Biology 211 Exam 1 - Iowa State
University Q&A 100% Pass
What are the 5 fundamental traits of life? With these traits in mind, are viruses
alive? What evidence supports your conclusion? - ✔✔-Energy Use and
Metabolism
-Cell Theory
-Information, Genetics
-Replication or reproduction
-Biological Evolution
-No, viruses are not alive because they do not have cells.
How do hypotheses and theories differ? What do scientists mean by "theory"
and does this mean the same thing as "in theory" that non-scientists may say in
conversation? Explain. - ✔✔A hypothesis is a constructed idea before any
applicable research has been done. A theory is an idea supported by evidence.
When scientists say theory, they mean something that is true and supported by
evidence. When it is used in everyday conversations, it is simply an idea that
hasn't been proven, aka a hypothesis.
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,Write the Cell Theory in your own words. Did the Cell Theory challenge or
support the concept of spontaneous generation? Explain. - ✔✔Cell Theory: All
cells come from pre-existing cells.
The Cell Theory challenged Spontaneous Generation and tested against it
through the Pasteur Flask Experiments.
Outline Pasteur's swan-necked flask experiment. What was the one variable
that differed between the test and experimental groups? Why is it important to
test one variable at a time? - ✔✔Pasteur was comparing the ideas of
spontaneous generation and cell theory against each other. To do this, he first
set up an experiment where he had a straight neck flask filled with broth. He
boiled all of the bacteria out of the broth and left it to sit. After a couple of days,
there were bacterial cells. He then took a straight necked flask and bent it into a
swan necked flask. He then performed the same experiment, boiling broth in
both flasks and leaving them. After a couple of weeks, the straight necked flask
had bacterial cells in it again, but the swan neck did not. Instead, the cells
clumped inside the bend in the neck.
It's important to test one variable at a time so that the experiment isn't
overwhelmed and you can keep track of each variable that you're testing.
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, What were the 2 claims made by Wallace and Darwin as they described the
process of evolution? - ✔✔All species are related by common ancestry and
characteristics of species can be modified from generation to generation
because of natural selection.
What are the 2 conditions required for natural selection to occur? Would a trait
that increases the lifespan of each individual in the population but decreases
overall fertility lead to greater or lesser fitness of the affected individuals? -
✔✔Individuals must vary in characteristics that are heritable and in a certain
environment, certain versions of these traits can help individuals reproduce
more than other versions.
A trait that increases lifespans but decreases overall fertility would lead to
lesser fitness in the affected individuals.
What is the smallest unit that can evolve? Do individuals evolve? - ✔✔A
population is the smallest unit that can evolve. Individuals do not evolve.
If you continuously bred large-pod peas to other large-pod peas, would you
expect the average pod size to get smaller or larger? Why? What is this process
called? - ✔✔You would expect the average pod size to get larger because it is a
desirable heritable trait due to natural selection.
Page 3 of 23
COPYRIGHT©PROFFKERRYMARTIN 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025. COMPANY REGISTRATION
NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY STATEMENT.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
University Q&A 100% Pass
What are the 5 fundamental traits of life? With these traits in mind, are viruses
alive? What evidence supports your conclusion? - ✔✔-Energy Use and
Metabolism
-Cell Theory
-Information, Genetics
-Replication or reproduction
-Biological Evolution
-No, viruses are not alive because they do not have cells.
How do hypotheses and theories differ? What do scientists mean by "theory"
and does this mean the same thing as "in theory" that non-scientists may say in
conversation? Explain. - ✔✔A hypothesis is a constructed idea before any
applicable research has been done. A theory is an idea supported by evidence.
When scientists say theory, they mean something that is true and supported by
evidence. When it is used in everyday conversations, it is simply an idea that
hasn't been proven, aka a hypothesis.
Page 1 of 23
COPYRIGHT©PROFFKERRYMARTIN 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025. COMPANY REGISTRATION
NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY STATEMENT.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
,Write the Cell Theory in your own words. Did the Cell Theory challenge or
support the concept of spontaneous generation? Explain. - ✔✔Cell Theory: All
cells come from pre-existing cells.
The Cell Theory challenged Spontaneous Generation and tested against it
through the Pasteur Flask Experiments.
Outline Pasteur's swan-necked flask experiment. What was the one variable
that differed between the test and experimental groups? Why is it important to
test one variable at a time? - ✔✔Pasteur was comparing the ideas of
spontaneous generation and cell theory against each other. To do this, he first
set up an experiment where he had a straight neck flask filled with broth. He
boiled all of the bacteria out of the broth and left it to sit. After a couple of days,
there were bacterial cells. He then took a straight necked flask and bent it into a
swan necked flask. He then performed the same experiment, boiling broth in
both flasks and leaving them. After a couple of weeks, the straight necked flask
had bacterial cells in it again, but the swan neck did not. Instead, the cells
clumped inside the bend in the neck.
It's important to test one variable at a time so that the experiment isn't
overwhelmed and you can keep track of each variable that you're testing.
Page 2 of 23
COPYRIGHT©PROFFKERRYMARTIN 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025. COMPANY REGISTRATION
NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY STATEMENT.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, What were the 2 claims made by Wallace and Darwin as they described the
process of evolution? - ✔✔All species are related by common ancestry and
characteristics of species can be modified from generation to generation
because of natural selection.
What are the 2 conditions required for natural selection to occur? Would a trait
that increases the lifespan of each individual in the population but decreases
overall fertility lead to greater or lesser fitness of the affected individuals? -
✔✔Individuals must vary in characteristics that are heritable and in a certain
environment, certain versions of these traits can help individuals reproduce
more than other versions.
A trait that increases lifespans but decreases overall fertility would lead to
lesser fitness in the affected individuals.
What is the smallest unit that can evolve? Do individuals evolve? - ✔✔A
population is the smallest unit that can evolve. Individuals do not evolve.
If you continuously bred large-pod peas to other large-pod peas, would you
expect the average pod size to get smaller or larger? Why? What is this process
called? - ✔✔You would expect the average pod size to get larger because it is a
desirable heritable trait due to natural selection.
Page 3 of 23
COPYRIGHT©PROFFKERRYMARTIN 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025. COMPANY REGISTRATION
NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY STATEMENT.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
