bio mid term

Question 1

What steps are in the scientific method?

Answer 1

1. Observation 2. Question 3. Hypothesis 4. Experiment 5. Analysis 6. Conclusion

Question 2

What is the control in an experiment?

Answer 2

The standard for comparison that remains constant

Question 3

Define controlled variable.

Answer 3

Variables that are kept constant to ensure valid results

Question 4

What are dependent and independent variables?

Answer 4

Dependent: measured outcome; Independent: manipulated factor

Question 5

Why are replications in an experiment important?

Answer 5

They validate results and ensure reliability

Question 6

What makes something alive?

Answer 6

Characteristics such as growth, reproduction, response to stimuli

Question 7

What is a scientific theory?

Answer 7

A well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world

Question 8

How is a scientific theory different from a fact?

Answer 8

Theory: explanation; Fact: observable phenomenon

Question 9

Who were some of Darwin’s early influences?

Answer 9

Lamarck, Lyell, Malthus

Question 10

What is required for natural selection to occur?

Answer 10

Variation, competition, survival of the fittest

Question 11

What leads to convergent evolution?

Answer 11

Similar environmental pressures leading to similar adaptations

Question 12

What leads to divergent evolution?

Answer 12

Different environmental pressures leading to varied adaptations

Question 13

What is allopatric speciation?

Answer 13

Speciation that occurs when populations are geographically isolated

Question 14

What types of allopatric speciation are there?

Answer 14

Vicariance, dispersal

Question 15

What is sympatric speciation?

Answer 15

Speciation that occurs without geographical isolation

Question 16

What types of sympatric speciation are there?

Answer 16

Polyploidy, behavioral isolation

Question 17

What are the six evolutionary forces of populations?

Answer 17

• Natural selection * Mutation * Gene flow * Genetic drift * Non-random mating * Extinction

Question 18

How does each evolutionary force drive evolution forward?

Answer 18

Each force contributes to genetic variation and adaptation

Question 19

How are evolutionary relationships depicted?

Answer 19

Using phylogenetic trees

Question 20

What are the four different levels of ecology?

Answer 20

• Organism * Population * Community * Ecosystem

Question 21

What is the relationship among parental care, number of offspring, and energy allocation?

Answer 21

More parental care typically means fewer offspring

Question 22

What leads to population growth?

Answer 22

Increased birth rates, decreased death rates

Question 23

What leads to population decline?

Answer 23

Increased death rates, decreased birth rates

Question 24

What are the age structures of rapidly growing countries?

Answer 24

Pyramid-shaped age structure

Question 25

What are the age structures of slowly growing countries?

Answer 25

Column-shaped age structure

Question 26

What are the age structures of countries with zero population growth?

Answer 26

Rectangular-shaped age structure

Question 27

What are types of innate behaviors in a population?

Answer 27

* Reflexes * Fixed action patterns * Imprinting

Question 28

How have predators and prey evolved to be successful?

Answer 28

Through adaptations such as camouflage, speed, and hunting strategies

Question 29

What are active and passive defense strategies that organisms use against predators?

Answer 29

* Active: fleeing, fighting; * Passive: camouflage, mimicry

Question 30

What is symbiosis?

Answer 30

A close ecological relationship between two or more species

Question 31

What are the different types of symbiosis?

Answer 31

* Mutualism * Commensalism * Parasitism

Question 32

How does human activity impact biogeochemical cycles?

Answer 32

Through pollution, deforestation, and climate change

Question 33

What influences the distribution of living things on Earth?

Answer 33

Climate, habitat availability, and human activity

Question 34

What sort of areas are endemic species found?

Answer 34

Isolated regions with unique environmental conditions

Question 35

What are the roles of pioneer, foundational, and keystone species in establishing an ecosystem?

Answer 35

* Pioneer: colonize barren areas; * Foundational: create habitat; * Keystone: maintain ecosystem balance

Question 36

What is the relationship between the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics and food chains?

Answer 36

Energy decreases at each trophic level

Question 37

What are characteristics of each trophic level in a food chain?

Answer 37

* Producers: autotrophs; * Primary consumers: herbivores; * Secondary consumers: carnivores; * Tertiary consumers: apex predators

Question 38

What are examples of each trophic level?

