BISC 101 LATEST 2025/2026 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.
Biology
the study of life
7 Characteristics of Life (Living things/organisms)
1. Living things contain nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.
2. Living things are composed of cells
3. Living things grow and reproduce
4. Living things use energy and raw materials
5. Living things respond to their environment.
6. Living things maintain homeostasis
7. Populations of living things evolve and have adaptive traits
Evolution
- Is the process by which modern organisms have descended from earlier and different
form of life
- Explains the diversity of life on Earth
- Provides an explanation for the similarities found among different types of organisms
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
When organisms reproduce, the offspring inherit characteristics of the parents. The instructions
for producing these characteristics are carried in the molecule ________, which is present in
,every cell and passed on to descendants. Specific segments of ______ called genes, are the basic
units of heredity.
Natural selection
The most important process by which evolution occurs is _______. It occurs because the
characteristics of the different individuals in a population vary, with some individuals possessing
traits that help them survive and reproduce more successfully than do others that lack those traits.
- Organisms that meet environmental challenges leave the most offspring
- _____ preserves genes that help organisms flourish
- E.g. Biston betularia vs Biston carbonaria
Three natural processes underlie evolution
1) genetic variation, 2) inheritance, and 3) natural selection
Mutations
Are the original source of differences in DNA
- Variations are due to the differences in genes, which are components (segments) of DNA and
the basic units of heredity
- ____________ occur when changes in genes are mistakenly copied
- __________ can also result from DNA damaged by UV rays from sunlight and toxic chemicals
from cigarette smoke
- Some _____ are inherited, occurring sperm or egg cells
Effects of mutations
,- neutral effect (e.g. roll the tongue)
- positive effect (Increase an organism's ability to survive and reproduce)
- negative effect (Decrease organisms ability to function (genetic diseases)
Adaptations
- Are structures, physiological processes, or behaviors that aid in survival and reproduction
- ____ that are good for one environment may be poor in another
- Species that cannot ______ to environmental change become extinct
Extinction
The complete elimination of a particular species
– The many different habitats (environments) in an area
coupled with evolutionary adaptive processes
produce species variety, or biodiversity
– Humans are responsible for accelerating the rate of
environmental change (and therefore, the rate of
___________ of species)
Darwin and Wallace
the two individuals who came up with the idea of natural selection/evolution in the mid-1800s
Biosphere
, Levels of biological organization - all life on Earth and the nonliving portions of Earth that
support life (Earth's surface)
Ecosystem
Levels of biological organization - A community together with its nonliving surroundings
(snake, antelope, rocks, stream, bushes)
Community
Levels of biological organization - Populations of different species that live in the same area
(snake, antelope, bushes, grass)
Species
Levels of biological organization - All organisms that are similar enough to interbreed (all
pronghorn antelope regardless of location)
Population
Levels of biological organization - All the members of a species living in the same area (herd of
pronghorn antelope at USC)
Multicellular organism
Levels of biological organization - An individual living thing composed of many cells
(pronghorn antelope)
Organ system
Levels of biological organization - two or more organs working together in the execution of a
specific bodily function (the digestive system)
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.
Biology
the study of life
7 Characteristics of Life (Living things/organisms)
1. Living things contain nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.
2. Living things are composed of cells
3. Living things grow and reproduce
4. Living things use energy and raw materials
5. Living things respond to their environment.
6. Living things maintain homeostasis
7. Populations of living things evolve and have adaptive traits
Evolution
- Is the process by which modern organisms have descended from earlier and different
form of life
- Explains the diversity of life on Earth
- Provides an explanation for the similarities found among different types of organisms
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
When organisms reproduce, the offspring inherit characteristics of the parents. The instructions
for producing these characteristics are carried in the molecule ________, which is present in
,every cell and passed on to descendants. Specific segments of ______ called genes, are the basic
units of heredity.
Natural selection
The most important process by which evolution occurs is _______. It occurs because the
characteristics of the different individuals in a population vary, with some individuals possessing
traits that help them survive and reproduce more successfully than do others that lack those traits.
- Organisms that meet environmental challenges leave the most offspring
- _____ preserves genes that help organisms flourish
- E.g. Biston betularia vs Biston carbonaria
Three natural processes underlie evolution
1) genetic variation, 2) inheritance, and 3) natural selection
Mutations
Are the original source of differences in DNA
- Variations are due to the differences in genes, which are components (segments) of DNA and
the basic units of heredity
- ____________ occur when changes in genes are mistakenly copied
- __________ can also result from DNA damaged by UV rays from sunlight and toxic chemicals
from cigarette smoke
- Some _____ are inherited, occurring sperm or egg cells
Effects of mutations
,- neutral effect (e.g. roll the tongue)
- positive effect (Increase an organism's ability to survive and reproduce)
- negative effect (Decrease organisms ability to function (genetic diseases)
Adaptations
- Are structures, physiological processes, or behaviors that aid in survival and reproduction
- ____ that are good for one environment may be poor in another
- Species that cannot ______ to environmental change become extinct
Extinction
The complete elimination of a particular species
– The many different habitats (environments) in an area
coupled with evolutionary adaptive processes
produce species variety, or biodiversity
– Humans are responsible for accelerating the rate of
environmental change (and therefore, the rate of
___________ of species)
Darwin and Wallace
the two individuals who came up with the idea of natural selection/evolution in the mid-1800s
Biosphere
, Levels of biological organization - all life on Earth and the nonliving portions of Earth that
support life (Earth's surface)
Ecosystem
Levels of biological organization - A community together with its nonliving surroundings
(snake, antelope, rocks, stream, bushes)
Community
Levels of biological organization - Populations of different species that live in the same area
(snake, antelope, bushes, grass)
Species
Levels of biological organization - All organisms that are similar enough to interbreed (all
pronghorn antelope regardless of location)
Population
Levels of biological organization - All the members of a species living in the same area (herd of
pronghorn antelope at USC)
Multicellular organism
Levels of biological organization - An individual living thing composed of many cells
(pronghorn antelope)
Organ system
Levels of biological organization - two or more organs working together in the execution of a
specific bodily function (the digestive system)
