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BIOL1130 > TBR 1 - Core concepts in biology > Flashcards

TBR 1 - Core concepts in biology Flashcards

(37 cards)

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1
Q

What is the study of biology?

A
  • The science of life/living
  • A point of convergence for the info and tools from all natural sciences
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2
Q

What does the study of biology not reveal?

A

No new laws of nature - just how existing laws work

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3
Q

What allows the complexity of living systems?

A

Sun’s constant energy -> organic molecules by photosynthesis

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4
Q

What 2 sciences underly the workings of biology?

A
  1. Chemistry for the chemical workings of cells
  2. Physics for thermodynamics and energy conversion
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5
Q

Why is biology the focus of the multidisciplinary approach to science?

A

Biological problems require multiple different approaches to get solutions

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6
Q

List the 7 characteristics of living systems

A
  1. Cellular organisation
  2. Ordered complexity
  3. Sensitivity = stimuli
  4. Growth, dvlpmt, reproduction
  5. Energy utilisation
  6. Homeostasis
  7. Evolutionary adaptation
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7
Q

Describe the cellular level of hierachical organisation

A
  • Atoms to molecules to organelles in cells
  • Cell as basic unit of life
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8
Q

Describe the 3 levels of organismal level of hierarchical organisation

A
  1. Tissues = similar cells in functional unit
  2. Organs = different tissues in structural and functional unit
  3. Organ systems = different organs
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9
Q

Describe the 3 levels of populational level of hierarchical organisation

A
  1. Population = same species and space
  2. Species = interbreed and similar appearance
  3. Community = populations of different species in same place
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10
Q

Describe the ecosystem level of hierarchical organisation

A

Populations x environment = ecosystem

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11
Q

Describe the biosphere level of hierarchical organisation

A

Entire planet as 1 big ecosystem

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12
Q

What are emergent properties in hierarchical organisation?

A
  • Novel properties from the way components interact and can’t be found by studying individual components
  • Eg studying 1 cell doesn’t tell you about whole organism
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13
Q

What is science concerned with?

A

Developing an increasingly accurate understanding of the world using observation and reasoning

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14
Q

What is deductive reasoning - definition, what does it test, how?

A
  • Use of general principles to predict a specific result
  • Tests validity
  • Uses maths and philosophy
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15
Q

What is inductive reasoning- definition, what does it test?

A
  • Use of specific observations to make a generalization
  • Tests hypotheses
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16
Q

What is a hypothesis?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Suggested explanation for observations
  • Testable predictions
  • Subject to future rejection by new info
17
Q

What is a control group used for?

Study These Flashcards
A

Keeping variable of interest constant to compare to changed/experimental variable

18
Q

What is reductionism and its issues in biology?

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A
  • Understanding a complex system by reducing it to working parts eg biochem
  • Emergent properties and enzymes etc might not behave the same in isolation
19
Q

Why do scientists used models?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Organise problem
  • Away from extreme reductionism
  • Apply isolated knowledge in cellular context
20
Q

What are the 2 definitions of ‘theory’ in science?

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A
  1. Proposed explanation for natural phenomenon
  2. Concepts supported by reasoning and evidence
21
Q

Compare basic vs applied research

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Basic = extend what we know
  • Applied = putting basic research in industrial context
22
Q

Explain the 1st core concept of biology - life subject to chemical and physical laws

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Biological systems = complex chemistry
  • No new laws just application of existing
  • Relevant to all biology not just cells and molecules
23
Q

Explain the 2nd core concept of biology - structure determines function

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Know the function = infer function of similar structures elsewhere
  • Alter structure = disrupt function = potential physiological consequences
24
Q

Explain the 3rd core concept of biology - living systems transform energy and matter

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A
  • Original source from sun
  • Photosynthesis makes organics for others to use
  • Constant energy = non-equilibrium = complex self-organisation
25
Explain the 4th core concept of biology - living systems depend on info transactions
- DNA = genome, heredity, synthesis, protein folding, gene expression - Signal transduction = change behaviour, morphology, physiology
26
Explain the 5th core concept of biology - evolution explains unity and diversity
- 3.5 BYA origin of life with some features preserved - Conserved = fundamental - Unity = shared conserved features - Diversity = evolutionary change
27
Define sympatric
Differentiation (phenotype) of populations into species in same area
28
Describe the phenotypical variation patterns noted in populations in different areas and how they result
- Distant populations distinct but connected by in-between populations with intermediate phenotype - Due to gene flow
29
Define the biological species concept and causes reproductive isolation
- Groups of interbreeding populations reproductively isolated from other groups - Not in contact or can interbreed but choose not to
30
What is the 1st law of thermodynamics and what form of energy is a one-way conversion?
- Energy can't be created or destroyed - only change forms - Heat is one-way
31
What forms of energy do plants and animals need and what form do they release?
- Animals need chemical energy, plants need light - Both lose energy as heat = radiation
32
What is the productivity of a trophic level?
Rate at which organisms in the level collectively make new organics
33
What is cross primary productivity (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP)?
- GPP = raw rate of primary producers making new organics - NPP = GPP minus respiration of primary producers = organics available for herbivores
34
How much solar energy is captured vs how much becomes heat?
1% captured, 99% heat
35
Where is energy lost as it's passed between trophic levels (3 possibilities)?
1. Chemical bond energy in faeces 2. Converted to heat during cellular processes 3. Herbivores die of disease/accident instead of eaten
36
Define trophic cascade/top-down effects and when they occur
- Effects in upper trophic level influence 2+ lower levels - Changes in top level affects primary producers
37
When do bottom-up effects occur?
Changes to primary producers affect higher trophic levels ie increased primary production

BIOL1130 (7 decks)

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