Life As We Know It
Translates from it's root words to literally mean, "the study of life".
What is Biology?
What is lower (more simple) on 'Life's Organizational Hierarchy Scale'... The human Endocrine System or a Herd of Elephants?
The Endocrine System is lower than a Herd of Elephants
*BONUS 100 if you can give the names of the organizational levels these examples belong to*
A ______ is a proposed explanation for a natural phenomenon
A ______ is a broad explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is substantiated by a large body of evidence
hypothesis
theory
Life attempts to maintain consistent internal conditions via this process
What is Homeostasis?
The smallest units that are classified as living
What is a Cell?
Give an example of how to make a conclusion after conducting a scientific experiment. What words should be avoided?
"The hypothesis cannot be rejected"
"The results support the hypothesis"
Avoid saying that the results prove the hypothesis or making any sweeping claims based on one experiment
What are the three domains of life?
Bacteria, archaea, eukarya
A conceptual, mathematical, or physical depiction of a real-world phenomenon
What is a model?
A duck's webbed feet allow it to push against water effectively and swim well. What principle of biology does this demonstrate?
Structure determines function
Which 'taxon' is more inclusive?
The Phylum Chordata or the Order Primates
Phylums are more inclusive than Orders
Dumb Kids Playing Chess On Freeways Get Smashed*
A Hypothesis must be: (2 things)
1. Testable
2. Falsifiable *BONUS 100 if you give an ex:*
The systematic study of the world through direct observation and experimentation
What is Science?
(In order from smallest to biggest) Provide the 11 levels of "Life's Organizational Hierarchy"
Atom, (Bio)Molecule, Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere
AMOCTOOOPCEB
The 'organizational level' where EVOLUTION occurs
What are Populations?
If someone was studying all of the living organisms in an area of the Amazon rainforest, they would be studying life at this level of organization.
Community
Scientists are trying to test whether a drug is effective in curing a bacterial infection. They take 100 people and give half of them the drug and give the other half a placebo. Who is in the control group and who is in the experimental group? Additionally, what is the independent and dependent variable?
People who got the placebo are in the control group, people who took the drug are in the experimental group.
The independent variable is the whether or not the drug was administered, the dependent variable was the effectiveness of the drug.
"The branch of biology that names and organizes organisms into groups based on shared traits"
What is Taxonomy?
Give all 6 characteristics used to define LIFE
1. Cells are the simplest units of life
2. Living organisms use energy
3. Living organisms interact with their environment
4. Living organisms maintain homeostasis
5. The genetic material (DNA) is the blueprint that allows organisms to grow, develop, and reproduce
6. Populations of organisms evolve
In addition to the 6 characteristics of life, biologists have identified 6 other principles and skills that are important in all fields of biology. Give 4 of those of these principles/skills
7: Structure determines function
8: New properties of life emerge from complex interactions
9: Biology is an experimental science
10: Biology is a quantitative science
11: Biologists use models and simulations to test experimental predictions and convey their ideas
12: Biology affects our society
Give the 5 steps of hypothesis testing
1. Observations are made regarding natural phenomena
2. These observations lead to a testable hypothesis that tries to explain the phenomena
3. Experiments are conducted to determine if the predictions are correct
4. The data are analyzed (involves use of statistical analysis)
5. The hypothesis is supported or rejected based on the data
Give all 8 'taxa' in order from most general to most specific
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
Dumb kids playing chess on freeways get smashed
Genetic information is passed from parents to offspring and can cause evolution when mutations occur. What is this process called?
Vertical descent with mutation