BIO 1111 Final Review – Step-by-Step Study Guidance

Q1. What is biology the study of?

Background

Topic: Introduction to Biology

This question tests your understanding of the basic definition and scope of biology as a scientific discipline.

Key Terms:

• Biology: The scientific study of life and living organisms.

• Organism: Any living thing, such as plants, animals, fungi, or microorganisms.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Think about what all living things have in common and what scientists study when they examine life.

2. Recall the root words: 'bio' means life, and 'logy' means study of.

3. Consider the broad range of topics biology covers, from molecules and cells to ecosystems and evolution.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q2. What are the seven aspects of life? How many does an organism need to possess to be considered ‘alive’?

Background

Topic: Characteristics of Life

This question asks you to recall the fundamental properties that define living organisms and to understand the criteria for life.

Key Terms:

• Aspects of Life: Also called characteristics or properties of life (e.g., order, reproduction, growth and development, energy processing, response to environment, regulation, evolutionary adaptation).

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. List the seven commonly accepted characteristics that define living things.

2. Think about examples of each characteristic in real organisms.

3. Consider whether an organism must have all seven characteristics to be classified as alive, or if some can be missing.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q3. How does a theory differ from a hypothesis?

Background

Topic: Scientific Method

This question tests your understanding of the difference between two key scientific concepts: theory and hypothesis.

Key Terms:

• Theory: A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of evidence.

• Hypothesis: A testable prediction or explanation for a phenomenon, often based on limited evidence.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Define what a hypothesis is and what role it plays in scientific investigations.

2. Define what a theory is and how it is developed over time.

3. Compare the level of evidence and acceptance required for each.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!

Q4. What is an atom? What are the components (protons, neutrons, etc.), their charges and locations?

Background

Topic: Basic Chemistry for Biology

This question tests your understanding of atomic structure, including the subatomic particles and their properties.

Key Terms:

• Atom: The smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical properties.

• Proton: Positively charged particle found in the nucleus.

• Neutron: Neutral particle found in the nucleus.

• Electron: Negatively charged particle found in orbitals around the nucleus.

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Define what an atom is in the context of chemistry and biology.

2. List the three main subatomic particles and their charges.

3. Describe where each particle is located within the atom.

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Q5. How do you determine the number of protons, electrons and neutrons an element has?

Background

Topic: Atomic Structure and Elements

This question tests your ability to use the periodic table and atomic numbers/mass numbers to find subatomic particle counts.

Key Terms and Formulas:

• Atomic Number (Z): Number of protons in the nucleus.

• Mass Number (A): Total number of protons and neutrons.

• Number of Neutrons: $\text{Neutrons} = \text{Mass Number} - \text{Atomic Number}$

Step-by-Step Guidance

1. Identify the atomic number for the element (number of protons).

2. For a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons.

3. Subtract the atomic number from the mass number to find the number of neutrons.

Try solving on your own before revealing the answer!