Topic 1

Question 1

biology

Answer 1

• study of life & vital processes along with physiochemical aspects
• a point of convergence for the information and tools from all other natural sciences

Question 2

eukaryotic cells

Answer 2

Eukarya Domain

Question 3

prokaryotic cells

Answer 3

Bacteria & Archaea Domain

Question 4

genes

Answer 4

The basic unit of hereditary; a sequence of DNA nucleotides on a chromosome that encodes a protein, tRNA, or rRNA molecule, or regulates the transcription of such a sequence

Question 5

gene expression

Answer 5

The conversion of the genotype into the phenotypes; the process by which DNA is transcribes into RNA, which is then translated into protein product.

Question 6

emergent properties

Answer 6

• may develop as complex structures are assembled from simpler subunits

-often cannot be deduced solely from knowledge of the individual components

Question 7

systems biology

Answer 7

focuses on studying living organisms as a whole as well as understanding the workings of the parts of an organism

Question 8

connection of biology to the study of life

Answer 8

bio means life and ology means study

Question 9

levels of organization (hierarchy of life)

Answer 9

cellular, & ordered by complexity
(atoms/elements - molecules - organelles – cells – tissues – organs – organ systems – organisms – populations – communities – ecosystems – biosphere)

Question 10

cell theory

Answer 10

o Cells are the smallest unit of life
- (function of the cells is dependent on its organelles)
o All organisms are made of one or more cells
- Activity of an organism depends on cellular activity
o Cells only come from other cells (mitosis or meiosis)

Question 11

process of the scientific method

Answer 11

1. An observation is made: these observations should lead to general conclusions that could be addressed by experimentation.
2. A hypothesis is made: it should allow for predictions and should be testable.

Null hypothesis states theres no difference between control group and and treatment. Alternative hypothesis states that there is a difference. The difference or lack of difference is proved through statistical analysis.

3. Experimentation is done with control and changed variables. Experiment should be repeated for more confidence in conclusion.
4. A conclusion is made.
5. A theory is developed from multiple conclusions.
6. A law, a fact or proven idea, can be made.

Question 12

DNA

Answer 12

the genetic material of all organisms; composed of two complementary chains of nucleotides wound in a double helix

Question 13

genomics

Answer 13

the study of genomes as opposed to individual genes

Question 14

genome

Answer 14

the entire DNA sequence of an organism

Question 15

bioinformatics

Answer 15

A field of science that combines biological data with computer science, math, and physics. It is usually used for studying genomes and DNA sequencing. One can develop new technologies to obtain more data or create medicine.

Question 16

producers (autotrophs)

Answer 16

utilize energy from the sun through photosynthesis

Question 17

consumers (heterotrophs)

Answer 17

organisms that cannot produce their own food, so they must eat other animals or plants

Question 18

feedback regulation

Answer 18

control mechanism that uses the consequences of a process to regulate the rate at which the process occurs:

Question 19

positive feedback

Answer 19

feedback that tends to magnify a process or increase its output

Childbirth – stretching of uterine walls cause contractions that further stretch the walls (this continues until birthing occurs)
Lactation – the child feeding stimulates milk production which causes further feeding (continues until baby stops feeding)

Question 20

negative feedback

Answer 20

a homeostatic control mechanism whereby an increase in some substance or activity inhibits the process leading to the increase; also known as feedback inhibition

Question 21

evolution

Answer 21

genetic changes in a population of organisms; in general, evolution leads to progressive change from simple to complex. The idea that the characteristics of living things can and have changed during the history of life on Earth

• it is a theory supported by overwhelming scientific evidence
• is a unifying concept of biology, provides a conceptual framework that unifies biology as a science
• Natural selection is one mechanism that causes evolution to take place.

