Bio Chap 1

What is the smallest unit of organization that can perform all activities required for life?

The cell.

What are the two main types of cells?

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic.

What does reductionism refer to in biology?

The approach of reducing complex systems into simpler components.

What is systems biology?

An approach that analyzes the interactions among the parts of a biological system.

What is an emergent property?

A characteristic that arises at a certain level of biological organization due to the arrangement and interactions of parts.

What is DNA?

The genetic material that carries information from one generation to the next.

What are genes?

Units of inheritance that encode the information needed to build all molecules synthesized within a cell.

What is gene expression?

The process that uses RNA as an intermediary to control protein production.

What is a genome?

The entire library of genetic instructions an organism inherits.

What is genomics?

The study of whole sets of genes.

What is proteomics?

The study of whole sets of proteins.

What does energy flow through ecosystems usually enter as?

Sunlight.

What is negative feedback?

A process where the response reduces the initial stimulus.

What is an example of negative feedback in the human body?

Insulin signaling that lowers blood glucose levels.

What characterizes positive feedback?

The end product speeds up its own production.

What is evolution?

The process of biological change in which species accumulate differences from their ancestors.

What are the three domains of life?

Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

What does Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection explain?

How evolution occurs through survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits.

What is descent with modification?

The duality of unity and diversity in life through common ancestry and evolutionary changes.

What is the scientific inquiry process?

Seeking information and explanations through observations, hypotheses, and experiments.

What is an inductive reasoning?

Deriving generalizations from a large number of specific observations.

What is deductive reasoning?

Using general premises to make specific predictions.

What is a scientific hypothesis?

A testable explanation based on observations.

What is the limitation of scientific inquiry?

It can only address testable hypotheses about natural phenomena.

How is scientific inquiry characterized?

It is flexible and rarely follows a rigid method.

What is the role of collaboration in science?

Scientists build on each other's work to advance knowledge.

How do science and technology differ?

Science seeks to understand natural phenomena, while technology applies scientific knowledge for specific purposes.

How do diversity and representation impact scientific progress?

They enrich scientific discourse and lead to more valuable research.

What are the five unifying themes in biology?

Organization, Information, Energy & Matter, Interactions, Evolution

What is the role of ethical considerations in science?

Informed decision-making by scientists and citizens on societal impacts.

What is the significance of interactions in biological systems?

Interactions ensure smooth operation within organisms and ecosystems.

What is feedback regulation in the context of biological systems?

Processes that utilize feedback mechanisms to maintain homeostasis.

How does energy transformation relate to matter in ecosystems?

Energy flows through ecosystems while chemicals are recycled.

What does the ability to perform life activities indicate about a cell?

It indicates the cell is the smallest unit of life.

What are the kingdoms included in the domain Eukarya?

Plantae, Fungi, Animalia, and protists.

What motivates scientists to conduct experiments?

To test predictions based on scientific hypotheses.

Why is the genetic code considered universal?

It indicates shared ancestry among all life forms.

What are the levels of biological organization

 biosphere, ecosystems, communities, populations, organisms, organs, tissues, cells, organelles, and molecules.