Lesson 2: Living Systems from the Biological Perspectives

A system is defined as __________.

A group of interacting and interdependent elements that form a complex whole.

Why is systems thinking important? __________.

It helps identify causes and effects, feedback loops, and unintended consequences.

Elements or structures in a system are __________.

The building blocks or parts of a system.

Interconnections or interactions in a system __________.

Relationships that hold the elements together.

The function or purpose of a system can be illustrated by __________.

What the system produces or maintains.

The Law of Specialization states that __________.

The more highly adapted an organism is to a specific environment, the more difficult it is for it to adapt to a different environment.

Living systems involve interactions between __________ and __________ components.

The living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components.

Living systems have __________ properties that arise from the interaction of factors in a high-level system.

Emergent properties.

Examples of transcending functions of living systems include __________.

Energetics, evolution, development, regulation, behavior, diversity, and integration.

Energetics involves __________ and __________.

Energy transformation and matter conversion.

Forest fires are considered beneficial because they __________.

Allow new life to occur, especially for plants that need specific conditions to grow.

Artificial selection or selective breeding aims to __________.

Increase the value of an organism to our advantage.

Living systems are largely __________ with purpose and goals.

Open systems.

Feedback mechanisms are used to __________.

Return a body or ecosystem to a normal state.

Negative feedback or balancing feedback leads to __________.

An increase in input resulting in a decrease in output, and vice versa.

Positive feedback or reinforcing feedback leads to __________.

An increase in input resulting in an increase in output, and vice versa.