Biology Chapter: Properties of Life

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'biology' originate from?

Greek word for 'life' and Latin for 'study'

Latin word for 'ecosystem' and Greek for 'knowledge'

Greek word for 'life' and suffix meaning 'study of' (correct)

Latin word for 'organism' and Greek for 'analysis'

Which of the following groups is NOT included in the 3 Domain System?

Eukarya

Archaea

Prokaryota (correct)

Bacteria

What type of cells do organisms in the domain Eukarya have?

Prokaryotic cells with no nucleus

Cells with a cell wall but no nucleus

Eukaryotic cells with a nucleus (correct)

Cells that can survive extreme environments

How are species named in the binomial naming system?

With two Latin names, genus and species Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a kingdom in biological classification?

Kingdom Animalia Signup and view all the answers

Approximately what percentage of land and sea species have not been discovered yet?

86% of land species and 91% of sea species Signup and view all the answers

What categorizes organisms into different groups in biological classification?

The characteristics they share Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding prokaryotic cells?

Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the smallest unit capable of sustaining life?

Cell Signup and view all the answers

What is one property that defines all living organisms?

Composed of cells Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is considered part of metabolism?

Energy processing Signup and view all the answers

Why are bacteria considered the most numerous unicellular organisms?

They reproduce quickly and in large numbers. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following properties of life allows organisms to maintain a stable internal environment?

Homeostasis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about living organisms is true?

All living organisms require energy and process it. Signup and view all the answers

Which property of life includes the ability to change over time based on environmental pressures?

Evolve and Adapt Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes multicellular organisms from unicellular organisms?

Multicellular organisms contain more than one cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of metabolism in an organism's cells?

To process energy Signup and view all the answers

Which molecule is created when glucose is broken down in cells?

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Signup and view all the answers

What does growth in multicellular organisms primarily result from?

An increase in cell number and size Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the nature of organisms' responses to the environment?

They respond to physical and/or chemical changes. Signup and view all the answers

What type of reproduction involves genetic information from one parent?

Asexual reproduction Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the ability of living species to change over generations?

Evolutionary Adaptation Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes homeostasis?

It indicates organisms maintain a stable internal environment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples illustrates a response to temperature changes in organisms?

A dog panting to cool down Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of thermoregulation in humans?

To maintain a steady internal body temperature Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the eight functions that humans must perform to maintain life?

Transpiration Signup and view all the answers

Why is ATP essential for human survival?

It serves as a primary energy carrier Signup and view all the answers

What role do the nervous and endocrine systems play in homeostasis?

They communicate changes through electrical and chemical signals Signup and view all the answers

Which survival need is primarily responsible for providing the environment for chemical reactions?

Water Signup and view all the answers

What does homeostasis refer to in human biology?

The capacity to maintain a stable internal environment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes is involved in maintaining boundaries in the human body?

Skin formation Signup and view all the answers

What temperature range is considered normal for a healthy adult's core body temperature?

36-37.5oC Signup and view all the answers

What initiates the positive feedback mechanism during childbirth?

Pressure from the fetus' head on the cervix Signup and view all the answers

What role do stretch receptors play during childbirth?

They signal the brain to release oxytocin Signup and view all the answers

What eventually stops the process of platelet activation?

The wound is entirely covered Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone is primarily released during the childbirth process?

Oxytocin Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to review lecture notes within 24-48 hours after class?

To condense information for easier understanding Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a recommended tip for succeeding in biology?

Wait until the night before the exam to ask questions Signup and view all the answers

What does a positive feedback mechanism involve?

An exponential increase in activity until a goal is achieved Signup and view all the answers

How should students engage with their learning to succeed?

By relating new content to their experiences Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Properties of Life

Biology derives from the Greek "bio" (life) and "ology" (study of).
Organisms are classified based on shared characteristics into various taxonomic groups, such as mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, and birds.
A significant percentage of species remain undiscovered: 86% of terrestrial species and 91% of marine species.

Biological Classification

Millons of species exist on Earth, classified into three main domains:
- Bacteria: Prokaryotic organisms without a nucleus.
- Archaea: Also prokaryotic, often extremophiles.
- Eukarya: Organisms with eukaryotic cells that have a nucleus.
The biomial naming system assigns each organism a unique genus and species name (e.g., Escherichia coli, Homo sapiens).

Key Characteristics Defining Life

Composed of cells: Unicellular (single-celled) or multicellular (many cells), with the cell being the basic unit of life.
Metabolism: Organisms require energy for chemical reactions, converting food to energy via ATP.
Growth and development: Organisms increase in size and develop specialized structures from simpler forms.
Response to environment: Organisms react to stimuli like odor, temperature, and light.
Reproduction: All organisms reproduce sexually or asexually to propagate their species.
Evolution and adaptation: Species change over generations, adapting to environments through natural selection.
Homeostasis: The ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes, crucial for health.

Specific Functions of Humans

Eight vital processes humans must perform to maintain life:
- Growth and development.
- Reproduction (sexual and asexual).
- Responsiveness to environmental changes.
- Movement for interaction with surroundings.
- Metabolism involving energy processing.
- Maintenance of boundaries (cellular and bodily).
- Digestion for breaking down food.
- Excretion for waste removal.

Survival Needs

Oxygen: Essential for ATP production.
Water: Provides a medium for metabolic reactions.
Nutrients: Supply energy and building blocks for cells.
Normal body temperature: Necessary for chemical reactions at life-sustaining rates.

Homeostasis Mechanisms

Homeostasis ensures environmental stability for organ systems, with the nervous and endocrine systems playing key roles.
Examples of homeostatic processes include thermoregulation where the body maintains a core temperature between 36-37.5°C.
Positive feedback mechanisms illustrated by childbirth: pressure on the cervix triggers hormone release for continued contractions until delivery occurs.

Tips for Succeeding in Biology 985

Regularly review the course outline for critical dates and topics.
Pre-read lecture material to enhance understanding.
Actively attend and take condensed notes during lectures; supplementary powerpoints will be provided online.
Rewrite notes post-class for clarity and comprehension, creating vocabulary lists to track new terms.
Review lecture objectives diligently to solidify understanding.
Seek help proactively from instructors for any difficulties before exam time.

Learning Approach

Engage actively in the learning process: discussions, writing, relating content to real-life experiences enhances retention and understanding.

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Description

Explore the fundamental properties that define life in this quiz. Learn about biological classification, the major taxonomic groups, and the characteristics that distinguish living organisms. Test your knowledge on important concepts such as cellular composition and metabolic processes.