16 Questions
What is the main reason living systems do not violate the second law of thermodynamics?
They constantly import energy to maintain non-equilibrium.
What is the purpose of coupling exergonic and endergonic reactions in living systems?
To allow unfavourable endergonic reactions to occur.
What is the general mechanism for maintaining homeostasis in living systems?
Negative feedback loops.
What is the definition of evolution according to Darwin?
Descent with modification.
What is required for a change to be heritable in living systems?
A change in the genetic material, DNA.
What is the main process that contributes to evolutionary change?
Mutation and recombination.
What is the term for the different forms of a particular gene?
Alleles.
What is the process that changes the distribution of alleles in a population due to chance events?
Genetic drift.
What is the term for the ability of living systems to maintain a steady internal environment regardless of their external environment?
Homeostasis.
What is the result of the accumulation of mutations in the DNA of germ cells?
Evolutionary change.
What is the main reason for describing life or living things by their common characteristics?
Because it is more useful than defining life precisely
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by living things?
Entropy
What is the hierarchical level of organisation exhibited by living systems?
A hierarchical arrangement of components, with each level exhibiting greater complexity than the previous level
What is the tendency of isolated systems left to spontaneous evolution?
To become more random and disordered over time
What is the NAZA definition of life?
Life is a self-sustaining chemical system capable of Darwinian evolution
What is entropy associated with?
Disorder, randomness, and uncertainty
Explore the common characteristics of life, including organisation, metabolism, homeostasis, growth, reproduction, and evolution. Learn how these traits define living things and differentiate them from non-living systems.
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