BIOLOGY Week 1-3

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the endomembrane system?

Mitochondria (correct)

Vesicles

Golgi apparatus

Endoplasmic reticulum

Which organelle is primarily responsible for processing and modifying proteins synthesized by the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER)?

Smooth ER

Mitochondria

Lysosomes

Golgi apparatus (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of lysosomes?

Contain hydrolytic enzymes

Found in both plant and animal cells (correct)

Act as the garbage disposal of the cell

Break down unwanted substances

Which of the following organelles is responsible for generating ATP through cellular respiration?

Mitochondria Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is NOT found within chloroplasts?

Cristae Signup and view all the answers

Which organelle is responsible for synthesizing phospholipids and producing lipids?

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of peroxisomes?

Break down fatty acids and produce hydrogen peroxide Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of both chloroplasts and mitochondria?

Contain their own DNA and ribosomes Signup and view all the answers

Which evolutionary concept is associated with the idea that a giraffe's long neck developed gradually over time due to stretching and then passing that acquired trait to its offspring?

Lamarck's Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics Signup and view all the answers

According to Darwin’s theory, what would happen to the giraffe population over generations, if long necks were beneficial for reaching food?

Giraffes with longer necks would survive and reproduce more than those with shorter necks, making it more common. Signup and view all the answers

What are transitional fossils?

Fossils that have traits from both ancestral groups and their descendants. Signup and view all the answers

What impact does continental drift have on the evolution of species?

It can lead to the geographical isolation of populations, allowing them to evolve separately. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is an example of homologous structures?

The forelimbs of bats, birds, and humans. Signup and view all the answers

What does a high degree of similarity in DNA sequences between humans and chimpanzees suggest?

They share a recent common ancestor. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of evolution in the context of biological traits?

The change in heritable traits in a population over successive generations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents the correct order of steps in the scientific method?

Observation, Question, Hypothesis, Experiment, Analysis, Conclusion Signup and view all the answers

What type of reasoning is characterized by starting with a specific observation and developing a general conclusion?

Inductive Reasoning Signup and view all the answers

In an experiment, what is the purpose of a control variable?

To provide a constant to the experiment, to isolate the effects of the independent variable. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between a hypothesis and a prediction in the scientific method?

A hypothesis is a general idea; a prediction is a measurable outcome. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning?

Knowing that all mammals have hair, and concluding that a cat is a mammal. Signup and view all the answers

If you are testing the effects of different amounts of fertilizer on plant growth, what would the independent variable be?

The amount of fertilizer used. Signup and view all the answers

What role does analysis play in the scientific method?

To interpret data and draw conclusions. Signup and view all the answers

After conducting an experiment, what is the next step when the analysis does not support the hypothesis?

Form a new hypothesis based on the data. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of taxonomy?

To govern the naming, describing, identifying, and preservation of specimens. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the correct order of classification from the most inclusive to the least inclusive?

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is used to classify organisms into the Class Mammalia?

The presence of hair and mammary glands. Signup and view all the answers

What did Charles Darwin primarily observe during his voyage to the Galapagos Islands that contributed to his theory of evolution?

The differences in beak size and shape among finches on different islands. Signup and view all the answers

What is a central tenet of Darwin's theory of natural selection?

Individuals with favorable traits will have greater reproductive success. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is the definition of the term evolution?

Any evolved trait that helps an organism be more suited to its environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key concept of Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck’s theory of ‘inheritance of acquired characteristics’?

The environment can bring about an inherited change. Signup and view all the answers

Which process best explains how favorable traits spread through a population according to the provided text?

Organisms becoming adapted to environmental conditions via reproductive success. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary outcome of macroevolution?

The formation of new species. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process, by which one species gives rise to two species, called?

Speciation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by all cells?

Presence of a nucleus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the principle defining structure of a eukaryotic cell?

Nucleus Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the surface area to volume ratio as a cell increases in volume?

The ratio will decrease. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the plasma membrane?

To regulate what enters and exits the cell. Signup and view all the answers

Which one of the following characteristics is unique to prokaryotic cells?

Presence of a plasmid Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the nucleolus within the nucleus?

To produce ribosomal RNA Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental source of new, inheritable genetic variation within a population?

Mutations Signup and view all the answers

Which evolutionary mechanism is most likely to reduce genetic variation within a small population?

Genetic drift Signup and view all the answers

A group of birds migrates to a new island and begins a new colony. This is an example of which evolutionary effect?

