Campbell Biology: Ninth Edition – Chapter 1: The Study of Life – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Unlock answers
question
Evolution
answer
Evolution is the process of change that has transformed life on Earth
question
DNA
DNA
answer
Deoxyribonucleic acid: a long linear polymer found in the nucleus of a cell and formed from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix
question
Biology
answer
The scientific study of life
question
Emergent properties
answer
New properties that arise with each step upward in the hierarchy of life, owing to the arrangement and interactions of parts as complexity increases.
question
Systems Biology
answer
An approach to studying biology that aims to model the dynamic behavior of whole biological systems based on a study of the interactions among the system's parts.
question
Eukaryotic Cell
answer
A type of cell with a membrane-enclosed nucleus and membrane-enclosed organelles. Organisms with eukaryotic cells (protists, plants, fungi, and animals) are called eukaryotes.
question
Prokaryotic Cell
answer
A type of cell lacking a membrane-enclosed nucleus and membrane-enclosed organelles. Organisms with prokaryotic cells (bacteria and archaea) are called prokaryotes.
question
Gene
answer
A discrete unit of hereditary information consisting of a specific nucleotide sequence in DNA (or RNA, in some viruses).
question
Gene expression
answer
The process by which information encoded in DNA directs the synthesis of proteins or, in some cases, RNAs that are not translated into proteins and instead function as RNAs.
question
Genome
answer
The genetic material of an organism or virus; the complete complement of an organism's or virus's genes along with its noncoding nucleic acid sequences.
question
Biosphere
answer
The entire portion of Earth inhabited by life; the sum of all the planet's ecosystems.
question
Ecosystems
answer
All the organisms in a given area as well as the abiotic factors with which they interact; one or more communities and the physical environment around them
question
Community
answer
All the organisms that inhabit a particular area; an assemblage of populations of different species living close enough together for potential interaction.
question
Population
answer
A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and interbreed, producing fertile offspring.
question
Organism
answer
a creature such as a plant, animal or a single-celled life form, or something that has interdependent parts and that is being compared to a living creature
question
Organs
answer
A specialized center of body function composed of several different types of tissues.
question
Organ Systems
answer
A group of organs that work together in performing vital body functions.
question
Tissues
answer
An integrated group of cells with a common structure, function, or both.
question
Organelles
answer
Any of several membrane-enclosed structures with specialized functions, suspended in the cytosol of eukaryotic cells.
question
Cell
answer
The part of a neuron that houses the nucleus and most other organelles.
question
Molecule
answer
Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.
question
Negative Feedback
answer
A form of regulation in which accumulation of an end product of a process slows the process; in physiology, a primary mechanism of homeostasis, whereby a change in a variable triggers a response that counteracts the initial change.
question
Positive Feedback
answer
A form of regulation in which an end product of a process speeds up that process; in physiology, a control mechanism in which a change in a variable triggers a response that reinforces or amplifies the change.
question
Adaptation
answer
Inherited characteristic of an organism that enhances its survival and reproduction in a specific environment.
question
Inductive Reasoning
answer
Induction moves from a set of specific observations (humans require organic molecules, fish require organic molecules) to reach a general conclusion (all animals require organic molecules
question
Data
answer
Recorded observations.
question
Hypothesis
answer
A testable explanation for a set of observations based on the available data and guided by inductive reasoning. A hypothesis is narrower in scope than a theory.
question
Deductive Reasoning
answer
A type of logic in which specific results are predicted from a general premise.
question
Controlled Experiment
answer
An experiment in which an experimental group is compared with a control group that varies only in the factor being tested.
question
Dependent Variable
answer
It is something that depends on other factors.
question
Independent Variable
answer
It is a variable that stands alone and isn't changed by the other variables you are trying to measure.
question
Theory
answer
An explanation that is broader in scope than a hypothesis, generates new hypotheses, and is supported by a large body of evidence.
question
What are the 7 Characteristics of Life?
answer
1. Order 2. Regulation 3. Energy Processing 4. Evolutionary Adaptation 5. Response to the Environment 6. Reproduction 7. Growth and Development
question
Metabolism
answer
The totality of an organism's chemical reactions, consisting of catabolic and anabolic pathways, which manage the material and energy resources of the organism.
question
Why is Biology a Science?
