BIO 189 Midterm Quiz & Flashcards Study Guide

Study Notes

Overview of Biology and Pseudoscience

Biology is the scientific study of life, encompassing various concepts and processes.
Pseudoscience includes claims that cannot be empirically tested; examples include astrology and flat Earth theory.

Levels of Organization of Matter

Hierarchical organization: atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biosphere.
Population: a group of individuals of the same species within a specific area.
Community: multiple populations of different species coexisting in a defined area.
Ecosystem: the interaction between a community and its environment.

Characteristics Uniting All Living Things

Major principles: cellular organization, metabolism, homeostasis, growth and development, responsiveness, reproduction, and evolution.

Producers vs. Consumers

Producers: organisms that create their own food (e.g., plants via photosynthesis).
Consumers: organisms that rely on other resources for energy, including herbivores and carnivores.

Homeostasis

Homeostasis refers to the mechanisms that maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Energy flows unidirectionally from producers to primary consumers, secondary consumers, and decomposers.
Heat, produced as a byproduct of metabolic processes, is generally not usable energy for organisms.

Nutrients in Ecosystems

Nutrients are substances that provide energy and materials vital for an organism's growth and function.
Nutrients cycle between living organisms and their non-living environment.

DNA and its Role in Living Organisms

DNA serves as the repository for genetic information and is essential for heredity.
All living organisms, including prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryotes (plants and animals), contain DNA.

Taxonomic Organization of the Three Domains of Life

Archaea: single-celled, thrive in extreme environments, possess unique cell structures.
Bacteria: single-celled, diverse, simpler cell structures compared to eukaryotes.
Eukarya: multicellular, complex organisms with a defined nucleus.

Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells

Prokaryotic cells: lack a nucleus, lack membrane-bound organelles, generally simpler structure, primarily bacteria and archaea.
Eukaryotic cells: possess a nucleus for DNA storage and multiple membrane-bound organelles, complex structure.

Description

Prepare for your BIO 189 midterm with this comprehensive study guide. It covers key concepts from Modules 1-3 and essential chapters from 'Biology Today and Tomorrow with Physiology.' Review the specified chapters to ensure you're well-prepared for the exam.