Integrated Biology: Organisms To Ecosystems (BIO 80) -
IVC Exam 1-3 | Complete A+ Guides_All in 1pdf 2026-2027.
Bio 80 Exam 1 Study Guide
Define evolution
What are the prerequisites of natural selection
Know the hardy equilibrium theorem
Lectures 1-8
In this document you’ll find important topics in each that you should focus on when studying for
the exam. The exam will be mostly focused on lecture material. Key terms are not listed here
but are in bold in each lecture.
LECTURE 1-2: Intro to Course & Biology
Focal topics
- What is biology?
Biology is the SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF LIFE
- What is science?
Science is the BODY OF KNOWLEDGE AND A PROCESS
- The steps in the scientific method and why each is important
1. Observation
2. Questions
3. Hypothesis and Predictions
4. Experimentation
5. Analysis and Communication
- The cyclical nature of the scientific method
The process is repeated multiple times from step 5 back to step 1
- The principle of parsimony
(Occam’s Razor) when there are multiple explanations for a phenomenon, the simplest one
with the fewest assumptions is usually preferred
Ex. if a tree branch is broken, its more parsiomnious to explain it by a strong wind instead of
alines
- Be able to describe the 6 major attributes of life: energy processing, regulation, response to
environmental, growth and development, order, and evolutionary adaptation.
1. Energy processing: food provides nutrient molecules, which are used as building blocks
or energy sources
2. Regulation: Homeostasis, temperature, nutrient level, etc.
3. Response to environment: ability to sense, respond, etc.
4. Growth and development: Life only comes from life, DNA transmits from generation to
generation
5. Order: (cells to tissues, tissues to organs, etc.), taxomony
6. Evolutionary adaptation: adaptations are modifications that make organisms suited to
their way of life
- The 5 major themes of biology
, 1. Organization
2. Information
3. Energy and Matter
4. Interactions
5. Diversity
- The basics of taxonomy, including how to correctly write a species binomial
1. Domain (Bacteria, Archea, Eukarya)
2. Kingdom (Archea, Bacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia)
3. Phylum
4. Class
5. Order
6. Family
7. Genus
8. Species
(DO KEEP POND CLEAN OR FISH GET SICK)
Binomial nomenclature: used for each of earth’s species in science (genus +
species) EX. Canis lupus OR Canis lupus
LECTURE 3: Principles of Evolution, CH22
Focal topics
- The Darwinian revolution challenged traditional views of a young earth inhabited by
unchanging species
- The chain of events that influenced Darwin to publish his work, “On the Origin of
Species,” including work by Aristotle, Hutton, Malthus, Lamarck, Cuvier, Lyell, and
Wallace as well as Darwin’s voyage on the MS Beagle
1. Aristotle proposed that species are organized into a sequence (humans on top)
2. Hutton proposed that earth’s geology could be explained by gradual mechanisms
3. Mathus explains that human growth is exponential, but resources are linear
(Principle of population)
4. Lamarck hypothesized that species evolve through use and disuse of body parts
(prinviple of evolution)
5. Cuvier is founding figure in paleontology
6. Lyell throughout of geologic processes are operating at same rate (Principle of
geology)
7. Wallace conceived idea of natural selection
8. Darwin writes essay on descent with modification (never used the word
evolution), and publishes The Origin of Species
9. Mendel publishes work on patterns of inheritance in pea plants
10.Chromosomes discovered
- Descent with modification by natural selection explains the adaptations of organisms and
the unity and diversity of life
- What is the theory of evolution?
, Provides a framework for understanding how diversity of life on Earth arose
- 6 observations and 3 inferences that led to the 3 main tenets of natural selection - Contrast
the prerequisites for natural selection vs. artificial selection
O1: Species tend to produce more offspring than necessary
O2: Despite large offspring numbers, adult populations stay consistent
O3: Natural resources are limited and limiting
O4: Individuals in a population vary
O5: Much of the variation is heritable
O6: Humans use artificial selection to get preferred traits
T1: Individuals with certain traits survive and produce more offspring
T2: Natural selection increases frequency of adaptations
T3: If environment changes, adaption to new conditions produce new species
- Evolution is supported by an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence, 4 main lines of
evidence:
1. Anatomical and molecular homologies: similarities resulting from common ancestry
(vestigial structures, shared genes from common ancestor)
a. Convergent evolution: the evolution of similar analogous features in different
groups (analogous traits arise when groups independently adapt to similar
environments in similar ways)
2. Fossil record: (extinct anthropods)
3. Biogeography: (fish seperated by ocean)
4. Experimental evidence/direct observations: (certain bacteria affecting a percentage
amount of people, peppered moths)
Selected questions/exercises from book
- Concept checks: 22.1, 22.2, 22.3
22.1: How did Hutton’s and Lyell’s ideas influence Darwin’s thinking about evolution?
