Biology Characteristics of Life

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Questions and Answers

What is the study of the size, composition, and distribution of populations called?

Population Dynamics (correct)

Physiology

Ecology

Biostatistics

Which of the following best describes density-independent limiting factors?

Factors dependent on age distribution in populations

Factors related to birth rates only

Factors affecting the population regardless of its size (correct)

Factors that only impact large populations

Which of the following is an example of a density-dependent factor?

Pollution

Severe weather events

Wildfires

Food availability (correct)

What is the correct definition of emigration?

Moving away from a country Signup and view all the answers

What does age distribution in a population indicate?

How many individuals are of different ages Signup and view all the answers

What is the growth rate of the world population projected to be in 2024?

87% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of population dynamics?

Color Signup and view all the answers

Which country is projected to surpass China in population in 2024?

India Signup and view all the answers

What characteristics distinguish asexual reproduction from sexual reproduction?

Offspring being identical to the parent Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is fundamental in distinguishing living organisms from non-living entities?

Evolution and adaptation Signup and view all the answers

Which of these processes is associated with homeostasis?

Maintaining stable internal factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of mitochondria in living organisms?

Processing energy through ATP production Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the reproduction process in viruses?

They cannot reproduce without a host Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes evolution and adaptation?

All living beings evolve to adapt to their environment over time Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of life is primarily responsible for genetic traits passed from parents to offspring?

Heredity Signup and view all the answers

What is phototropism?

Growth towards or away from light Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes logistic growth compared to exponential growth?

Growth decelerates as resources become limited. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a limiting factor that determines carrying capacity?

Climate change Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following environments would R-strategies most likely be found?

Unstable environments Signup and view all the answers

Which reproductive strategy involves organisms that produce fewer offspring over a longer lifespan?

K-strategies Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for clumped population distribution?

Social behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic trend is illustrated by the population of the Philippines as of May 1, 2020?

Moderate population growth Signup and view all the answers

What type of population distribution is characterized by limited supplies and competition?

Uniform distribution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does not include components determining Philippine demographic trends?

Biological factors Signup and view all the answers

What is species richness?

The total number of different species present in an ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes invasive species?

Harmful introduced species that can significantly impact native species. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic property of water that allows it to remain intact until its surface tension is broken?

High surface tension Signup and view all the answers

Why is genetic diversity important for populations?

It provides the variation needed for populations to adapt to changing environments. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes water's structure?

Composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom covalently bonded. Signup and view all the answers

What property of water allows it to move through narrow spaces, such as a capillary tube?

Capillary action Signup and view all the answers

Which monomer is associated with carbohydrates?

Monosaccharide Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of nucleic acids in living organisms?

Genetic material Signup and view all the answers

What type of macromolecule is characterized by being hydrophobic and primarily found in fats and oils?

Lipids Signup and view all the answers

Which polysaccharide is found in the cell walls of plants?

Cellulose Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the process by which two monosaccharides bond together?

Disaccharide formation Signup and view all the answers

What is the monomer of proteins?

Amino Acid Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes a function of proteins in the body?

Catalyzing biochemical reactions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characteristics of Life

Living organisms exhibit eight key characteristics: Order, Response to Stimuli, Reproduction, Heredity, Growth and Development, Energy Processing, Evolution and Adaptation, Homeostasis.
Order refers to organized structures, such as unicellular prokaryotes (e.g., bacteria) and multicellular eukaryotes (e.g., whales).
Response to Stimuli involves reactions to environmental factors, classified as external or internal stimuli.
Reproduction encompasses the creation of offspring through asexual (one parent, identical offspring) or sexual (two parents, unique offspring) means.
Heredity is the transmission of genetic material (DNA) from parents to offspring.
Growth and Development signify that all living things grow and age.
Energy Processing refers to the use of energy, primarily sourced from ATP produced in mitochondria.
Homeostasis is the ability to maintain stable internal conditions in response to external changes.
Evolution and Adaptation allow living beings to change to survive in varying environments.

Responses to Stimuli

Phototropism refers to the plant's response to light.
Gravitropism indicates how organisms respond to gravity.
Regeneration is the process through which organisms heal and regrow lost parts.
Metamorphosis describes significant physical changes in an organism.
The axolotl exemplifies adaptation with its ability to regenerate limbs, gills, and lungs quickly.

Population Dynamics

A population consists of organisms of the same species, influenced by birth, immigration (increase), death, and emigration (decrease).
Population Dynamics studies the changes in population size, composition, and distribution over time.
Key components include size (total number of individuals), density (population relative to space), growth (change in size over time), and distribution (spatial arrangement).
The world population reached 8 billion in 2022, with India predicted to surpass China in population by 2024.
Population density highlights extremes with Monaco (25,927) and Macao (22,508) having the highest, while lower densities occur in places like CAR.

Limiting Factors and Carrying Capacity

Limiting factors restrict population growth and are categorized as density-independent (abiotic factors like natural disasters) or density-dependent (biotic factors like competition).
Carrying Capacity (K) is the maximum number of individuals an environment can sustain, influenced by resources and ecological factors.
Exponential growth occurs rapidly under abundant resources, while logistic growth decelerates as resources become limited.

Reproductive Strategies

Reproductive patterns vary; R-strategies (e.g., oysters) focus on high offspring numbers with shorter lifespans, while K-strategies (e.g., chimpanzees) emphasize fewer offspring with longer lifespans.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life, including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
Genetic diversity allows populations to adapt to changing environments.
Species richness refers to the total number of species in an ecosystem, while species abundance measures the relative population of each species.
Endemic species are native to specific regions (e.g., Philippine Eagle), whereas invasive species can cause harm to native populations (e.g., Midas Cichlid).

Water Properties

Water covers 70% of the Earth's surface and is critical for processes like digestion, circulation, and thermoregulation.
Molecularly composed of two hydrogen and one oxygen atom (H2O), it exhibits properties such as high surface tension, heat capacity, and cohesion/adhesion.

Biomolecules

Four main types of macromolecules are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
Carbohydrates are primary energy sources, with monomers called monosaccharides (e.g., glucose).
Lipids, which include fats and oils, provide long-term energy storage and are hydrophobic.
Proteins are composed of amino acids, playing roles in structure, function, and regulation within organisms.
Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are responsible for genetic information and directing cellular activities.

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Description

Explore the essential characteristics that define life in this quiz. From order and response to stimuli, to reproduction and homeostasis, discover how these traits help classify living organisms. Perfect for students studying biology and life sciences.