Biology Chapter 1: The Science of Biology

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Questions and Answers

What does it mean if a hypothesis has been tested and not rejected?

It is regarded as a theory.

It is considered a fact.

It is tentatively accepted. (correct)

It is proven to be true.

How do scientists primarily view a theory?

As an established fact.

As a guess or a lack of knowledge.

As a unifying explanation for broad observations. (correct)

As a provisional hypothesis.

Which of the following is NOT one of the four theories that unify biology as a science?

The Molecular Theory (correct)

The Gene Theory

The Cell Theory

The Theory of Evolution

What does the Cell Theory state?

All organisms are composed of at least one cell. Signup and view all the answers

What role do genes play according to the Gene Theory?

They encode specific proteins or RNA. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes Mendel’s contribution to the Theory of Heredity?

He established the basis of chromosomal theory. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Theory of Evolution primarily explain?

The unity and diversity of life. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the three domains of life?

The classification of living organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of biology as a science?

The study of living things Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a property exclusive to living things?

Cellular organization Signup and view all the answers

Which property of life describes the maintenance of a stable internal environment?

Homeostasis Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct level of organization that encompasses individual organisms?

Organismal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a property of life?

Adaptation Signup and view all the answers

In the context of biology, what does heredity refer to?

The passing of genetic information Signup and view all the answers

Which level of organization is the highest in the biological hierarchy?

Ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

What happens to living things in response to stimuli?

They may change behavior or function Signup and view all the answers

What role does cooperation play in the survival of organisms?

It serves as a strategy to adapt to limiting resources. Signup and view all the answers

What does homeostasis refer to in organisms?

A physiological condition of steady-state. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between structure and function?

Structures must be specialized for specific functions. Signup and view all the answers

What do emergent properties in biological systems signify?

They arise from the interaction of simpler, diverse components. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first stage of the scientific investigation process?

Observation of natural phenomena. Signup and view all the answers

Which biological theme explains the diversity of life?

Evolution Signup and view all the answers

What do scientists do during the 'testing' stage of a scientific investigation?

They conduct experiments to verify predictions. Signup and view all the answers

How is energy acquired by living organisms generally described?

Energy acquisition varies among different organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of using a control in experiments?

Controls help assess the effect of potential variables. Signup and view all the answers

What role does natural selection play in evolution?

It acts on existing genetic variations within a population. Signup and view all the answers

What might scientists formulate alongside a primary hypothesis during their investigation?

Alternative hypotheses related to the phenomenon. Signup and view all the answers

What does the flow of energy through the living world indicate?

Energy availability influences ecosystem organization. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT influence the evolution of structures in organisms?

The geographical location of the organism. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered an emergent property?

Cell structure Signup and view all the answers

What primarily determines the types of organisms that can inhabit an ecosystem?

The availability of energy Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the levels of organization in biological studies?

Higher levels showcase properties not found in lower levels. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 1: The Science of Biology

Biology is the study of living things.
Living things are diverse and grouped into kingdoms based on similar characteristics.
Members of different kingdoms are typically very different.
The book is titled "Essentials of the Living World" Seventh Edition, by George Johnson and Joel Bergh.

Properties of Life

Living things exhibit complexity, movement, and respond to stimuli.
These properties are exclusive to living things.
Key properties of life include:
- Cellular organization (all living things composed of one or more cells).
- Metabolism (all living things process energy to power other processes).
- Homeostasis (living things maintain a stable internal environment for optimal metabolic function).
- Growth and reproduction (all organisms grow and reproduce).
- Heredity (passing of genetic information from parents to offspring).

Levels of Organization

Living things interact at multiple levels of increasing complexity.
Levels include cellular, organismal, and populational.
The organization of life is a hierarchy of levels.

Emergent Properties

At higher levels of the biological hierarchy, new properties arise that weren't present at lower levels.
These new properties result from interactions of diverse, simpler components.
Examples of emergent properties include metabolism and consciousness.

Biological Themes

The study of life is based on general themes.
Five recurring biological themes:
- Evolution (genetic change in species over time) with natural selection as the mechanism
- Flow of Energy (energy from the sun flows through the environment; organisms acquire energy in different ways).
- Cooperation (organisms often cooperate for survival, with symbiosis as a type of cooperation).
- Structure Determines Function (evolution favors structures that function in adaptive ways, many structures are specialized, and structure-function convergence occurs across the biological hierarchy).
- Homeostasis (a condition of "steady-state" where internal environments are relatively stable, with organisms controlling their internal environments for metabolism function).

The Scientific Process

Biology is a dynamic science where new ideas replace old ones.
Scientists systematically conduct experiments to evaluate hypotheses about phenomena.
Key steps of the scientific process:
- Observation
- Hypothesis (educated guess, often multiple alternative hypotheses possible).
- Predictions (outcomes if the hypothesis was correct).
- Testing (experiments to verify predictions).
- Controls (experiments usually employ parallel design, using controls to assess influence of variables; control conditions remain constant relative to variable conditions).
- Conclusion (hypotheses tested and not rejected are tentatively accepted).

Theory and Certainty

The term "theory" has different meanings for scientists vs. the public.
To scientists, a theory represents a certainty and unifying explanation of observations.
To the public, a theory might represent a guess or lack of knowledge.

Unifying Biological Theories

Four theories that unify biology as a science:
- Cell theory (all organisms made of one or more cells)
- Gene theory (genetic information encoded in DNA, genes encode proteins).
- Heredity theory (genes are passed down generation- to-generation as discrete units, with Mendel's theory giving rise to genetics; inheritance is located on chromosomes).
- Evolution theory (all organisms related in a common tree of descent, grouped into three domains, with evolution explaining unity and diversity of life. Natural selection is the mechanism behind evolution.)

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Description

This quiz covers Chapter 1 from 'Essentials of the Living World'. Explore the properties of life and the classification of living organisms into kingdoms. Understand the complexity, metabolism, and various levels of organization among living things.