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General Biology: Introduction, Evolution, and Scientific Method

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Terms in this set (25)

  • What is biology?

    Biology is the scientific study of life.

  • What does the prefix 'bio-' mean?

    The prefix bio- means life.

  • What does the suffix '-ology' mean?

    The suffix -ology means the study of.

  • What is the smallest, most basic unit of life?

    The cell is the smallest, most basic unit of life.

  • What is an organism?

    An organism is any individual form of life, applicable to all forms of life.

  • What is the difference between unicellular and multicellular organisms?

    Unicellular organisms consist of a single cell; multicellular organisms consist of many cells.

  • List the eight characteristics of life.

    1) Composed of cells.
    2) Hierarchical organization.
    3) Respond to environment.
    4) Maintain homeostasis.
    5) Reproduce.
    6) Metabolism using energy.
    7) Contain genetic information (DNA).
    8) Evolution over time.

  • What is homeostasis?

    Homeostasis is the maintenance of stable internal conditions suitable for life.

  • What is the hierarchical organization of life from smallest to largest?

    Atom → Molecule → Organelle → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biosphere.

  • What are emergent properties?

    Emergent properties arise when smaller parts combine to form a whole that has new functions not seen in individual parts.

  • What is adaptation in biology?

    Adaptation is the process that enables organisms to improve survival and reproduction in their environment.

  • Define fitness in an evolutionary context.

    Fitness is an organism's ability to survive and reproduce.

  • What is natural selection?

    Natural selection is the process where the environment selects for organisms with traits that increase fitness.

  • What are the two requirements for natural selection?

    1) Genetic variation in a population.
    2) Selective pressure for heritable traits affecting fitness.

  • What is evolution?

    Evolution is the change in the genetic makeup of a population over multiple generations.

  • What is taxonomy?

    Taxonomy is the branch of science that classifies, identifies, and names organisms.

  • What are the three domains of life?

    Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

  • What distinguishes the domain Eukarya from Bacteria and Archaea?

    Eukarya consist of eukaryotic cells that contain a nucleus; Bacteria and Archaea are prokaryotic and lack a nucleus.

  • How are organisms categorized based on energy acquisition?

    1) Autotrophs (producers) make their own food.
    2) Heterotrophs (consumers) eat other organisms.
    3) Decomposers obtain energy from dead organisms and waste.

  • What is the scientific method?

    A procedure to ask questions, test ideas, and build scientific knowledge through observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and analysis.

  • What is a hypothesis?

    A hypothesis is a proposed, testable explanation for an observation that can generate predictions.

  • What is a scientific theory?

    A theory is a well-supported, testable explanation based on many observations and evidence.

  • What are independent and dependent variables in an experiment?

    Independent variable is manipulated by the researcher.
    Dependent variable is measured and affected by the independent variable.

  • What are false positives and false negatives?

    False positive: test indicates a result when it is not true.
    False negative: test fails to indicate a result when it is true.

  • What are positive and negative controls in experiments?

    Positive control: group expected to show a positive result.
    Negative control: group expected to show no effect.