Chapter 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

Name Period

Chapter 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

Begin your study of biology this year by reading Chapter 1 in your text. It will serve as a reminder
about biological concepts that you may have learned in an earlier course and give you an overview of
what you will study this year.

In the overview in your text, Figure 1.3 recalls many of the properties of life. Label the seven
properties illustrated in the following figure, and give a different example of each.

are built by cells

maintain homeostasis

grow and change

response to enviorment pass traits to offspring

complex chemistry

reproduction

Concept 1.1 The themes of this book make connections across different areas of biology

2. What are emergent properties? Give two examples.

the way complex systems and patterns arise out of a multiplicity of relatively simple interaction
ex. Cell-tissue-organ-organ system-animal, Macromolecule-cell-tissue-organ and organ system-organism-population
community and ecosystems-biosphere
 Chapter 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

3. Life is organized on many scales. Figure 1.4 in your text zooms you in from viewing Earth from
space all the way to the level of molecules. As you study this figure, write in a brief definition
of each level.

biosphere Consists of all life on Earth and all the places where life exists

ecosystem Is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment

community The array of organisms inhabiting a particular ecosystem

population Consists of all the individual of a species living within the bounds of a specified area

organism An individual living thing

Organs are body parts that carry out a particular function in the body. Organ systems-each team
organs/organ systems
of organs that cooperate in larger functions
tissues Group of cells that work together performing a specialized function

cells An organism’s basic unit of structure and function

organelles The various functional components present in cells

molecules A chemical structure consisting of two or more units called atoms

4. Our study of biology will be organized around recurring themes. Make a list here of the themes that
are presented, and give an example that illustrates each theme. Watch for these themes throughout
your study this entire year. This will help you see the big picture and organize your thinking. (Go to
the Summary of Key Concepts that begins on page 25 of your text for a concise look at the themes.)

Theme I : Example
Theme 2: o
Theme 3:
Theme 4:

Theme 5:

Theme 6:

Theme Z• (Find it in 1.2.)

Theme1:New properties Emerge at successive Levels of Biological Organization

Biosphere>ecosystem>community>population>organism>organ
system>organ>tissue>cell>organelle>molecule>atom Theme2: Life’s processes Involve the Expression and
Transmission of Genetic Information Biotechnology has allowed the development of genetically modified
plants. Theme3: Life Requires the Transfer and Transformation of Energy and Matter CO2 + H2O ---
(sunlight) ---> O2 + C6H12O6 (a.k.a photosynthesis) Theme4: Organisms Interact with Other Organisms and
the Physical Environment Aerodynamics of a bird's wing permits flight. Core theme: Evolution Widespread
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use of antibiotics has selected for antibiotic resistance in disease-causing bacteria.
 Chapter l: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

5. As you read this section, you will be reminded of things you may have studied in an earlier
course. Since this material will be presented in detail in future chapters, you will come back to
these ideas, so don't fret some of the concepts presented are unfamiliar. However, to guide
if

your study, define all of the terms in bold as you come to them.
are organisms whose cells are organized into complex structures by internal membranes and a
eukaryotic cell cytoskeleton
are organisms without a cell nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelles
prokaryotic cell

DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms.

genes A stretch of DNA arranged along the chromosomes-the units of inheritance

genome The genetic instructions that an organism inherits

negative feedback/positive feedback

Concept 1.2 The Core Theme: Evolution accounts for the unity and diversity of life

6. Lifeis organized into groups. Study •e

Figure 1.14 in your text.

