Characteristics of Living Things
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Questions and Answers

Which characteristic is NOT universally considered a defining trait of living organisms?

  • Reproduction
  • Complexity (correct)
  • Movement
  • Sensitivity

What is the primary function of polysaccharides in living organisms?

  • Providing genetic instructions
  • Providing cells with intermediate energy (correct)
  • Forming the outer covering of cells
  • Providing cells with a quick burst of energy

Which biomolecule primarily functions in providing genetic instructions for cells?

  • Lipids
  • Carbohydrates
  • Proteins
  • Nucleic Acids (correct)

Which of the following best describes the process of excretion in living organisms?

<p>The removal of toxic materials and waste products. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a scientist identifies a new molecule composed of repeating amino acid units, which biomolecule is she most likely observing?

<p>A protein or polypeptide (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do oils and fats primarily benefit cells?

<p>By providing a long-term energy storage (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the MOST accurate distinction between growth and reproduction as characteristics of living organisms?

<p>Growth is essential for the survival of an individual organism, whereas reproduction is essential for the survival of a species. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Enzymes are a class of proteins crucial for catalyzing biological reactions. In a scenario where a cell's enzymatic activity is significantly impaired, but its DNA and RNA production remain normal, which biomolecule's synthesis is MOST likely affected?

<p>Functional Proteins (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes scientific knowledge from belief-based knowledge?

<p>Scientific knowledge requires continuous testing against empirical evidence, while belief-based knowledge does not. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT considered a fundamental element of scientific inquiry?

<p>Tradition (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of data involves describing a culture from the perspective of an insider?

<p>Emic Data (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which logical fallacy involves attacking the person making an argument instead of addressing the argument itself?

<p>Ad hominem (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In scientific research, what is the role of a hypothesis?

<p>A trial explanation that can be empirically tested. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher observes that ice cream sales and crime rates increase simultaneously during the summer. If the researcher concludes that increased ice cream consumption causes crime, which logical error are they most likely committing?

<p>Questionable cause (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A cultural anthropologist aims to understand the marriage rituals of a remote tribe. If the anthropologist interprets these rituals solely through the lens of their own cultural values without considering the tribe's unique perspective, which logical error is MOST evident?

<p>Ethnocentrism (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Consider a study examining the effectiveness of a new drug. The researchers only enroll participants who are highly enthusiastic about alternative medicine and exclude anyone skeptical of pharmaceutical interventions. Which of the following biases is MOST likely affecting the study's validity?

<p>Selection bias, compromising internal validity. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between hypotheses and theories in a scientific context?

<p>Theories are sets of related hypotheses that provide a more comprehensive explanation than a single hypothesis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental difference between inductive and deductive reasoning in scientific research?

<p>Induction moves from specific observations to generalizations, while deduction tests generalizations with specific evidence. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In research, what does the term 'validity' primarily refer to?

<p>The degree to which a study accurately measures what it claims to measure. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario illustrates a lack of validity in a research study?

<p>Using a survey about happiness to measure levels of anxiety. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'reliability' in research primarily indicate?

<p>The consistency and repeatability of research findings. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher conducts a survey and analyzes the data using statistical methods to identify trends. Which type of data is the researcher most likely working with?

<p>Quantitative data. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way does quantitative research differ most significantly from qualitative research?

<p>Quantitative research emphasizes numerical data and statistical analysis to identify patterns and relationships. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A sociologist aims to understand the lived experiences of immigrants in a new country. They decide to conduct in-depth interviews, focusing on detailed narratives and personal stories rather than numerical data. Which research approach are they MOST likely employing?

<p>Qualitative research. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Movement

An action causing a change in position or place.

Respiration

Chemical reactions breaking down nutrient molecules to release energy.

Sensitivity

Detecting and responding to changes in the environment.

Growth

Permanent increase in size and dry mass.

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Reproduction

Making more organisms of the same kind.

