BIOL 1306 Chapter 1

What is evolution in biology?

Change in the genetic composition of a population over generations.

What is natural selection?

The process where individuals with advantageous traits tend to leave more offspring, causing those traits to become more common.

What are the main characteristics of living organisms?

Order, evolutionary adaptation, response to the environment, regulation, energy processing, growth and development, reproduction.

What is the smallest unit that can perform all the characteristics of life?

Cell.

What are the three domains of life?

Bacteria (prokaryotic), Archaea (prokaryotic), Eukarya (eukaryotic).

What is the scientific method?

A process involving observation, question, hypothesis, experiment, results, and conclusion.

What is the difference between a hypothesis and a scientific theory?

A hypothesis is a testable explanation for an observation; a scientific theory is a well-supported explanation backed by a large body of evidence.

What is an independent variable?

The factor that the researcher changes in an experiment.

What is a dependent variable?

The factor that the researcher measures in an experiment.

What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?

To provide a baseline for comparison against the experimental group.

List the levels of biological organization.

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