Ch 1: The Science of Life

Question 1

Seven Characteristics of Life

Answer 1

1. Cellular Organization
2. Ordered Complexity
3. Sensitivity
4. Growth, Development, ad Reproduction
5. Energy Utilization
6. Homeostasis
7. Evolutionary Adaptation

Question 2

Hierarchical Organization of Living Systems

Answer 2

1. The cellular level - atoms > molecules > organelles > cells.
2. The organismal level - tissues > organs > organ systems.
3. The populational level - population > species > biological community.
4. The ecosystem level - (population + environment).
5. The biosphere - entire planet (biosphere).

Question 3

Homeostasis

Answer 3

The maintenance of a relatively stable internal physiological environment in an organism; usually involves some form of feedback self-regulation.

Question 4

Atoms

Answer 4

The smallest unit of an element that contains all the characteristics of that element. Atoms are the building blocks of matter.

Question 5

Molecules

Answer 5

Clusters of atoms

Question 6

Organelles

Answer 6

Complex biological molecules that are assembled into tiny structures within a cell.

Question 7

Cells

Answer 7

Basic unit of life. Holds organelles within a membrane bounded wall.

Question 8

Tissues

Answer 8

A group of similar cells organized into a structural and functional unit.

Question 9

Organs

Answer 9

A body structure composed of several different tissues grouped in a structural and functional unit.

Question 10

Organ systems

Answer 10

Group of organs that comprise a whole system.

Question 11

Population

Answer 11

Any group of individuals, usually of a single species, occupying a given area at the same time.

Question 12

Deductive reasoning

Answer 12

The logical application of general principles to predict a specific result. In science, deductive reasoning is used to test the validity of general ideas.

Question 13

Inductive reasoning

Answer 13

The logical application of specific observations to make a generalization. In science, inductive reasoning is used to formulate testable hypotheses.

Question 14

Hypothesis

Answer 14

a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation

Question 15

Experiment

Answer 15

A test of one or more hypotheses. Hypotheses make contrasting predictions that can be tested experimentally in control and test experiments where a single variable is altered.

Question 16

Variables

Answer 16

variables
variable
A factor that influences a process, outcome, or observation. In experiments, scientists attempt to isolate variables to test hypotheses.

Question 17

Test experiment

Answer 17

One variable is altered in a known way to test a particular hypothesis.

Question 18

Control experiment

Answer 18

One variable is left unaltered.

Question 19

Reductionism

Answer 19

A philosophical approach to understand complex systems by reducing it to working parts.

Question 20

Theory (two meanings)

Answer 20

A proposed explanation for some natural phenomenon, often based on some general principle.

The body of interconnected concepts, supported by scientific reasoning and experimental evidence, that explains the facts in some area of study.

Question 21

Evolution

Answer 21

Genetic change in a population of organisms; in general, evolution leads to progressive change from simple to complex.

Question 22

Artificial selection

Answer 22

A way that breeders change how domesticated animals evolve by selecting certain characteristics to breed.

Question 23

Natural selection

Answer 23

A way that nature/environment causes certain favorable traits to pass on to the next generation that ensures survivability.

Question 24

Homologous

Answer 24

(1) Refers to similar structures that have the same evolutionary origin. (2) Refers to a pair of the same kind of chromosome in a diploid cell.

Question 25

analogous

Answer 25

Structures that are similar in function but different in evolutionary origin, such as the wing of a bat and the wing of a butterfly.

Question 26

Phylogenetic tree

Answer 26

A pattern of descent generated by analysis of similarities and differences among organisms. Modern gene-sequencing techniques have produced phylogenetic trees showing the evolutionary history of individual genes.

Question 27

Species

Answer 27

A king of organism; species are designated by binomial names written in italics.

Question 28

Biological community

Answer 28

All the populations of different species living together in one place; for example, all populations that inhabit a mountain meadow.

Question 29

Ecosystem

Answer 29

A major interacting system that includes organisms and their nonliving environment.

Question 30

Emergent properties

Answer 30

Novel properties arising from the way in which components interact. Emergent properties often cannot be deduced solely from knowledge of the individual components.

Question 31

Cell theory

Answer 31

Theory that states all living things are composed of cells.

Question 32

DNA(Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Answer 32

The genetic material of all organisms; composed of two complementary chains of nucleotide wound in a double helix.