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Excretion

Removal of toxic materials and waste products.

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Nutrition

Taking in nutrients for energy, growth, and repair.

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Biomolecules

Molecules made of biological elements essential for life.

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Belief

Knowing something without needing evidence.

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Science

Requires continuous testing against real-world evidence.

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Evidence

Empirically observed experiences, gathered from the five senses.

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Quantitative Evidence

Numerical data.

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Qualitative Evidence

Descriptive data.

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Emic Data

An insider’s view.

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Etic Data

An outsider’s view.

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Hypothesis

A trial explanation that can be empirically tested.

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Theory

A set of related hypotheses that provide a better explanation than any single hypothesis.

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Induction

Generating hypotheses or theories from empirical evidence, moving from specific data to generalizations.

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Deduction

Testing hypotheses or theories with empirical evidence. Moves from generalizations to specific cases.

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Validity

The extent to which a measurement actually measures what it is intended to measure.

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Reliability

The extent to which the results of a research project can be repeated with the same findings each time.

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Quantitative Data

Data collected in the form of numbers or categories that can be labeled with numbers, analyzed with statistics.

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Quantitative Research

Research focusing on measurable variables, studying many cases to produce generalizations.

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Qualitative Data

Data collected in the form of descriptions, summarized in written form, often including direct quotes.

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Study Notes

Defining Living Things

  • Living things can be defined by size, appearance, complexity, and genetic material.

Seven Characteristics of Living Organisms

  • Movement: Action by an organism or part of it, causing a change of position.
  • Respiration: Chemical reactions breaking down nutrient molecules in living cells to release energy.
  • Sensitivity: Ability to detect changes in the environment (stimuli) and make responses.
  • Growth: A permanent increase in size and dry mass through an increase in cell number, cell size, or both.
  • Reproduction: Processes to make more of the same organism type.
  • Excretion: Removal of toxic materials, waste products of metabolism, and excess substances.
  • Nutrition: Consuming nutrients, organic substances, and mineral ions with raw materials or energy for growth and tissue repair.

Levels of Organization of Biological Study

  • Atoms
  • Molecule
  • Cell
  • Tissue
  • Organ
  • Body system
  • Organism
  • Population
  • Community
  • Ecosystem
  • Biosphere

Biomolecules

  • Molecules are made of biological elements that constitute all living things
  • There are four types of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.
  • Monomers are the basic building blocks and repeating units of biomolecules.
  • Polymers are whole biomolecules made of monomers.

Carbohydrates

  • Structure:
    • Monomers: Monosaccharides like glucose and fructose.
    • Polymers: Polysaccharides (complex carbs) like starch and wheat.
  • Function:
    • Monosaccharides: Offer cells a quick burst of short-term energy.
    • Polysaccharides: Offer cells more intermediate energy.

Lipids

  • Structure:
    • Monomers: Fatty acids and glycerol molecules.
    • Polymers: Phospholipids, oils, and fats.
  • Function:
    • Phospholipids: They form the outer covering (cell membranes) of cells.
    • Oils and Fats: Offer cells a source of long-term energy storage.

Nucleic Acids

  • Structure:
    • Monomers: Nucleotides.
    • Polymers: DNA and RNA.
  • Function:
    • Provide cells with genetic instructions to make proteins.

Proteins

  • Structure:
    • Monomers: Amino acids.
    • Polymers: Proteins and polypeptides, as well as enzymes.
  • Function:
    • They create cell structure.
    • Provide the physical components/expression of DNA/RNA
    • Enzymes catalyze (speed up) chemical reactions.

Hemoglobin

  • A protein in red blood cells allows oxygen to bind.
  • Contains iron in the center of the molecule.

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Description

Explore the defining characteristics of living organisms, including movement, respiration, and sensitivity. Understand the levels of biological organization from atoms to the biosphere. Learn about essential life processes such as growth, reproduction, excretion, and nutrition.

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