1.

3 Assessment Questions
1. a. Review List the characteristics that define life.
Characteristics that define life are reproduction, growth and development, made of cells, has
DNA/universal genetic code, responds to stimuli, evolves over time, maintains homeostasis, and
requires materials and energy.

b. Applying Concepts Suppose you feel hungry, so you reach for a plum you see in a
fruit bowl. Explain how both external and internal stimuli are involved in your action.
Because you are hungry which is caused by internal stimuli, your body tells you that you need to
find food. You then reach for a plum in a fruit bowl because you are stimulated by your hunger.

2. a. Review What are the themes in biology that come up again and again?
Themes in biology that come up again and again are things such as the cellular basis of life,
matter and energy, homeostasis, growth, development, reproduction, information and heredity,
evolution, diversity of life, structure and function, and independence in nature. These themes are
all important in biology and are all connected, these themes come up again and again in biology.

b. Predict Suppose you discover a new organism. What would you expect to see if
you studied it under a microscope?
If I discovered a new organism I would expect to see cells moving and interacting under the
microscope, I would expect the organism to respond to stimuli and evolve if I kept monitoring it.

3. a. Review At what levels do biologists study life?

They study life from the level of molecules to the entire planet.

b. Classify A researcher studies why frogs are disappearing in the wild. What field
of biology does the research fall into?
This researcher studies Global Ecology.

4. a. Review Why do scientists use a common system of measurement?

Scientists use a common system of measurement because it is easier to understand when there
are two scientists communicating or collaborating instead of using several different systems of
measurements.

b. Relate Cause and Effect Suppose two scientists are trying to perform an
experiment that involves dangerous chemicals. How might their safety be affected by not
using a common measurement?
The two scientists' communication may get mixed up or they may translate on measurement
from the other wrong causing something to go wrong in the experiment. This would be
extremely dangerous in this situation since they are experimenting with dangerous chemicals.

5. In an experiment, you need 250 grams of potting soil for each of 10 plant samples.
How many kilograms of soil in total do you need?
2.5 kilograms of soil will be needed in total for the 10 plant samples.