Biology 1406

Front 1

What are the unifying themes that characterize the biological sciences?

Back 1

Theme 1: Evolution
Theme 2: Emergent Properties
Theme 3: Organisms Interact
Theme 4: Structure & Function
Theme 5: Cells
Theme 6: The Continuity of Life
Theme 7: Feedback Mechanisms

Front 2

List the hierarchy of structural levels in biological organization.

Back 2

Biosphere>Ecosystem>Community>
Population>Organisms>Organ Systems>Tissues>Cells>Organelles>Molecules

Front 3

Explain how novel properties of life emerge from complex organization.

Back 3

Novel properties emerge at each step, properties that are not present at the preceding level. These emergent properties are due to the arrangement and interactions of parts as complexity increases.

Front 4

Describe the dilemma of reductionism.

Back 4

We cannot fully explain a higher level of order by breaking down its parts. For example: Disrupting a living system interferes with its functioning.

Front 5

Describe the two major dynamic processes of any ecosystem.

Back 5

1. Cycling of Nutrients
2. One-Way Flow Energy (from sunlight to producers to consumers)

Front 6

Name two characteristics shared by all cells.

Back 6

Every cell is (1) enclosed by a membrane that regulates the passage of materials between the cell and its surrounding. And every cell uses (2) DNA as its genetic information.

Front 7

Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Back 7

Prokaryotic- much simpler and smaller than eukaryotic cells. The DNA is not separated from the cytoplasm in a nucleus. There are no membrane-enclosed organelles in the cytoplasm.
Eukaryotic- Subdivided by internal membranes into various membrane-enclosed organelles. The largest organelle is the nucleus, which contains the cell's DNA as chromosomes.

Front 8

Describe the basic structure and function of DNA.

Back 8

DNA is the genetic material of all cells. It is genetic information that is passed from parent to offspring. The structure of DNA is double helix.

Front 9

Discuss the goals and activities of systems biology. List the three research developments that have advanced systems biology.

Back 9

-It is necessary to inventory as many parts of the system as possible, such as all the known genes and proteins in a cell.
-It is necessary to investigate how each part behaves in relation to others in the working system.
-It is possible to pool all the data into the kind of system network.
1. High-throughput
2. Bioinformatics
3. Formation of Interdisciplinary Research Teams

Front 10

Explain the importance of regulatory mechanisms in living things. Distinguish between positive and negative feedback.

Back 10

In feedback regulation, the output, or product, of a process regulates that very process. Most common is negative feedback which slows down the process. the positive feedback is when the end product speeds up production.

Front 11

Distinguish among the three domains of life.

Back 11

1. Domain Archaea- Prokaryotic
2. Domain Bacteria- Prokaryotic
3. Domain Eukarya- Eukaryotic

Front 12

Explain the phrase: "life's dual nature of unity and diversity". Explain how evolution accounts for the unity and diversity of living things.

Back 12

-All living things share common properties.
-The process of evolution explains both the similarities and differences among living things.
Example: the universal genetic language of DNA is common to organisms as different as bacteria and animals.

Front 13

Describe the observations and inferences that led to Charles Darwin to his theory of evolution by natural selection.

Back 13

Observations:
-Individuals in a population of any species vary in many heritable traits.
-A population can potentially produce far more offspring that the environment can support; competition.
-Species are generally suited to their environments.

Inferences:
-Individuals with inherited traits that are best suited to the local environment will produce more healthy, fertile offspring than less fit individuals.
-Over many generations, heritable traits that enhance survival and reproductive success will tend to increase in frequency among a populations individuals.
-Evolution occurs as the unequal reproductive successes of individuals adapt the populations to its environments.