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22 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Briefly describe the unifying themes that characterize the biological sciences. |
Evolution (overarching theme) New properties (emerging theme) Organisms swap energy/matter (interact theme) Organisms cells are structure and function (basic units theme) Feedback mechanisms (regulating theme) Life is based on DNA (continuous theme) Structure/function are tied to bio. organization (correlation theme) |
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Diagram the hierarchy of structural levels in biological organization. |
Biosphere, Environment, Community, Population, Organism, Organs and Organ Systems, Tissue, Cells, Organelles, Molecules. |
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Explain how novel properties of life emerge from complex organization. |
Emergent properties - due to the arrangement/interactions of parts as complexity increases. |
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Describe the dilemma of reductionism. |
In order to more closely analyze and study systems, they must be broken down. When this is done however, the system can not function as it would when all put together. |
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Describe the two major dynamic processes of any ecosystem. |
Cycle nutrients. Energy is transferred from organism to organism. |
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Name two characteristics shared by all cells. |
DNA Ribosomes |
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Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. |
Pro - simpler organism who's DNA is not encased in a Nucleus. Euk - Membrane bound organism who's DNA is encased in a Nucleus. We are made up of Euk. |
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Describe the basic structure and function of DNA. |
Basically the blueprint for the cell. Contains the Genus. |
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Discuss the goals and activities of systems biology |
To create models of systems and answer the "big" questions. |
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Distinguish the three domains of life. |
Bacteria - most diverse prokaryotes Archaea - extreme environments Eukarya - composed of eukaryotes |
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List and distinguish among the three multicellular kingdoms. |
Euk. Fungi - absorb nutrients from surroundings Plantae - photosynthesis Animalia - ingest other organisms |
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Explain "life's dual nature of unity and diversity." |
The process of evolution illuminates both similarities and differences in the world of life: historical time. |
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Describe the observations and inferences that led Charles Darwin to his theory of evolution by natural selection. |
Individuals in a population vary in their traits, (heritable) Population produces more offspring that can survive, creating competition. Species generally suit their environments. |
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Distinguish between discovery science and hypothesis-based science. How do they both contribute to our understanding of nature? |
Discovery Science - describing nature Hypothesis-Based Science - explaining nature |
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Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data. |
qualitative - recorded descriptions quantitative - recorded measurements. |
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Distinguish between inductive and deductive reasoning. |
inductive - derive generalizations from a large number of specific observations. deductive - derive specifics from the generalizations. |
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Explain why hypotheses must be testable and falsifiable, but are not provable. |
testable - must be some way to check the validity of the idea. falsifiable - must be some observation or experiment that could reveal if the idea is actually not true. Impossible to test all alternative hypotheses. |
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Describe what is meant by a controlled experiment. |
to compare an experimental group with a control group |
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What is the everyday meaning of theory? |
untested speculation. |
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What is the meaning of theory to scientists? |
1. broader in scope than a hypotheses. 2. general enough to spin of many new specific hypotheses that can be tested. 3. generally supported by a large body of evidence. |
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Describe an example that illustrates how science may be influenced by social cultural factors. |
Changing attitudes about career choices have increased the proportion of women in biology. |
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Distinguish between science and technology. Explain how science and technology are interdependent. |
Science - goal is to understand natural phenomena. Technology - generally applies scientific knowledge for some specific purpose. |
