Chapter 1

Question 1

Biology

Answer 1

Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, identification, and taxonomy.

The word “biology” is derived from the Greek word bios, “life,” and the suffix -logia, “study of.”

Question 2

Principles of Biology

Answer 2

1. Cells are the simplest units of life.
2. Living organisms use energy.
3. Living organisms interact with their environment.
4. Living organisms maintain homeostasis.
5. Living organisms grow and develop.
6. The genetic material provides a blueprint for reproduction.
7. Populations of organisms evolve from one generation to the next.
8. All species (past and present) are related by an evolutionary history.
9. Structure determines function.
10. New properties of life emerge from complex interactions.
11. Biology is an experimental science.
12. Biology affects our society.

Question 3

Levels of Biological Organization

Answer 3

1. Atoms
2. Molecules and macromolecules
3. Cells
4. Tissues
5. Organs
6. Organism
7. Population
8. Community
9. Ecosystem
10. Biosphere

Question 4

Unity of Life

Answer 4

All life displays a common set of characteristics, and is united by a shared evolutionary history.

Question 5

Diversity of Life

Answer 5

Life has a diversity of form in diverse environments.

Question 6

Life began on Earth as primitive cells ________ billion years ago (bya).

Answer 6

3.5-4

Question 7

Evolutionary history helps us understand _______ of an organism.

Answer 7

the structure and function

Question 8

Evolutionary change involves _____ of pre-existing characteristics.

Answer 8

modification

Question 9

Structures may be modified to _______________.

Answer 9

serve new purposes

Question 10

Mechanism of evolutionary change: vertical descent with modification

Answer 10

Progression of changes in a lineage

New species evolve from pre-existing species by the accumulation of mutations.

Natural selection takes advantage of beneficial mutations.

Question 11

Mechanism of evolutionary change: horizontal gene transfer

Answer 11

Genetic exchange between different species

Relatively rare.

Genes that confer antibiotic resistance are sometimes transferred between different bacteria species.

Question 12

Taxonomy

Answer 12

Taxonomy is the grouping of species based on common ancestry.

Question 13

Three domains of life

Answer 13

Bacteria
Archaea
Eukarya

Question 14

Domain Bacteria

Answer 14

Unicellular prokaryotes that inhabit many diverse environments on earth.

Question 15

Domain Archaea

Answer 15

Unicellular prokaryotes that often live in extreme environments, such as hot springs.

Question 16

Domain Eukarya

Answer 16

Unicellular and multicellular organisms having cells with internal components that serve various functions, including a nucleus.

Four kingdoms: Protista, Plantae, Fungi, Animalia

Question 17

Prokaryotes

Answer 17

An organism that has neither a distinct nucleus with a membrane nor other specialized organelles.

Question 18

Eukaryotes

Answer 18

Cells or organisms that possess a clearly defined nucleus and organelles.

Question 19

Binomial nomenclature

Answer 19

Each species has a unique scientific name.

Genus name is capitalized.

Species descriptor is not capitalized.

Both names are italicized.

Question 20

How are organisms classified?

Answer 20

A species is placed into progressively smaller groups that are more closely related.

Question 21

Genome

Answer 21

The complete genetic makeup of an organism.

Question 22

Genomics

Answer 22

Techniques used to analyze DNA sequences

Comparison of genomes of different species

Question 23

Proteome

Answer 23

The complete complement of proteins of an organism

Question 24

Proteomics

Answer 24

Techniques used to analyze the proteins of a species

Comparison of proteomes of different species

Question 25

The relationship between the genome and the proteome

Answer 25

The genome carries the information to make the proteome.

Question 26

Science

Answer 26

The observation, identification, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena.

Question 27

Branches of biology

Answer 27

Ecology, anatomy, physiology, cell biology, molecular biology, systems biology, etc.

Question 28

Scientific hypothesis

Answer 28

A proposed explanation for a natural phenomenon Based on previous observations or experiments Hypotheses must make predictions that can be shown to be correct or incorrect/must be testable Additional observations or experiments can support or reject a hypothesis, but a hypothesis is never really proven

Question 29

Scientific theory

Answer 29

Broad explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is substantiated by a large body of evidence Allows us to make many predictions Can never be proven totally true, but due to overwhelming evidence, may be very likely to be true Consistent with vast amounts of known data, and able to make many correct predictions

Question 30

Scientific law

Answer 30

This is a statement of fact meant to describe, in concise terms, an action or set of actions. It is generally accepted to be true and universal, and can sometimes be expressed in terms of a single mathematical equation. Scientific laws are similar to mathematical postulates. They are accepted at face value based on the fact that they have always been observed to be true. Scientific laws must be simple, true, universal, and absolute.

Question 31

Discovery-based science

Answer 31

Collection and analysis of data without the need for a preconceived hypothesis Goal is to gather information Often leads to hypothesis testing

Question 32

Scientific method

Answer 32

1. Observations are made regarding natural phenomena 2. These observations lead to a testable hypothesis that tries to explain the phenomena 3. Experiments are conducted to determine if the predictions are correct 4. The data are analyzed 5. The hypothesis is accepted or rejected

Question 33

Data analysis

Answer 33

Apply statistical analysis to determine if the control and experimental groups are different because of the single variable that is different Are differences statistically significant? If the two sets are found not to be significantly different, we must reject our hypothesis. If two sets of data are significantly different, we accept our hypothesis (though it is not proven).