BIOLOGY 121 EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Define Biology - ANS The study of life.
Life is characterized by what properties? - ANS Emergent properties aka reflect hierarchy of
structural organization
What is the lowest level of biological organization - ANS Atoms
Know order of structural levels from atom to ecosystem - ANS Atoms-Molecules-Organelles-
Cells-Tissue-Organs-Organ Systems-Organisms-Populations-Community-Ecosystem
Know the basic definition of each (e.g. what is an ecosystem?) - ANS An Ecosystem is where
living interacts with the non-living in an environment
1|P a g e C o p y r i g h t © 2 0 2 5 T H E B R I G H T A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D
, What is the function shared by all living organisms? - ANS 1. Uptake and processing of
nutrients. 2. Excretion of wastes. 3. Response to environmental stimuli. 4. Reproduction among
others
Know the contribution of Hooke and Leewenhoek - ANS Hooke was the first to observe and
name cells. Leewenhoek discovered singled celled organisms
Be able to identify 3 major points of cell theory - ANS All living things consists of cells, all cells
come from new cells, new cells produced by division of other cells
Know basic differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells. - ANS Prokaryotic have no
internal membranes, organelles, or nucleus, but eukaryotic does.
Be familiar with DNA molecule and genome - ANS DNA molecule is a double helix and are
biological instructions; a genome are the entire library of genetic information
What are the sources of energy for an ecosystem? - ANS Life
2|P a g e C o p y r i g h t © 2 0 2 5 T H E B R I G H T A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D
, Be able to recognize a positive feedback and a negative feedback system - ANS Negative
Feedback- slows/stops processes (body temp)
Positive Feedback- speeds up processes (wound healing)
Know definitions of evolution and taxonomy. - ANS Evolution is the key to biological
diversity. Taxonomy names and classifies species into hierarchical order
3 Domains -- 4 Kingdoms (3 Multi cellular) - ANS 3 Domains- bacteria, arachae, & eukarya.
4 Kingdoms- animalia, plantae fungi (Multicellular) & Protista
What was the major contribution of Darwin? - ANS His origin of species
What did it help explain? - ANS Natural selection and evolution
Know basic information about scientific method -- stages/steps - ANS Form a hypothesis,
Test the hypothesis, Analyze data, Form conclusion, Communicate whether the hypothesis is
falsifiable or not
3|P a g e C o p y r i g h t © 2 0 2 5 T H E B R I G H T A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D
2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Define Biology - ANS The study of life.
Life is characterized by what properties? - ANS Emergent properties aka reflect hierarchy of
structural organization
What is the lowest level of biological organization - ANS Atoms
Know order of structural levels from atom to ecosystem - ANS Atoms-Molecules-Organelles-
Cells-Tissue-Organs-Organ Systems-Organisms-Populations-Community-Ecosystem
Know the basic definition of each (e.g. what is an ecosystem?) - ANS An Ecosystem is where
living interacts with the non-living in an environment
1|P a g e C o p y r i g h t © 2 0 2 5 T H E B R I G H T A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D
, What is the function shared by all living organisms? - ANS 1. Uptake and processing of
nutrients. 2. Excretion of wastes. 3. Response to environmental stimuli. 4. Reproduction among
others
Know the contribution of Hooke and Leewenhoek - ANS Hooke was the first to observe and
name cells. Leewenhoek discovered singled celled organisms
Be able to identify 3 major points of cell theory - ANS All living things consists of cells, all cells
come from new cells, new cells produced by division of other cells
Know basic differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells. - ANS Prokaryotic have no
internal membranes, organelles, or nucleus, but eukaryotic does.
Be familiar with DNA molecule and genome - ANS DNA molecule is a double helix and are
biological instructions; a genome are the entire library of genetic information
What are the sources of energy for an ecosystem? - ANS Life
2|P a g e C o p y r i g h t © 2 0 2 5 T H E B R I G H T A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D
, Be able to recognize a positive feedback and a negative feedback system - ANS Negative
Feedback- slows/stops processes (body temp)
Positive Feedback- speeds up processes (wound healing)
Know definitions of evolution and taxonomy. - ANS Evolution is the key to biological
diversity. Taxonomy names and classifies species into hierarchical order
3 Domains -- 4 Kingdoms (3 Multi cellular) - ANS 3 Domains- bacteria, arachae, & eukarya.
4 Kingdoms- animalia, plantae fungi (Multicellular) & Protista
What was the major contribution of Darwin? - ANS His origin of species
What did it help explain? - ANS Natural selection and evolution
Know basic information about scientific method -- stages/steps - ANS Form a hypothesis,
Test the hypothesis, Analyze data, Form conclusion, Communicate whether the hypothesis is
falsifiable or not
3|P a g e C o p y r i g h t © 2 0 2 5 T H E B R I G H T A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D
