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Questions and Answers
What is the most basic unit of classification in taxonomy?
What is the most basic unit of classification in taxonomy?
How do scientists determine the evolutionary relationships among species?
How do scientists determine the evolutionary relationships among species?
Which classification level is more general than species but more specific than domain?
Which classification level is more general than species but more specific than domain?
What aspect of organisms do phylogenetic trees illustrate?
What aspect of organisms do phylogenetic trees illustrate?
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Among the main domains of life, which one includes complex cells?
Among the main domains of life, which one includes complex cells?
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Which classification hierarchy level typically includes more species: the genus or family?
Which classification hierarchy level typically includes more species: the genus or family?
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Which of the following is least likely to be used when determining the evolutionary relationships of organisms?
Which of the following is least likely to be used when determining the evolutionary relationships of organisms?
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What is the significance of a phylogenetic tree?
What is the significance of a phylogenetic tree?
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What does the term 'genome' refer to in biological context?
What does the term 'genome' refer to in biological context?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic that reflects unity in the diversity of life?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic that reflects unity in the diversity of life?
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How do similarities in metabolic pathways contribute to the understanding of life's unity?
How do similarities in metabolic pathways contribute to the understanding of life's unity?
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Which statement correctly describes a feature of cell structure that showcases unity among diverse life forms?
Which statement correctly describes a feature of cell structure that showcases unity among diverse life forms?
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What underlies the variation in genetic codes among different species?
What underlies the variation in genetic codes among different species?
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Which of the following is a key outcome of natural selection in the context of evolutionary biology?
Which of the following is a key outcome of natural selection in the context of evolutionary biology?
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What is meant by the term 'heritable information' in the context of genetics?
What is meant by the term 'heritable information' in the context of genetics?
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Which factor contributes to the common structural features of cells across different life forms?
Which factor contributes to the common structural features of cells across different life forms?
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What is the primary role of DNA in living organisms?
What is the primary role of DNA in living organisms?
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Which statement describes a feature of the genetic code in all forms of life?
Which statement describes a feature of the genetic code in all forms of life?
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How is life organized at various levels according to the hierarchy of life?
How is life organized at various levels according to the hierarchy of life?
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In what way do prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells share commonalities?
In what way do prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells share commonalities?
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Which components are classified as biologically important macromolecules?
Which components are classified as biologically important macromolecules?
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What can be inferred about unicellular organisms compared to multicellular organisms?
What can be inferred about unicellular organisms compared to multicellular organisms?
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Which process is essential for the continuity of life through DNA?
Which process is essential for the continuity of life through DNA?
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What similarity exists within metabolic pathways across different life forms?
What similarity exists within metabolic pathways across different life forms?
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Study Notes
Principles of Biology
- Biology is the scientific study of living things and how they work
- Living things share characteristics that distinguish them from non-living things
- These characteristics include being composed of one or more cells, containing a genetic program, growing, reproducing, harvesting/transforming energy, responding to their surroundings, regulating internal environment, and evolving.
- Organisms possess all of these characteristics working together
- The parts of an organism function in concert to create emergent properties. Organism functionality is greater than the sum of its parts.
- Examples of these emergent properties include interactions among cells/tissues/organs and the overall emergent function of these systems
Levels of Biological Organization
- Biology is studied at many levels, from the submicroscopic level of molecules to the global scale of the entire living planet.
- Key levels of biological organization include: atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biosphere.
Cells
- Cells are the basic units of life; all organisms are composed of cells.
- Cells can exist as independent, unicellular organisms or as subunits of multicellular organisms
- Cells exhibit characteristics required for life independently
- Cells have different types of organelles that perform specific tasks
Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes
- Prokaryotes are the oldest cell type, small, simple; lack a nucleus and organelles; single-celled.
- Eukaryotes evolved from prokaryotes; larger, more complex; contain a nucleus and organelles; single-celled or multicellular.
Life's Origins
- Life arose through chemical evolution (development from non-living to living).
- Self-replicating molecules were key in the origin of life
- Biological molecules then enclosed themselves within membranes.
The Central Dogma
- The central dogma describes the flow of genetic information in a cell.
- DNA transmits genetic information through transcription into RNA, and then translation into proteins. Key processes include transcription and translation.
Heritable Information (DNA)
- Biological instructions for ordering life processes are encoded in DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
- DNA is the substance of genes, the units of inheritance.
- DNA is passed on from parents to offspring during reproduction
Biodiversity
- Living organisms display remarkable diversity; there are many different types of life on Earth.
- Diversity is seen in variety of species, ecosystems, and genes.
Unity in Diversity
- Despite diversity, life exhibits striking unity, especially at lower levels.
- Characteristics of life include similar metabolic pathways, nearly universal genetic codes, and similarities in cell structure.
Evolution
- Evolution accounts for the combination of unity and diversity of life by describing change in the genetic makeup of organisms through time.
- Evolution happens through differential survival and reproduction.
Classification
- Taxonomic classification is a hierarchical system used to categorize organisms.
- Categorization occurs based on domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species levels.
- Scientists use the fossil record and molecular evidence to study and classify organisms.
- Phylogenetic trees illustrate evolutionary relationships and the order species diverged.
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Description
Test your understanding of the fundamental principles of biology, focusing on the characteristics that define living organisms and their levels of biological organization. Explore how these aspects contribute to emergent properties and overall functionality in living systems.