Answer 38

* Producers: plants; * Primary consumers: rabbits; * Secondary consumers: snakes; * Tertiary consumers: hawks

Question 39

What are the current threats to biodiversity?

Answer 39

* Habitat loss * Climate change * Invasive species * Pollution

Question 40

What are the differences between invertebrates and vertebrates?

Answer 40

* Invertebrates: no backbone; * Vertebrates: have a backbone

Question 41

What are the differences between endotherms and ectotherms?

Answer 41

* Endotherms: regulate body temperature internally; * Ectotherms: rely on external sources for body temperature

Question 42

Which animals are endothermic?

Answer 42

* Birds * Mammals

Question 43

Which animals are ectothermic?

Answer 43

* Reptiles * Amphibians * Fish

Question 44

What are advantages and disadvantages of external and internal forms of fertilization?

Answer 44

* External: high offspring number but low survival; * Internal: fewer offspring but higher survival

Question 45

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being sessile?

Answer 45

* Advantages: stable habitat; * Disadvantages: limited mobility

Question 46

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being motile?

Answer 46

* Advantages: can escape predators; * Disadvantages: energy expenditure

Question 47

What is the difference between closed and open circulatory systems?

Answer 47

* Closed: blood enclosed in vessels; * Open: blood flows freely in body cavities

Question 48

How are fish adapted to live aquatically?

Answer 48

Gills for gas exchange, streamlined bodies

Question 49

How are amphibians adapted to living in moist environments?

Answer 49

Moist skin for respiration, aquatic larval stages

Question 50

How are reptiles adapted to live terrestrially?

Answer 50

Scales to prevent water loss, internal fertilization

Question 51

How are birds adapted to flight?

Answer 51

Hollow bones, feathers, high metabolic rate

Question 52

How are marine mammals adapted to live in the ocean?

Answer 52

Streamlined bodies, blubber for insulation

Question 53

What are the different systems within the human body?

Answer 53

* Circulatory * Respiratory * Digestive * Nervous * Endocrine * Muscular * Skeletal

Question 54

How do the systems within the human body work together?

Answer 54

They coordinate functions to maintain homeostasis

Question 55

What is bioenergetics?

Answer 55

Study of energy flow through living systems

Question 56

What are the four steps of processing food?

Answer 56

* Ingestion * Digestion * Absorption * Elimination

Question 57

What is ATP?

Answer 57

Adenosine triphosphate, the energy currency of cells

Question 58

How do neurons communicate?

Answer 58

Through electrical impulses and neurotransmitters

Question 59

What are the five senses?

Answer 59

* Sight * Hearing * Taste * Smell * Touch

Question 60

What are the three steps for processing sensory stimuli?

Answer 60

* Reception * Transduction * Interpretation

Question 61

Understand the roles of the following hormones: cortisol, serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine, estrogen, testosterone, insulin, HGH, and epinephrine/adrenaline.

Answer 61

Each hormone regulates various physiological processes

Question 62

What are the four stages of bone repair?

Answer 62

* Hematoma formation * Fibrocartilaginous callus formation * Bony callus formation * Bone remodeling

Question 63

Describe the path of oxygen in and out of the human body.

Answer 63

Nasal cavity → Trachea → Bronchi → Lungs → Alveoli → Bloodstream → Cells → Carbon dioxide back to lungs

Question 64

What protective mechanisms does the human body have to prevent damage or infection when respiring?

Answer 64

Mucus, cilia, and alveolar macrophages

Question 65

What causes carbon monoxide poisoning?

Answer 65

Inhalation of carbon monoxide, which binds to hemoglobin

Question 66

What is the role of hemoglobin in the human body?

Answer 66

Transporting oxygen from lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide back

Question 67

What is the innate immune system?

Answer 67

The body's first line of defense against pathogens

Question 68

What is the adaptive immune system?

Answer 68

A specialized immune response that develops over time

Question 69

What are antibodies?

Answer 69

Proteins produced by the immune system to neutralize pathogens

Question 70

How do antibodies work?

Answer 70

They bind to specific antigens on pathogens

Question 71

Why is a fever a 'good thing' during a bacterial infection?

Answer 71

It enhances immune response and inhibits bacterial growth