HSCO 506 EXAM 1 COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
GUIDE 2026
◉ which axis is the dependent variable found on a graph. Answer: y-
axis
◉ theory of evolution. Answer: set of hypotheses that provide a
powerful explanation for both biological observations & the
diversity of life
◉ why do we learn that the theory of evolution is the single most
important theory in all of biology?. Answer: there's lots of evidence
from asking/testing good scientific questions
(ex. anatomy, fossil record, biogeography, molecular biology)
◉ 7 ways living organisms are different from non-living organisms.
Answer: 1. organization - complex organization
2. response - ability to change in response to the environment
3. reproduction - ability to reproduce
4. evolution - capacity to evolve
5. metabolism - chemical rxns that sustain life
6. homeostasis - maintenance of stable internal environment
7. growth - regulated growth/cell division
,◉ 1st law of thermodynamics. Answer: energy can neither be
created nor destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form
into another
◉ how does the 1st law of thermodynamics apply to living
organisms?. Answer: - living organisms transform energy from
sunlight --> chemical energy
- cells convert energy by expending it & giving off heat as a by
product
◉ 2nd law of thermodynamics. Answer: the amount of entropy in
the universe is constantly increasing
◉ entropy. Answer: amount of disorder in a system
◉ disorder. Answer: # of states that a system can take on
◉ how does temperature affect entropy?. Answer: higher temp -->
molecules move faster --> more entropy
◉ how does the 2nd law of thermodynamics apply to living
organisms?. Answer: - living organisms are highly organized (takes a
lot of energy to maintain organization)
, - cell is highly organized
- cells give off energy as heat --> movement of molecules in
surrounding environment increases --> entropy of entire system
increases
◉ does a dog or bucket of water have more entropy?. Answer:
bucket of water - less organized, more disorder
◉ how did the scientific method demonstrate that living organisms
come from other living organisms?. Answer: belief of spontaneous
generation --> refuted by Redi's experiment (maggots appearing on
rotting meat) & Pasteur's experiment (microbes in sterilized broth)
◉ covalent bond. Answer: chemical bond resulting from atoms
sharing a pair of electrons
- strongest bond
(ex. H2, methane, ammonia, water)
◉ nonpolar covalent bond. Answer: a covalent bond in which the
electrons are shared equally by the two atoms
(ex. hydrogen gas (H2))
◉ polar covalent bond. Answer: a covalent bond in which electrons
are not shared equally
GUIDE 2026
◉ which axis is the dependent variable found on a graph. Answer: y-
axis
◉ theory of evolution. Answer: set of hypotheses that provide a
powerful explanation for both biological observations & the
diversity of life
◉ why do we learn that the theory of evolution is the single most
important theory in all of biology?. Answer: there's lots of evidence
from asking/testing good scientific questions
(ex. anatomy, fossil record, biogeography, molecular biology)
◉ 7 ways living organisms are different from non-living organisms.
Answer: 1. organization - complex organization
2. response - ability to change in response to the environment
3. reproduction - ability to reproduce
4. evolution - capacity to evolve
5. metabolism - chemical rxns that sustain life
6. homeostasis - maintenance of stable internal environment
7. growth - regulated growth/cell division
,◉ 1st law of thermodynamics. Answer: energy can neither be
created nor destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form
into another
◉ how does the 1st law of thermodynamics apply to living
organisms?. Answer: - living organisms transform energy from
sunlight --> chemical energy
- cells convert energy by expending it & giving off heat as a by
product
◉ 2nd law of thermodynamics. Answer: the amount of entropy in
the universe is constantly increasing
◉ entropy. Answer: amount of disorder in a system
◉ disorder. Answer: # of states that a system can take on
◉ how does temperature affect entropy?. Answer: higher temp -->
molecules move faster --> more entropy
◉ how does the 2nd law of thermodynamics apply to living
organisms?. Answer: - living organisms are highly organized (takes a
lot of energy to maintain organization)
, - cell is highly organized
- cells give off energy as heat --> movement of molecules in
surrounding environment increases --> entropy of entire system
increases
◉ does a dog or bucket of water have more entropy?. Answer:
bucket of water - less organized, more disorder
◉ how did the scientific method demonstrate that living organisms
come from other living organisms?. Answer: belief of spontaneous
generation --> refuted by Redi's experiment (maggots appearing on
rotting meat) & Pasteur's experiment (microbes in sterilized broth)
◉ covalent bond. Answer: chemical bond resulting from atoms
sharing a pair of electrons
- strongest bond
(ex. H2, methane, ammonia, water)
◉ nonpolar covalent bond. Answer: a covalent bond in which the
electrons are shared equally by the two atoms
(ex. hydrogen gas (H2))
◉ polar covalent bond. Answer: a covalent bond in which electrons
are not shared equally
