Biology Chapter 1 Quiz

Properties of Life

• Approximately 8.7 million species are currently believed to inhabit Earth, sharing several common properties.

Evolutionary Adaptation

• Evolution is a fundamental concept in biology; organisms evolve over time.
• Within species, variability exists (e.g., height variation), influencing survival traits.
• Favorable genes tend to persist within populations, driving genetic change and evolution.

Hierarchy of Biological Organization

• Biological structures are organized into levels, each building upon the previous:
  • Atoms → Molecules → Macromolecules → Organelles (absent in prokaryotes) → Cells → Tissues (not in all eukaryotes) → Organs (not in all eukaryotes) → Organisms → Populations → Communities → Ecosystems → Biosphere.

Emergent Properties

• Each organizational level exhibits emergent properties, where complex systems arise from simpler levels.

Structure and Function

• Cells serve as the fundamental units of structure and function in living organisms, including prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Genetic Information

• DNA encodes hereditary information and directs the growth and development of multicellular organisms.
• Genetic traits are inherited through DNA transmission from parents to offspring, integral to the reproductive process.

Material and Energy Acquisition

• Organisms acquire materials and energy, essential for sustaining life.
• All biological systems are considered thermodynamically open systems that interact with their environment.

Homeostasis

• Organisms maintain internal balance and regulate their environment through mechanisms like negative feedback and positive feedback.

Interactions in Ecosystems

• Organisms engage with one another and their environment, forming the foundation of ecosystems, demonstrating unity and diversity.

Diversity of Life

• Organisms are categorized into groups to facilitate study. The three-domain system classifies life based on DNA characteristics:
  • Bacteria and Archaea (prokaryotes).
  • Eukarya (eukaryotes) encompasses four kingdoms: Protista, Plantae, Fungi, and Animalia.

Scientific Methods

• Science often employs two methodologies:
  • Discovery Science focuses on the factual aspects (where, what, when).
  • Hypothesis-Based Science concerns mechanisms (how, why).
• Data used in scientific inquiry can be quantitative or qualitative.
• Both methodologies adhere to principles such as:
  • Natural causality: All events have natural causes.

Hypothetico-Deductive Process

• Hypothesis-based science employs a systematic approach, often called the scientific method:
  • Begin with observations.
  • Formulate a hypothesis.
  • Perform experiments to test the hypothesis.
• A theory in science is an extensive explanation based on numerous observations and experimental results.