Foundations of Biology
Name three characteristics of life.
Organization; metabolization; reproduction; response to stimuli; adaptation; growth; homeostasis
Name one difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Nucleus
What is the ultimate source of energy for most ecosystems?
The sun
What is DNA, and what is its main function?
Molecule of inheritance; stores genetic information
What does natural selection mean?
Core mechanism of evolution, by which individuals with higher fitness are more likely to survive and reproduce
What is the dependent variable in an experiment?
What we measure
What is diffusion?
The movement of particles from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.
How are photosynthesis and cellular respiration related?
Inputs of one = outputs of the other
What is an allele?
One version of a particular gene (coming from one parent)
What is a producer, and why are producers essential?
An organism that creates energy from non-living materials/energy; form the base of most food chains
Give an example of a testable hypothesis in biology
Must inquire about relationship between independent and dependent variables
Explain the difference between hyper- and hypotonic solutions.
Hypertonic solutions have a higher solute concentration.
Explain the difference between energy flow and matter cycling.
Energy does not travel back down food chains (it's lost as heat); matter cycles between living and non-living actors in the environment
What's the difference between transcription and translation?
Transcription is how we get RNA from DNA; translation is how we get proteins from RNA
Why does biodiversity make ecosystems more resilient?
More species filling each role in the food pyramid/ecological niche
What instrument allows you to look at small structures invisible to the naked eye?
Microscope
Bigger cell = less diffusion
When a tree grows, what is actually making it bigger?
Biomass (or carbon-based molecules) via photosynthesis
Explain the difference between a heterozygote and homozygote for a particular gene.
Two different alleles versus two copies of the same allele
Why does CRISPR raise ethical questions, even if it could prevent disease?
Safety; equitable access; permanent alterations to the gene pool
Are viruses alive? Defend your answer using at least one characteristic of life.
Must include one characteristic of life
What tradeoff do prokaryotic cells make by lacking membrane-bound organelles?
Achieve rapid reproduction at the expense of efficiency, size, and complexity
What would happen to an ecosystem without decomposers?
Dead matter would pile up and would not be recycled
Can two organisms have the same phenotype but different genotypes? Explain.
Yes; heterozygotes and dominant homozygotes share phenotypes.
February 8th!