Biology 101-Exam 1 Questions and Answers(A+ Solution guide)

Biophilia - The instinctive bond between humans and other living systems Science - a body of knowledge about the natural world and an evidence-based system for obtaining such knowledge Scientific Method - The core logic of how science works. Commonly visualized as a series of logical steps through which scientific inquiry is conducted, scientific phenomena are demonstrated, and scientific knowledge come to be established Scientific Hypothesis - Informed, logical and plausible explanation Experiments - Repeatable manipulations of one or more aspect of the natural world Variable - characteristic that is capable of changing Independent Variable - manipulated by investigator Dependable variable - responds or can potentially respond, to change in independent variable Controlled Experiment - Treatment/experimental group is exposed to systematic change in independent variable, control group is not Scientific Theory - Component of scientific knowledge that has been repeatedly confirmed in diverse ways and is provisionally accepted as the best available description of the truth Scientific Fact - direct and repeatable observation of any aspect of the natural worldProperties of Living Organisms - -Cellular Organization -Reproduction based on DNA -Metabolism -Sensing and responding to the external world -Homeostasis- constant internal environment -Evolution Cell - The smallest unit of life Plasma Membrane - fatty outermost layer of the cell Cytoplasm - cell contents inside of the plasma membrane;consists of a concentrated fluid with discrete structures(organelles) inside it DNA - molecule that serves as genetic material (transfers information from one generation to the next) Nucleus - membrane-bound structure that contains DNA in many but not all organisms Chromosome - one DNA molecule Asexual Reproduction - a single parent produces offspring identical to itself Sexual Reproduction - DNA-based information from two different individuals is combined to create the offspring Metabolism - the ability to capture energy from their environment, store it within the cells, and use it to grow, develop and reproduceProducers - make their own food by harnessing energy from their non-living environment, the ways plants use sunshine to make sugars via photosynthesis Autotrophs Consumers - obtain energy by eating other organisms Heterotrophs Homeostasis - The process of maintaining appropriate and constant conditions inside cells Evolution - change in the overall inherited characteristics of a population from one generation to the next Adaptation - better survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous genetic characteristics (those that match them to their environment) Hierarchical Levels - Biosphere-Ecosystem-Community-Population-Multicelled Organisms-Organ Systems-Organs-Tissues-Cell-Molecules-Atoms Molecules - Two or more atoms held together by strong chemical bonds Cells - Smallest unit of life, consists of plasma membrane enclosing cytoplasm and DNA Tissues - Many cells, of the same or different type, that together perform a unique but fairly narrow set of tasks Organs - Two or more types of tissues that form a discrete structure with a distinct sape, specialized to conduct major body functions