Question 22

domains

Answer 22

• created by taxonomists that categorize life into their phylogenetic classifications (bacteria, archaea, eukarya)
  -based in differences in ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences and their cell membrane lipid structure

Question 23

bacteria

Answer 23

• SINGLE CELLED
  most diverse and widespread prokaryotes and are now classified into multiple kingdoms.
• some are pathogenic while no archaea are pathogenic

Question 24

archaea

Answer 24

any of a group of SINGLE-CELLED prokaryotic organisms (that is, organisms whose cells lack a defined nucleus) that have distinct molecular characteristics separating them from bacteria

Question 25

eukarya

Answer 25

- true nucleus & membrane bound organelles - four kingdoms (plantae, fungi, animalia, protists) - single-celled and multicellular

Question 26

natural selection

Answer 26

The differential reproduction of genotypes; caused by factors in the environment; leads to evolutionary change. - mechanism that causes evolution to take place. - Darwin contributed the concept of natural selection, and Alfred Wallace arrived at the same idea at the same time as Darwin

Question 27

inquiry

Answer 27

using evidence from observations and investigations to create logical explanations and answer questions.

Question 28

inductive reasoning

Answer 28

- Logic flows opposingly as specific observations are used to construct general scientific principles - Leads to generalizations that can be tested - Mainly used for biological studies ex. A scientist observes 10 animal cells, 10 plant cells, 10 fungal cells, and 10 bacterial cells and determines they all possess ribosomes. Based on that, the scientist constructs a hypothesis that all cells have ribosomes

Question 29

hypothesis

Answer 29

- the starting point for explaining a body of observations - may or may not be true - can always be rejected when new info is brought to life -scientists test hypotheses by making predictions -A tentative explanation for a natural phenomenon

Question 30

deductive reasoning

Answer 30

(uses known principles) - Applies general principles to predict specific results - Is why math and philosophy can be used to validify general ideas ex. All bachelors are unmarried men - John is an unmarried man. - Therefore, John is a bachelor.

Question 31

data

Answer 31

any data that provide a characterization of the biological, genetic, biochemical and/or physiological properties, compositions, or activities of the sample materials data or measurements collected from biological sources

Question 32

experiment

Answer 32

designed to test predictions

Question 33

variable

Answer 33

a factor that influences a process, outcome, or observation. - scientists attempt to isolate variables to test hypotheses in experiments

Question 34

theory

Answer 34

- has been tested by experimentation -it is a statement consisting of many interconnected concepts that are supported by scientific reasoning and experimental evidence, and explain the facts in a particular field of study.

Question 35

technology

Answer 35

the use of biology to develop new products, methods and organisms intended to improve human health and society

Question 36

atoms/elements

Answer 36

fundamental building blocks of matter; contain subatomic particles

Question 37

molecules

Answer 37

clusters of atoms when which joined together can form complex molecules (ex. proteins, lipids. carbs, nucleic acids)

Question 38

organelles

Answer 38

complex molecules that form tiny structures in cells (typically lipids and proteins)

Question 39

cells

Answer 39

the basic unit of life; structural and functional unit of an organism

Question 40

tissues

Answer 40

groups of similar cells that become a functional unit

Question 41

organs

Answer 41

structures composed of different tissues that become a functional unit

Question 42

organ systems

Answer 42

multiple organs that work in connection to each other

Question 43

organism

Answer 43

an individual living thing

Question 44

populations

Answer 44

a group of individuals of a particular species within a region

Question 45

communities

Answer 45

populations of different species in a region

Question 46

ecosystems

Answer 46

all living and nonliving things in a region

Question 47

biosphere

Answer 47

all life on Earth (terrestrial life)

Question 48

the activity of an organism depends on what?

Answer 48

cellular activity

Question 49

Which of the following is required by all organisms in order to maintain their non-equilibrium stable state?

Answer 49

a constant supply of energy

Question 50

basic reasearch

Answer 50

generally performed by scientists at colleges and universities, extends the boundaries of what we know

Question 51

applied research

Answer 51

Information gleaned from basic scientific research provides the scientific knowledge that is necessary for this research. -often carried out in industry