- Test your understanding: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9
LECTURE 4: Evolution at the Population Level, CH23
Focal topics
Terminology:
Gene: Unit of heredity
Allele: Form of a gene
Genotype: The combination of alleles
Homozygote: Possessing two of the same allele
Heterozygote: Possessing different alleles
Dominance: One allele masking the other in the heterozygous condition
Phenotype: An organism’s appearance; observable traits or characteristics of an
organism
- Describe how genetic variation arises and explain why it is a prerequisite for evolution
Genetic variation arises through new alleles. Without GV, there is no natural selection that
, can act on a genetic component, no evolution)
- Contrast micro and macroevolution
Micro = small changes in allele frequencies with a population (natural selection, sexual
selection, genetic drift, gene flow, mutation)
Macro = large changes leading to new species or groups
- Where do new alleles come from?
1. Mutations: change in nucleotide sequence of an organism’s DNA
a. None (neutral mutation)
b. Bad (deleterious) → sickle cell disease
c. Good (benificial: protein works better than before) –> bacteria immunity
- Compare and contrast sexual vs. asexual reproduction
1. Asexual (Reproduction without gamete fusion, based on mitosis, one parent, identical
offspring)
2. Sexual (Fusion of gametes, basied on meiosis, two parents, different offspring) can
increase genetic diversity in three ways
a. Crossing over: homologous chromosomes exchange reciprocal portions of
themselves (prophase 2)
b. Independent assortment: random distribution of homologous chromosomes
during meiosis (metaphase 1)
c. Random fertilization: ovaries and sperm cells have over 64 trillion possible
diploid combinations
- Understand how populations are pools of alleles
Species: a group of individuals that are capable, through reproduction, of sharing alleles
with one another
Population: a localized group of interbreeding individuals
Gene pool: all alleles of all individuals in a population
Allele frequencies: how common is that allele in the population
- Know the use of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
Useful model to determine if forces are acting on a population (measuring evolutionary
change)
- Understand the 5 conditions needed to meet Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium/the 5 ways that
evolution occurs
1. No mutations
2. Random mating
3. No natural selection
4. Extremely large population
5. No gene flow (migration)
- Know equation:
p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1 (genotype frequencies)
p + q = 1 (allele frequencies)
- Differentiate between how natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow affect allele
frequencies in a population
IVC Exam 1-3 | Complete A+ Guides_All in 1pdf 2026-2027.
Bio 80 Exam 1 Study Guide
Define evolution
What are the prerequisites of natural selection
Know the hardy equilibrium theorem
Lectures 1-8
In this document you’ll find important topics in each that you should focus on when studying for
the exam. The exam will be mostly focused on lecture material. Key terms are not listed here
but are in bold in each lecture.
LECTURE 1-2: Intro to Course & Biology
Focal topics
- What is biology?
Biology is the SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF LIFE
- What is science?
Science is the BODY OF KNOWLEDGE AND A PROCESS
- The steps in the scientific method and why each is important
1. Observation
2. Questions
3. Hypothesis and Predictions
4. Experimentation
5. Analysis and Communication
- The cyclical nature of the scientific method
The process is repeated multiple times from step 5 back to step 1
- The principle of parsimony
(Occam’s Razor) when there are multiple explanations for a phenomenon, the simplest one
with the fewest assumptions is usually preferred
Ex. if a tree branch is broken, its more parsiomnious to explain it by a strong wind instead of
alines
- Be able to describe the 6 major attributes of life: energy processing, regulation, response to
environmental, growth and development, order, and evolutionary adaptation.
