Biology Exam 1 Flashcards

Human Fossils and Classification

• Human fossils are classified into species based on skeletal differences.

Sickle Cell Gene Advantage

• Individuals carrying the sickle cell gene exhibit resistance to malaria.

Texas to Florida Panthers

• Florida Panthers' genetic diversity was bolstered by mating with Texas Panthers to avoid an extinction vortex.

North Atlantic Right Whales

• Known as "right whales" due to their ease of capture for whalers; currently fewer than 400 individuals exist due to overexploitation.

Genetic Variability in Species

• High genetic variability is observed in populations with multiple alleles for various genes.

Yellowstone Ecosystem

• Reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone in the 1990s benefitted other species such as deer, elk, and bird habitats.

Genetic Diversity in Humans

• Africa possesses the most genetically diverse populations of humans.

Speciation

• Refers to the evolution of new species from an ancestral species.

Environmental Consequences of Habitat Destruction

• Replacing wetlands, like fens, leads to habitat destruction.

Keystone Species Impact

• Wolves in Yellowstone serve as a keystone species, significantly impacting other species and ecosystems.

Extinction Rate Factors

• The rising extinction rate is attributed to human population growth and resulting habitat changes.

Florida Panther Population Decline

• In the mid-1900s, the Florida Panther population was reduced due to lack of food sources and habitat loss.

Hypotheses Defined

• Hypotheses are proposed explanations based on observations.

Scientific Method Steps

• Involves making observations, proposing ideas, testing them, and modifying based on results.

Testable and Falsifiable Hypotheses

• Scientific hypotheses must be capable of being tested and potentially disproven.

Scientific Theory Explanation

• A scientific theory is a comprehensive explanation derived from well-supported hypotheses across multiple research lines.

Controlled Experiments

• Designed to test hypotheses by comparing experimental groups against control groups.

Importance of Controls

• Controls are treated identically to experimental groups, except for the treatment application.

Placebo in Experiments

• A placebo serves as a sham treatment in research studies.

Independent Variable in Research

• The independent variable is the factor that is altered in an experiment, such as echinacea tea.

Dependent Variable Explanation

• The dependent variable is the outcome being measured, such as the duration of a cold.

Bias in Research

• Bias refers to any influence that may affect research results.

Blind Studies Definition

• Blind studies limit participant knowledge to reduce bias.

Double-Blind Studies

• In double-blind studies, both participants and researchers are unaware of group assignments, minimizing bias.

Use of Correlation Studies

• Correlation studies are employed when human experimentation is unethical, dangerous, or impractical.

Model Systems in Research

• Model systems, such as bacteria, fruit flies, and rodents, are utilized to study biological processes instead of humans.

Purpose of the Scientific Method

• The scientific method is employed to rigorously test ideas about the natural world.

Correlation Between Stress and Colds

• A strong correlation exists, indicating that stress may or may not influence susceptibility to colds.

Lice Resistance to Permethrin

• Genetic variation leads some lice to naturally resist permethrin treatments, facilitating survival.