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General Biology: Chapter 1 Key Concepts

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Terms in this set (29)

  • Characteristics of life not exhibited by a smartphone
    Reproduction, response to environment, and homeostasis are not exhibited by a smartphone.
  • Characteristic of life fulfilled by a motor vehicle
    A motor vehicle utilizes energy, fulfilling one characteristic of life.
  • Highest level of taxonomic organization
    Domain is the highest level of taxonomic organization.
  • Four kingdoms of domain Eukarya and their characteristics
    Plantae: producers using sunlight; Animalia: consumers needing food; Fungi: decomposers of dead matter; Protista: diverse mostly unicellular organisms.
  • Common feature of Archaea and Bacteria domains
    All organisms in Archaea and Bacteria are prokaryotic.
  • Definition of a population in biology
    A population is a group of organisms of the same species living in a specific area, e.g., a school of fish in a lake.
  • Emergent properties in biology
    New characteristics that arise at higher levels of biological organization are called emergent properties.
  • Science as an approach
    Science is an approach to understanding the natural world and its phenomena.
  • Difference between qualitative and quantitative data
    Qualitative data are descriptive; quantitative data are numerical measurements.
  • Definition of a hypothesis
    A hypothesis is a tentative explanation for observations, subject to testing.
  • Difference between hypothesis and theory
    A theory is supported by extensive evidence; a hypothesis is a preliminary, testable idea.
  • Effect of camouflage on predation attacks
    Noncamouflaged models experience more attacks than camouflaged ones, indicating camouflage reduces predation.
  • Number of variables differing between experimental and control groups
    Only one variable should differ to isolate its effect.
  • Importance of controlling variables in experiments
    Controlling variables ensures that observed effects are due to the tested factor alone.
  • Role of scientific community feedback
    Feedback from peers is essential for forming and testing hypotheses and validating results.
  • Difference between science and technology
    Science gains knowledge; technology applies that knowledge for practical purposes.
  • Definition of evolution
    Evolution is the change in life forms on Earth over time.
  • Key observations in Darwin's theory of natural selection
    Variation among individuals and overproduction of offspring lead to unequal reproductive success and adaptation.
  • Meaning of 'nature' in natural selection
    'Nature' refers to the environment selecting for traits that increase survival and reproduction.
  • Common ancestry of red pandas, weasels, and raccoons
    They share a common ancestor according to evolutionary trees.
  • Example of natural selection in pesticide resistance
    Insects developing resistance to pesticides over time is an example of natural selection.
  • Genes as units of inheritance
    Genes carry hereditary information passed from parents to offspring.
  • Genetic code analogy
    DNA sequences are like letters arranged to form words, creating proteins with specific functions.
  • Universal genetic language
    DNA is universal, allowing genes from one organism to function in another, e.g., human HGH in bacteria.
  • Five unifying themes of biology
    Evolution, information, structure and function, energy and matter, and interactions.
  • Example of form following function at cellular level
    Nerve cells have long extensions to transmit electrical signals over long distances.
  • Movement of energy and chemicals in ecosystems
    Energy flows in one direction; nutrients are recycled within ecosystems.
  • Roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers
    Producers make food; consumers eat producers or others; decomposers recycle nutrients from dead matter.
  • Definition of systems biology
    Systems biology studies interactions among parts of biological systems to understand function.