,OpenStax Concepts of Biology Instructor Answer Guide
Concepts of Biology
Unit 1. The Cellular Foundation of Life
Chapter 1: Introduction to Biology
Art Connection Questions
1. Figure 1.8
Which of the following statements is false?
A. Tissues exist within organs which exist within organ systems.
B. Communities exist within populations which exist within ecosystems.
C. Organelles exist within cells which exist within tissues.
,OpenStax Concepts of Biology Instructor Answer Guide
D. Communities exist within ecosystems which exist in the biosphere.
Answer
B. Communities exist within populations which exist within ecosystems.
2. Figure 1.18
In the example below, the scientific method is used to solve an everyday problem. Which part in
the example below is the hypothesis? Which is the prediction? Based on the results of the
experiment, is the hypothesis supported? If it is not supported, propose some alternative
hypotheses.
1. My toaster doesn’t toast my bread.
2. Why doesn’t my toaster work?
3. There is something wrong with the electrical outlet.
4. If something is wrong with the outlet, my coffeemaker also won’t work when plugged into it.
5. I plug my coffeemaker into the outlet.
6. My coffeemaker works.
Answer
The hypothesis is #3 (there is something wrong with the electrical outlet), and the prediction is
#4 (if something is wrong with the outlet, then the coffeemaker also won’t work when plugged
into the outlet). The original hypothesis is not supported, as the coffee maker works when
plugged into the outlet. Alternative hypotheses may include (1) the toaster might be broken or (2)
the toaster wasn’t turned on
, OpenStax Concepts of Biology Instructor Answer Guide
Review Questions
3. The smallest unit of biological structure that meets the functional requirements of “living” is
the ________.
Answer
C. cell
4. Which of the following sequences represents the hierarchy of biological organization from the
most complex to the least complex level?
Answer
D. biosphere, ecosystem, community, population, organism
5. A suggested and testable explanation for an event is called a ________.
Answer
A. hypothesis
6. The type of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion is
called ________.
Answer
D. inductive reasoning
Critical Thinking Questions
7. Using examples, explain how biology can be studied from a microscopic approach to a global
approach.
Answer
Researchers can approach biology from the smallest to the largest, and everything in between.
For instance, an ecologist may study a population of individuals, the population’s community,
the community’s ecosystem, and the ecosystem’s part in the biosphere. When studying an
individual organism, a biologist could examine the cell and its organelles, the tissues that the
cells make up, the organs and their respective organ systems, and the sum total—the organism
itself.
8. Give an example of how applied science has had a direct effect on your daily life.
Answer
Answers will vary. One example of how applied science has had a direct effect on daily life is
the presence of vaccines. Vaccines to prevent diseases such polio, measles, tetanus, and even the
influenza affect daily life by contributing to individual and societal health.
Concepts of Biology
Unit 1. The Cellular Foundation of Life
Chapter 1: Introduction to Biology
Art Connection Questions
1. Figure 1.8
Which of the following statements is false?
A. Tissues exist within organs which exist within organ systems.
B. Communities exist within populations which exist within ecosystems.
C. Organelles exist within cells which exist within tissues.
,OpenStax Concepts of Biology Instructor Answer Guide
D. Communities exist within ecosystems which exist in the biosphere.
Answer
B. Communities exist within populations which exist within ecosystems.
2. Figure 1.18
In the example below, the scientific method is used to solve an everyday problem. Which part in
the example below is the hypothesis? Which is the prediction? Based on the results of the
experiment, is the hypothesis supported? If it is not supported, propose some alternative
hypotheses.
1. My toaster doesn’t toast my bread.
2. Why doesn’t my toaster work?
3. There is something wrong with the electrical outlet.
4. If something is wrong with the outlet, my coffeemaker also won’t work when plugged into it.
5. I plug my coffeemaker into the outlet.
6. My coffeemaker works.
Answer
The hypothesis is #3 (there is something wrong with the electrical outlet), and the prediction is
#4 (if something is wrong with the outlet, then the coffeemaker also won’t work when plugged
into the outlet). The original hypothesis is not supported, as the coffee maker works when
plugged into the outlet. Alternative hypotheses may include (1) the toaster might be broken or (2)
the toaster wasn’t turned on
, OpenStax Concepts of Biology Instructor Answer Guide
Review Questions
3. The smallest unit of biological structure that meets the functional requirements of “living” is
the ________.
Answer
C. cell
4. Which of the following sequences represents the hierarchy of biological organization from the
most complex to the least complex level?
Answer
D. biosphere, ecosystem, community, population, organism
5. A suggested and testable explanation for an event is called a ________.
Answer
A. hypothesis
6. The type of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion is
called ________.
Answer
D. inductive reasoning
Critical Thinking Questions
7. Using examples, explain how biology can be studied from a microscopic approach to a global
approach.
Answer
Researchers can approach biology from the smallest to the largest, and everything in between.
For instance, an ecologist may study a population of individuals, the population’s community,
the community’s ecosystem, and the ecosystem’s part in the biosphere. When studying an
individual organism, a biologist could examine the cell and its organelles, the tissues that the
cells make up, the organs and their respective organ systems, and the sum total—the organism
itself.
8. Give an example of how applied science has had a direct effect on your daily life.
Answer
Answers will vary. One example of how applied science has had a direct effect on daily life is
the presence of vaccines. Vaccines to prevent diseases such polio, measles, tetanus, and even the
influenza affect daily life by contributing to individual and societal health.