Founder effect Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the outcome of gene flow between populations?

Increased genetic variation within populations. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes natural selection from other mechanisms of evolution?

It leads to changes driven by differences in fitness. Signup and view all the answers

If a population of butterflies contains a small number that prefer to mate with a particular color pattern, what is most likely to be an effect on the general population?

Increased allele frequency for that color pattern. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinguising factor of microevolution from other types of evolution?

It involves changes within a species. Signup and view all the answers

Which activity is an example of artificial selection causing microevolution?

The development of different breeds of dogs. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Scientific Method

Scientific inquiry follows the scientific method.
Observation
Question
Hypothesis
Experiment
Analysis
Conclusion

Inductive Reasoning

Creative thinking combines isolated facts into a cohesive whole.
Used in making a hypothesis.
Hypotheses need to be tested.
SPECIFIC OBSERVATION → PATTERN RECOGNITION → GENERAL CONCLUSION

Deductive Reasoning

Considers possible relationships of different factors.
Used in making predictions.
Predictions are required for experiments.
EXISTING THEORY → FORMULATE HYPOTHESIS → COLLECT DATA → ANALYZE DATA → DO/DON'T REJECT HYPOTHESIS

Scientific Theory

Hypotheses that are related and well-supported (repeated experimentation) form scientific theories.
In science, a theory is supported by a broad range of observations, experiments, and data.

Characteristics of Life

Life exists almost everywhere on the planet Earth.
Earth possesses a great variety of diverse life forms.
There are estimated to be 8.7 million different species and some sources estimate 2 billion bacteria species.
All living things have certain characteristics in common.

Characteristics of Life (Continued)

Organisms acquire materials and energy
Reproduction ensures species survival
Response to stimuli (senses)
Maintenance of internal stability (homeostasis)
Growth and development
Capacity to adapt

Three Domain System of Classification

Eukarya
Bacteria
Archaea

Classification of Organisms

Living organisms are assigned to groups based on similarities.
Systematics is the study of evolutionary relationships among organisms.
Research performed by systematists may result in changes to the current classification system.
Taxonomy = the discipline of organizing and grouping organisms.
Taxonomy + Phylogeny = Systematics

Charles Darwin

Initially believed that species remained unchanged since creation.
During his 5-year voyage, he collected and recorded geological and biological diversity.
Observed differences in the size and shape of finches' beaks on different Galapagos Islands.

Theory of Evolution

Evolution: any evolved trait that helps an organism be suited to its environment.
Natural Selection:
- Individual organisms in a species exhibit variation.
- Can be passed from one generation to the next.
- Organisms compete for available resources.
- Individuals in a population produce more offspring than the environment can support.

Theory of Evolution: Lamarck vs. Darwin

Lamarck - inheritance of acquired characteristics; traits acquired during an organism's lifetime can be passed to offspring (giraffe example)
Darwin:
- Evolution by natural selection.

Evidence of Evolution

Fossils
Biogeographical: continental drift
Anatomical
Biochemical

Terminology

Gene: A segment of DNA information for one specific trait/protein.
Alleles: Variation in a gene

Processes of Evolution

Mutation: changes in DNA (source of new genetic variation).
Genetic drift : random chance in allele frequency in a small population
Gene flow : movement of alleles between populations
Natural selection : environment "chooses" traits best suited for survival.
Non-random mating: Individuals select mates based on traits

Microevolution

Within species variation

Macroevolution

Formation of a new species (speciation)
Species: Group of similar, interbreeding organisms.

Cell Theory

Cells are the basic units of life.
All living organisms are composed of one or more cells.
All cells come only from previously existing cells.

Types of Cells

Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-enclosed structures.
Eukaryotic cells possess membrane-enclosed structures.

Plasma Membrane and Cytoplasm

All cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane.
The material inside of a cell is the cytoplasm.
The plasma membrane regulates what enters and exits a cell.

Cell Structure and Function (Organelles)

Nucleus
Ribosomes
Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER, Smooth ER)
Golgi Apparatus
Lysosomes
Vacuoles
Peroxisomes
Mitochondria
Chloroplasts
Cytoskeleton (including Actin Filaments, Intermediate Filaments, Microtubules)

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Description

Explore the scientific method, including observation, hypothesis formation, and analysis. Understand the differences between inductive and deductive reasoning and how these approaches apply to formulating scientific theories. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of key concepts in scientific inquiry.