1. Energy processing: food provides nutrient molecules, which are used as building blocks
or energy sources
2. Regulation: Homeostasis, temperature, nutrient level, etc.
3. Response to environment: ability to sense, respond, etc.
4. Growth and development: Life only comes from life, DNA transmits from generation to
generation
5. Order: (cells to tissues, tissues to organs, etc.), taxomony
6. Evolutionary adaptation: adaptations are modifications that make organisms suited to
their way of life
- The 5 major themes of biology
, 1. Organization
2. Information
3. Energy and Matter
4. Interactions
5. Diversity
- The basics of taxonomy, including how to correctly write a species binomial
1. Domain (Bacteria, Archea, Eukarya)
2. Kingdom (Archea, Bacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia)
3. Phylum
4. Class
5. Order
6. Family
7. Genus
8. Species
(DO KEEP POND CLEAN OR FISH GET SICK)
Binomial nomenclature: used for each of earth’s species in science (genus +
species) EX. Canis lupus OR Canis lupus
LECTURE 3: Principles of Evolution, CH22
Focal topics
- The Darwinian revolution challenged traditional views of a young earth inhabited by
unchanging species
- The chain of events that influenced Darwin to publish his work, “On the Origin of
Species,” including work by Aristotle, Hutton, Malthus, Lamarck, Cuvier, Lyell, and
Wallace as well as Darwin’s voyage on the MS Beagle
1. Aristotle proposed that species are organized into a sequence (humans on top)
2. Hutton proposed that earth’s geology could be explained by gradual mechanisms
3. Mathus explains that human growth is exponential, but resources are linear
(Principle of population)
4. Lamarck hypothesized that species evolve through use and disuse of body parts
(prinviple of evolution)
5. Cuvier is founding figure in paleontology
6. Lyell throughout of geologic processes are operating at same rate (Principle of
geology)
7. Wallace conceived idea of natural selection
8. Darwin writes essay on descent with modification (never used the word
evolution), and publishes The Origin of Species
9. Mendel publishes work on patterns of inheritance in pea plants
10.Chromosomes discovered
- Descent with modification by natural selection explains the adaptations of organisms and
the unity and diversity of life
- What is the theory of evolution?
, Provides a framework for understanding how diversity of life on Earth arose
- 6 observations and 3 inferences that led to the 3 main tenets of natural selection - Contrast
the prerequisites for natural selection vs. artificial selection
O1: Species tend to produce more offspring than necessary
O2: Despite large offspring numbers, adult populations stay consistent
O3: Natural resources are limited and limiting
O4: Individuals in a population vary
O5: Much of the variation is heritable
O6: Humans use artificial selection to get preferred traits
T1: Individuals with certain traits survive and produce more offspring
T2: Natural selection increases frequency of adaptations
T3: If environment changes, adaption to new conditions produce new species
- Evolution is supported by an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence, 4 main lines of
evidence:
1. Anatomical and molecular homologies: similarities resulting from common ancestry
(vestigial structures, shared genes from common ancestor)
a. Convergent evolution: the evolution of similar analogous features in different
groups (analogous traits arise when groups independently adapt to similar
environments in similar ways)
2. Fossil record: (extinct anthropods)
3. Biogeography: (fish seperated by ocean)
4. Experimental evidence/direct observations: (certain bacteria affecting a percentage
amount of people, peppered moths)
Selected questions/exercises from book
- Concept checks: 22.1, 22.2, 22.3
22.1: How did Hutton’s and Lyell’s ideas influence Darwin’s thinking about evolution?
- Test your understanding: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9
LECTURE 4: Evolution at the Population Level, CH23
Focal topics
Terminology:
Gene: Unit of heredity
Allele: Form of a gene
Genotype: The combination of alleles
Homozygote: Possessing two of the same allele
Heterozygote: Possessing different alleles
Dominance: One allele masking the other in the heterozygous condition
Phenotype: An organism’s appearance; observable traits or characteristics of an
organism
- Describe how genetic variation arises and explain why it is a prerequisite for evolution
Genetic variation arises through new alleles. Without GV, there is no natural selection that
, can act on a genetic component, no evolution)
- Contrast micro and macroevolution
Micro = small changes in allele frequencies with a population (natural selection, sexual
selection, genetic drift, gene flow, mutation)
Macro = large changes leading to new species or groups
- Where do new alleles come from?
1. Mutations: change in nucleotide sequence of an organism’s DNA
a. None (neutral mutation)
b. Bad (deleterious) → sickle cell disease
c. Good (benificial: protein works better than before) –> bacteria immunity
- Compare and contrast sexual vs. asexual reproduction
1. Asexual (Reproduction without gamete fusion, based on mitosis, one parent, identical
offspring)
2. Sexual (Fusion of gametes, basied on meiosis, two parents, different offspring) can
increase genetic diversity in three ways
a. Crossing over: homologous chromosomes exchange reciprocal portions of
themselves (prophase 2)
b. Independent assortment: random distribution of homologous chromosomes
during meiosis (metaphase 1)
c. Random fertilization: ovaries and sperm cells have over 64 trillion possible
diploid combinations
- Understand how populations are pools of alleles
Species: a group of individuals that are capable, through reproduction, of sharing alleles
with one another
Population: a localized group of interbreeding individuals
Gene pool: all alleles of all individuals in a population
Allele frequencies: how common is that allele in the population
- Know the use of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
Useful model to determine if forces are acting on a population (measuring evolutionary
change)
- Understand the 5 conditions needed to meet Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium/the 5 ways that
evolution occurs
1. No mutations
2. Random mating
3. No natural selection
4. Extremely large population
5. No gene flow (migration)
- Know equation:
p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1 (genotype frequencies)
p + q = 1 (allele frequencies)
- Differentiate between how natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow affect allele
frequencies in a population