answer
Biology is a science since it takes care to interpret the nature, according to the scientific method, which establishes the resolution of hypotheses raised by the researcher, by means of using different techniques for the creation of representative models of nature.
question
Distinguish between Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
answer
Inductive reasoning derives generalizations from specific cases and deductive reasoning predicts specific outcomes from general premises.
question
What are the 7 steps of the Scientific Method?
answer
1. Observe 2. Research 3. Form a hypothesis 4. Test the hypothesis 5. Analyze results and draw conclusions 6. Report your findings 7. Conduct more research
question
What is the difference between hypothesis, theory and law?
answer
The Difference between a Hypothesis a Theory and a Law there are very distinct. A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested. A theory is a statement that has not been tested. A Law is a statement that is relevant and is true.
question
What is the difference between observational and experimental investigations?
answer
Observational investigations do not manipulate data
question
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?
answer
Quantitative data includes recorded measurements which can be organized into tables or graphs and qualitative data would include observations
question
What is the relationship between the conclusion and the hypothesis?
answer
The conclusion is a statement about the experiment's results. As a report of your data, it can't be considered wrong even if the results don't support your hypothesis. You have learned that your hypothesis does not answer your original research question.
question
What are the three domains by which all living organisms are classified?
answer
Domain Bacteria Domain Archaea Domain Eukarya
question
What are the 4 kingdoms in the Domain Eukarya?
answer
Plantae Animalia Fungi Protista
question
What are Bacteria?
answer
All unicellular prokaryotic (no nucleus) organisms with peptidoglycan in their cell walls
question
What is the Theory of Natural Selection?
answer
A process in which individuals that have certain inherited traits tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than other individuals because of those traits.
question
How do we distinguish between results(data) and conclusions?
answer
Results are measurable data and a conclusion is a report about what you learned based on w the results
question
Concept 1.2: Why is evolution considered the core theme of biology?
answer
Evolution accounts for the unity and diversity of life and it explains the most fundamental aspects of all life on earth. It accounts for the common features shared by all forms of life due to the descent from a common ancestor.
question
Concept 1.3: How could natural selection have led to the evolution of adaptations such as the thick, water conserving leaves of the mother of pearl plant?
answer
Ancestors of this plant may have exhibited variation in how well their leaves conserved water. Because not much soil is present in the crevices where these plants are found, the variant plans that could conserve water may hav survived better and been able to produce more offspring.
question
Define Biology? What is the definition of Biology
answer
Biology is the scientific study of life
question
What is the molecule that can account for both the unity and the diversity of life?
answer
DNA
question
What is the appropriate term for an interacting group of individuals of a single type occupying a defined area?
answer
A Population
question
How would you define a Eukaryotic cell?
answer
A eukaryotic cell has membrane-enclosed organelles, the largest of which is usually the nucleus
question
How would you define a prokaryotic cell?
answer
A prokaryotic cell is simpler and usually smaller, and does not contain a nucleus or other membrane-enclosed organelles
question
What is deductive reasoning?
answer
Deductive reasoning uses general premises to make specific predictions
question
What are the 7 Properties/Characteristics of Life
answer
1. Order 2. Regulation 3. Energy Processing 4. Evolutionary Adaptation 5. Response to the Environment 6. Reproduction 7. Growth and Development
question
What is reductionism?
answer
The approach of reducing complex systems to simpler components that are more manageable to study.
question
What are the 10 levels of Biological Organization?
answer
1. Biosphere 2. Ecosystem 3. Communities 4. Populations 5. Organisms 6. Organs and Organ Systems 7. Tissues 8. Cells 9. Organelles 10. Molecules
question
Cell
answer
The lowest level of organization that can perform all activities required for life
question
What is a theory?
answer
A theory is a statement that has not been tested
question
What is a law?
answer
A Law is a statement that is relevant and is true.
question
What is a hypothesis?
answer
A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested
question
What are data?
answer
Data are recorded observations or items of information
question
Of the three domains Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya, which one is prokayotic?
answer
Archaea
question
The energy used by most organisms for metabolism and growth ultimately comes from....
answer
The sun
question
Eukaryotic organisms that decompose dead organisms and absorb the nutrients are generally found in which kingdom?
answer
Fungi
question
All the organisms on a campus make up...
answer
a community
Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New