Ursus americanus
• Which level contains the greatest
(American black bear)
diversity of organisms? domain
Ursus

• Which level contains the least Ursidae ea.

diversity of organisms? species
Carnivora

' Write out the levels of organiza-

Mammalia
tion in order.
O
Chordata
• Most people use a mnemonic
device to remember these levels.
Animalia
If you have one, write it here. A MOCcasin
o
Eukarya

7. Taxonomy is the branch of biology

that names and classifies organisms.
Because of new molecular information, there have been many changes in placement of certain
groups in recent years. Notice that all life is now organized in your text into three domains
rather than the five kingdoms you may have learned earlier. List the kingdoms mentioned in
the text in the space next to the proper domain names shown here.

o Bacteria They are classified in multiple kingdoms

Archaea Include multiple kingdoms

Eukarya Kingdom Plantae, Kingdom Animalia , Kingdom Fungi and Protists

 Chapter 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

8. What two main points were articulated in Darwin's The Origin of Species?
The species have arisen from a succession of ancestors that differed from them His proposal that “ natural selection’
is a mechanism for descent with modification ion
9. What did Darwin propose as the mechanism of evolution? Summarize this mechanism.
Natural Selection: A process in which individuals that have certain inherited traits tend to survive and reproduce at
higher rates than other individuals because of those traits.
10. Study Figure 1.22 in your text, which shows an evolutionary "tree. " What is indicated by each
twig? What do the branch points represent? Where did the "common ancestor" of the Galåpa-
gos finches originate?

Green warbler finch, Certhidea olivacea

COMMON Gray warbler finch, Certhidea fusca

ANCESTOR
Sharp-beaked ground finch, Geospiza diffici/is

Vegetarian finch, P/atyspiza crassirostris

Mangrove finch, Cactospiza he/iobates

Woodpecker finch, Cactospiza pallida

Medium tree finch, Camarhynchus pauper

Large tree finch, Camarhynchus psittacu/a

Small tree finch, Camarhynchus parvu/us

Large cactus ground finch, Geospiza conirostris

tD Cactus ground finch, Geospiza scandens

Small ground finch, Geospiza fuliginosa

Medium ground finch, Geospiza fortis

Large ground finch, Geospiza magnirostris

Each twig represents one species. Each branch point represents the common ancestor of the evolutionary lineages originating there
and their descendants. The common ancestor of the Galapagos fincher originated on the South American Mainland. O
Concept 1.3 In studying nature, scientists make observations and then form and test hypotheses
11. What are the two main types of scientific inquiry? Give an example of each.
Making an observation: Detailed observation of cell structure. Forming and testing hypothesis: Inside the cell there areo
organelles which have a specified function.
12. What is data?
Data are items of information on which scientific inquiry is based.
13.
Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative data. Which type would be presented in a data O
chart and could be graphed? Which type is found in the field sketches made by Jane Goodall?
Quantitative data are generally recorded as measurements and can be organized into a chart or graph Qualitative data are
often recorded in form of descriptions such as the field sketches made by Jane Goodall.

14. In science, how do we define hypothesis?

In science a hypothesis is a tentative answer to a well framed question based on the available data and guided by inductive
reasoning.

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 Chapter 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

15. A scientific hypothesis has two important qualities. The first is that it is testable. What is

the second?
The second is that it is falsifiable.
16. Are scientific hypotheses proved? Explain your answer!
We can never prove that a hypothesis is true. No amount of experimental testing can prove a hypothesis beyond a
shadow of doubt because it is impossible to test all alternative hypotheses
17. Look at Figure 1.24 in your book. Use it to write a hypothesis using the "If . . then .. format.
IF the flashlight batteries are replaced and the bulb still does not turn on, THEN the bulb is burnt out
18. What is a controlled experiment?
A controlled experiment is one that is designed to compare an experimental group with a control group.
19. The text points out a common
misconception about the term controlled experiment. In the
snake mimicry experiment, what factors were held constant?
A common misconception is that the term “controlled experiment” means that scientists control the experimental
environment to keep everything constant except the one variable being tested.
20. Why are supernatural explanations outside the bounds of science?
Because science requires natural explanations for natural phenomena
21. Explain what is meant by a scientific theory by giving the three ways your text separates a
theory from a hypothesis or mere speculation.

a. Theory is much broader than a hypothesis

b.
A theory is general enough to lead into many hypotheses
c.
Theories are supported by mere evidence

Test Your Understanding Answers

O
Now you should be ready to test your knowledge. Place your answers here:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8. 9. 10.