1. Briefly describe the unifying themes that characterize the biological sciences.
New properties emerge at each level in the biological Hierarchy
Organisms interact with other organisms and the physical environment
Life requires energy transfer and transformation Structure, and function are correlated at all levels of biological organization
Cell is an organism’s basic unit of structure and function
The continuity of life is based on heritable information in the form of DNA
Feedback mechanisms regulate biological systems
Evolution: the overarching Theme of Biology
2. Diagram the hierarchy of structural levels in biological organization
Biosphere
Ecosystem
Community
Population
Organisms
Organ systems
Organ
Tissue
Cell
Organelle
Molecule
Atom
3. Explain how the properties of life emerge from complex organization
New properties emerge because of interactions among components at the lower levels
4. Explain the importance of regulatory mechanisms in living things. Distinguish between positive and negative feedback
Without regulation, the body system becomes malfunctioned and chaotic.
Positive feedback has the accumulating end product stimulating production of that product.
Negative feedback has the accumulating end product slowing down production of that product.
5. Distinguish among the three domains of life. List and distinguish among the 3 kingdoms of multicellular, eukaryotic life
Bacteria – most diverse and widespread of prokaryotes
Archaea – prokaryotes that live in Earth’s extreme environments
Eukarya – multicellular organisms
K. Plantae – consist of terrestrial multicellular eukaryotes that carry out photosynthesis
K. Fungi - organisms that decompose for nutrition
K. Animalia – multicellular eukaryotes that ingest other organisms
6. Describe the observations and inferences that lead Charles Darwin to his theory of evolution by natural selection
Darwin had noticed many