Chapter 1 study guide
Definitions
Metabolism: All the chemical reactions that take place in an organism.
Homeostasis: Keeping internal conditions stable despite changes in the external
environment.
Emergent property: A property that appears at a certain level of organisation that is not
present at lower levels of organisation.
Prokaryotes: Organisms with cells that lack nuclei.
Eukaryotes: Organisms with cells that contain nuclei.
DNA: The material that carries genetic information.
Double helix: The shape of a DNA stand. Formed by two chains of nucleotides
joined at base pairs and twisted together.
Nucleotides: The basic building blocks (monomers) of DNA.
Gene: A strand of DNA that contains instructions for a single protein.
Chromosome: A large molecule containing a single strand of DNA and supporting
proteins.
Taxonomy: The scientific study of naming and classifying species into a system of
broader and broader groups.
Evolution: The gradual change in a population or species over many generations
due to natural selection.
Mutation: The creation of new genes due to errors in DNA replication.
Natural selection: The favouring of certain traits over others by the living and non-living
environment.
Theory: A well-tested explanation of how a system works, supported by a
large body of evidence.
Hypothesis: An idea that can be tested by experiments.
Prediction: A statement of what is expected to happen in an experiment.
Quantitative data: Numerical information
Qualitative data: Descriptive information
Control group: A group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment being
tested.
Experimental group: A group in an experiment that does receive the treatment being
tested.
Positive control: A test in an experiment that you know will come out positive if the
test works correctly.
Negative control: A test in an experiment that you know will come out negative if the
test works correctly.
Variable: Anything that can change in an experiment.
Independent variable: A variable that is not affected by other variables, but affects the
dependent variable. This is usually adjusted by the experimenter.
, Dependent variable: A variable that is affected by (dependent on) the independent
variable. This is usually measured by the experimenter for the results.
Controlled variables: All other variables that could affect the dependent variable.
Controlled variables are kept constant so that they do not affect the
results of an experiment.
Experiment: A carefully controlled test in which the effect of an independent
variable on a dependent variable is determined.
The 7 properties of living systems
1. Order: All living things are made up of organised parts.
2. Reproduction: All living things can produce more of their own species.
3. Growth & development: All living things grow and mature.
4. Energy processing: All living things need energy to fuel their metabolism.
5. Response to environment: All living things respond to external stimuli.
6. Regulation of internal environment: All living things keep their inside conditions
suitable for their metabolic reactions.
7. Evolutionary adaptation: All living species can evolve over many generations to
better suit their environment.
The 11 levels of organisation in biology
1. Biosphere: All life on earth.
2. Ecosystem: All the organisms in an area and the non-living environment.
3. Community: All the organisms in an area.
4. Population: All individuals of a species in an area.
5. Organism: A single individual living thing.
6. Organ system: A group of organs that work together to perform a specific function.
7. Organ: A structure made of different tissue types that performs a specific function.
8. Tissue: A group of similar cells that perform a specific function.
9. Cell: The basic unit of life.
10. Organelle: A membrane bound structure that performs a specific function within a
cell.
11. Molecule: A group of atoms held together by chemical bonds.
An emergent property is a property that appears at a certain level of organisation that is not
present at lower levels of organisation.
These properties emerge from the arrangement and interactions of the parts within a
system.
e.g.: The property of life emerges at the level of the cell. (This relates to the idea of cells as
the basic building blocks of life.)
Cell Theory: All living organisms are composed of cells.
Cells are the basic building blocks of life.
Definitions
Metabolism: All the chemical reactions that take place in an organism.
Homeostasis: Keeping internal conditions stable despite changes in the external
environment.
Emergent property: A property that appears at a certain level of organisation that is not
present at lower levels of organisation.
Prokaryotes: Organisms with cells that lack nuclei.
Eukaryotes: Organisms with cells that contain nuclei.
DNA: The material that carries genetic information.
Double helix: The shape of a DNA stand. Formed by two chains of nucleotides
joined at base pairs and twisted together.
Nucleotides: The basic building blocks (monomers) of DNA.
Gene: A strand of DNA that contains instructions for a single protein.
Chromosome: A large molecule containing a single strand of DNA and supporting
proteins.
Taxonomy: The scientific study of naming and classifying species into a system of
broader and broader groups.
Evolution: The gradual change in a population or species over many generations
due to natural selection.
Mutation: The creation of new genes due to errors in DNA replication.
Natural selection: The favouring of certain traits over others by the living and non-living
environment.
Theory: A well-tested explanation of how a system works, supported by a
large body of evidence.
Hypothesis: An idea that can be tested by experiments.
Prediction: A statement of what is expected to happen in an experiment.
Quantitative data: Numerical information
Qualitative data: Descriptive information
Control group: A group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment being
tested.
Experimental group: A group in an experiment that does receive the treatment being
tested.
Positive control: A test in an experiment that you know will come out positive if the
test works correctly.
Negative control: A test in an experiment that you know will come out negative if the
test works correctly.
Variable: Anything that can change in an experiment.
Independent variable: A variable that is not affected by other variables, but affects the
dependent variable. This is usually adjusted by the experimenter.
, Dependent variable: A variable that is affected by (dependent on) the independent
variable. This is usually measured by the experimenter for the results.
Controlled variables: All other variables that could affect the dependent variable.
Controlled variables are kept constant so that they do not affect the
results of an experiment.
Experiment: A carefully controlled test in which the effect of an independent
variable on a dependent variable is determined.
The 7 properties of living systems
1. Order: All living things are made up of organised parts.
2. Reproduction: All living things can produce more of their own species.
3. Growth & development: All living things grow and mature.
4. Energy processing: All living things need energy to fuel their metabolism.
5. Response to environment: All living things respond to external stimuli.
6. Regulation of internal environment: All living things keep their inside conditions
suitable for their metabolic reactions.
7. Evolutionary adaptation: All living species can evolve over many generations to
better suit their environment.
The 11 levels of organisation in biology
1. Biosphere: All life on earth.
2. Ecosystem: All the organisms in an area and the non-living environment.
3. Community: All the organisms in an area.
4. Population: All individuals of a species in an area.
5. Organism: A single individual living thing.
6. Organ system: A group of organs that work together to perform a specific function.
7. Organ: A structure made of different tissue types that performs a specific function.
8. Tissue: A group of similar cells that perform a specific function.
9. Cell: The basic unit of life.
10. Organelle: A membrane bound structure that performs a specific function within a
cell.
11. Molecule: A group of atoms held together by chemical bonds.
An emergent property is a property that appears at a certain level of organisation that is not
present at lower levels of organisation.
These properties emerge from the arrangement and interactions of the parts within a
system.
e.g.: The property of life emerges at the level of the cell. (This relates to the idea of cells as
the basic building blocks of life.)
Cell Theory: All living organisms are composed of cells.
Cells are the basic building blocks of life.
