Evolution, Reproduction.

Homeostasis

A state of balance reached through reactions within a cell or organism.

Maintaining homeostasis involves…

• Controlling the balance of water and minerals in the body.

• Responding to changes in the environment.

• Controlling metabolism.

Response

A set of behaviors directed at organisms when changes in both the living and non-living environment occur.

Cellular Organization

All living things are made of one or more cells, which are the basic units of life.

Heredity.

Organisms pass genetic information (DNA or RNA) to their children.

Reproduction

Living things produce new offspring to continue their species, which can be sexual or asexual.

Growth and Development

Organisms grow larger and change over time following genetic instructions.

Adaptation through Evolution

Populations of living things change and adapt over generations to survive.

Organism

Any living thing that takes in food, grows, and reproduces.

What must living organisms require to exist?

They require energy, carry out chemical reactions, maintain homeostasis, and respond to their environments.

Organells

A differentiated membrane-bound structure within a cell that performs a specific function.

What would happen if organelles didn’t exist?

An organism and its cells would cease to exist.

Nucleus

Contains DNA that carries genetic info from parent to offspring and controls all functions of the cell.

Lysosome

A vesicle filled with enzymes that help break down materials in a cell.

Mitochondrion.

Generates usable energy from glucose.

Ribosomes

Site of protein synthesis, structures are attached to the ER or suspended in the cytosol.

Rough ER

Synthesizes protein, has ribosomes attached, and exports proteins to the Golgi body in vesicles.

ER

Series of interconnected flattened membrane sacs, tubes, and channels.

How many kinds of ER are there, and what are their names?

2 kinds, Rough ER and Smooth ER.

Smooth ER

Aids in the transport of molecules within a cell.

Nucleolus

Region of nucleus where a certain type of RNA (ribosomal rRNA) is produced.

Tissue

A group of cells similar in structure and work together to perform a certain function.

Organ

A group of tissues that work together to perform a specific function.

Red Blood Cells

Carries a protein called hemoglobin that helps bring oxygen from the lungs to the cells, so they can carry out cellular respiration.

Hair Cells

Produces a protein called keratin, forms filament-like structures that line to form hairs.

Bone cells

Helps to support the body by using calcium and phosphate to produce a mineral that helps make bones hard.

Skin cells

Helps protect the body by blocking pathogens and removing them when necessary. Provides melanin.

Nerve Cells

Allows messages from the brain to pass through them and tells muscles how and when to move.

Muscle Cells

Responsible for movement, they contract when receiving impulses from nerve cells.

What are the Multicellular Organisms Levels?

Cell, tissue, organ, organ systems.

4 Basic Types of Tissues

Epithelial tissue - cells that cover body surfaces. Connective tissue - supports and strengthens other tissues. Muscle tissue - causes the body to move. Nerve tissue - runs through the other three, receives and processes information.

Organs in your body are arranged into what?

Organ systems.

What are Organ systems?

Specialized groups in your body that function together.

Ecosystem

A community or group of organisms living and interacting with each other and their environment.

Biotic

relating to factors that are associated with or result from the activities of living organisms.

Abiotic

Relating to nonbiological factors

Community

All of the populations that live and interact with each other in a particular area.

Population

All of the members of one species that live in a common area and whose population dynamics are different from those of other populations.

Biome

A large area dominated by characteristic plants and animals, such as a rainforest, desert, or tundra.

What role does response play in organisms?

Response allows organisms to maintain homeostasis.

Evolutionary adaptation

A characteristic or behavior that is inherited or passed from parents to their offspring.

What process describes how organisms with traits that help them survive and reproduce are more likely to pass those traits to their offspring?

Natural selection.

How do populations of organisms evolve?

Within the context of a particular environment.