Biology Chapter 1 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of an organism?

An organized, genetic unit capable of metabolism, reproduction, and evolution.

Which of the following are characteristics of a living organism? (Select all that apply)

Contain genetic information (correct)

Use genetic information to reproduce themselves (correct)

Can fly

Consist of 1 or more cells (correct)

What does metabolism refer to?

An organism's total chemical activity.

What is homeostasis?

Maintenance of a stable internal condition. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Cell Theory state?

All cells come from preexisting cells, all cells are similar in chemical composition, most chemical reactions of life occur within cells, and complete sets of genetic information are replicated and passed on in cell division. Signup and view all the answers

How do living things evolve according to Natural Selection?

Through differential survival and reproduction. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Species Concept?

A group of organisms that are morphologically similar and can successfully interbreed with one another. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Alfred Russel Wallace?

An English naturalist who independently formulated a concept of evolution that resembled Charles Darwin's. Signup and view all the answers

What is adaptation?

An inherited morphological, physiological, or behavioral trait that improves an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 factors necessary for natural selection?

Individual variation in the population, differential reproductive success, and heritability of varied traits. Signup and view all the answers

What is a mutation?

Changes in individual genetic material. Signup and view all the answers

What does heritability refer to?

Adaptations (genetically controlled traits) inherited by the next generation. Signup and view all the answers

What is evolution?

Genetic change in a population over generations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are considered evidence of evolution? (Select all that apply)

Resistance to insecticides Signup and view all the answers

What is a genome?

The sum total of all DNA in a cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is DNA's role?

Information that is passed from parent to daughter cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is a nucleotide?

A repeating subunit (building block) of nucleic acid polymers. Signup and view all the answers

What is a gene?

A specific segment of a DNA molecule that contains information for making proteins. Signup and view all the answers

What is synthesis in biological terms?

Building biological structures. Signup and view all the answers

Define extracellular fluids.

The internal environment of a cell that is not cellular in composition. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following levels of organizational hierarchy of cells:

Atoms = 1 Molecules = 2 Cells = 3 Tissues = 4 Organs = 5 Organism = 6 Population = 7 Community = 8 Ecosystem = 9 Biosphere of Earth = 10 Signup and view all the answers

What is a community in biological terms?

Interacting populations of many different species. Signup and view all the answers

Define an ecosystem.

Interacting communities. Signup and view all the answers

What is the biosphere?

The exchange of energy between the ecosystems of Earth. Signup and view all the answers

What are the consequences of photosynthesis? (Select all that apply)

Aerobic metabolism began Signup and view all the answers

What is the Endosymbiotic Theory?

Some prokaryotic cells became large enough to engulf and digest smaller cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is an organelle?

A tiny cell structure encased in the cell membrane that carries out a specific function within the cell. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 2 developments that made multicellular organisms possible? (Select all that apply)

Ability of cells to stick together and coordinate Signup and view all the answers

What are the three domains of life?

Bacteria, Eukarya, Archaea. Signup and view all the answers

What are protists?

Unicellular microbial eukaryotes. Signup and view all the answers

Multicellular eukarya evolved from __________.

Protists Signup and view all the answers

The scientific method or __________.

Hypothesis-prediction method Signup and view all the answers

What are the 5 steps to the Hypothesis-Prediction Method? (Select all that apply)

Prediction Signup and view all the answers

What is inductive logic?

Deriving a general statement from specific observations. Signup and view all the answers

What is deductive logic?

Conclusion is drawn from general observations to a specific conclusion. Signup and view all the answers

What is a theory in scientific terms?

Continued testing repeatedly supports a hypothesis. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are ways to test a hypothesis? (Select all that apply)

Comparative studies Signup and view all the answers

What are comparative studies?

Look for differences between natural groups or samples. Signup and view all the answers

What is a controlled experiment?

Manipulate certain variables and keep others constant. Signup and view all the answers

What is an independent variable?

Variable being manipulated. Signup and view all the answers

What is a dependent variable?

Measured response. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Organisms and Life Characteristics

Organisms are organized genetic units with capabilities for metabolism, reproduction, and evolution, descending from a single-celled ancestor.
Seven characteristics defining living organisms: single or multiple cells, genetic information, ability to reproduce, genetic relation and evolution, conversion of environmental molecules into biological molecules, energy extraction for biological work, and internal regulation.

Biological Processes

Metabolism encompasses all chemical activities of an organism, involving energy extraction and molecule conversion.
Homeostasis refers to the maintenance of stable internal conditions necessary for survival.

Cell Theory and Evolution

Cell Theory states all cells arise from preexisting cells, share similar chemical compositions, perform most life processes, and replicate complete genetic information during division.
Biological evolution, or natural selection, describes the process where living organisms evolve through differential survival and reproduction.

Species and Adaptation

The Species Concept defines a group of morphologically similar organisms capable of interbreeding.
Adaptation refers to inherited traits that enhance survival and reproduction in a specific environment.

Natural Selection Factors

Three necessary factors for natural selection: individual variation within populations, differential reproductive success, and heritability of traits.

Genetic Concepts

Mutations refer to changes in an organism's genetic material affecting evolution and heritability.
Heritability denotes adaptations that are genetically controlled and passed on to future generations.
Evolution is described as the change in genetic makeup of a population over generations.

Evidence for Evolution

Evidence includes insect and antibiotic resistance, as well as industrial melanism observed in peppered moths.

Genetics and Molecular Biology

A genome is the complete set of DNA within a cell, with all cells in a multicellular organism sharing the same genome.
DNA conveys genetic information from parent to daughter cells through nucleotide sequences, which are the building blocks of nucleic acids.

Biological Organization and Community

Organizational hierarchy: atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, biosphere.
A community consists of interacting populations of different species, while an ecosystem encompasses interacting communities.

Photosynthesis Impact

Photosynthesis led to atmospheric oxygen accumulation, the onset of aerobic metabolism, and formation of the ozone layer enabling terrestrial life.

Endosymbiotic Theory

Suggests the evolution of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells that engulfed smaller cells, leading to symbiotic relationships.

Biological Structures and Cells

Organelles are specialized structures within cells that perform distinct functions.
Multicellularity arose due to cell specialization and the ability of cells to adapt to environmental challenges.

Domains of Life

Three domains of life: Bacteria, Eukarya, and Archaea, with protists being unicellular eukaryotic organisms.

Scientific Methodology

The scientific method, also known as the hypothesis-prediction method, involves steps: observation, questions, hypothesis formation, predictions, and testing.
Inductive logic derives general conclusions from specific observations, while deductive logic applies general principles to reach specific outcomes.

Theories and Testing Hypotheses

A scientific theory emerges from ongoing support for a hypothesis through consistent testing.
Two approaches to test a hypothesis include comparative studies (analyzing natural group differences) and controlled experiments (manipulating variables while maintaining constants).

Variables in Experiments

Independent variables are those manipulated to observe effects, whereas dependent variables represent the measured outcomes or responses.

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Test your knowledge of key concepts from Biology Chapter 1 with these flashcards. This quiz covers the definition of organisms and the seven characteristics that define living entities, providing a solid foundation for your biological studies.