AP Biology: Chapter 1 Review

Give two examples of questions that you cannot answer using the scientific method. Explain your reasoning for choosing each example.

"Am I more beautiful than my sister?" - Question of taste. "Is it immoral to conduct tests on animals?" - Question of ethics.

Describe each of the five characteristics of life, and list several nonliving things that possess at least two of these characteristics.

(1) Life is organized, following a hierarchical pattern from atoms to the biosphere. (2) Organisms acquire and use energy to build cells, repair damage, and reproduce. (3) Organisms maintain homeostasis, so the interiors of cells and living organisms remain within a constant range even if environmental conditions change. (4) Organisms reproduce, meaning they produce offspring that grow and develop into adult forms that can also reproduce. (5) Life evolves, which means that the genetic makeup of every population changes from generation to generation. A house is structurally organized and maintains a constant range of temperature; automobiles are organized and require energy; crystal formations are organized and grow; viruses are organized and evolve.

Design an experiment to test the following hypothesis: "Eating chocolate ills zits." Include sample size, independent variable, dependent variable, the most important variables to standardize, and an experimental control.

1. Dividing the population into two groups, one receives chocolate. 2. Before, during, and after, record data of zits. Sample size: Hundreds of people. Independent variable: Presence or absence of chocolate. Dependent variable: Amount of zits. Standardized variables: Diet, age group, history of skin problems. Control group: Not consume chocolate.

Think of an analogy that will help you remember the differences between populations, communities, and ecosystems.

A puzzle is one of many types of toys in a child's room; all objects in a child's room are analogous to an ecosystem.

How are the members of the three domains similar? How are they different?

All three domains are made of at least one cell and contain DNA. Domains Bacteria and Archaea both consist of prokaryotes and typically unicellular. Domain Eukarya consists of organisms with eukaryotic cells, which have a nucleus.

Other than the brownie example given in the text, name an example of emergent properties from everyday life

Bricks and mortar coming together to make a house; a large tub of water creating a swimming pool.

What are the elements of a controlled experiment?

Control group, experimental group, independent and dependent variables, and standardized variables.

How does a home's air conditioning system illustrate homeostasis?

If temperature is too hot, the air conditioner turns on; if temperature is too cold, the air conditioner is off, allowing the temperature to rise.

Describe the main differences between asexual and sexual reproduction. Why are both types of reproduction common?

In asexual reproduction, all the genetic information comes from one parent, so the offspring are almost identical. In sexual reproduction, genetic information comes from two parents, creating variation. Asexual reproduction may be faster and does not require finding a mate; it is typically adaptive in habitats that are unchanging. Sexual reproduction generates much more variation, which promotes reproductive success in a changing environment.

Why is a cell, and not an atom or a molecule, considered the basic unit of life?

It is the first level of organization that displays all of the characteristics of life.

Explain how an atom relates to the biosphere by describing the levels of life's organization.

Multiple atoms make up a molecule, and molecules from structures (including organelles) inside cells. Cells form tissues, which work together in organs. Many organs make up an organ system inside an organism. Multiple organisms make up a population, and many populations together form a community. An ecosystem incorporates communities plus the nonliving parts of the environment, and the biosphere includes all of Earth's ecosystems.

What is the relationship between natural selection and evolution?

Natural selection is one of several mechanisms of evolution. Adaptations occur through evolution to better survive changing environments.

List each step of the scientific method and explain why it is important.

Observation - Question how a phenomenon works. Hypothesis - Tentative explanation and testable statement that should help answer the question. Prediction - Etiher proves or disproves the hypothesis. Experiment - Collect data, provides information to test the hypothesis. Analysis - Leads to conclusion. Peer review - Gives credibility before published.

Give an example of each of the five properties of life.

Organization: The brain sending signals to the body. Energy: A human extracting energy from a consumed hamburger. Homeostasis: Maintaining body temperature. Reproduction and development: A fish lays eggs and they develop into babies. Evolution: Deer grow thicker and stronger antlers over time to fight against increasing predators in the area.

Draw and explain the relationship between produces and consumers (including decomposers).

Producers extract energy and nutrients from the nonliving environment; consumers obtain energy and nutrients by eating other organisms; decomposers are consumers that obtain nutrients from dead organisms and organic wastes.

Because plants extract nutrients from soil and use sunlight as an energy source, they are considered to be a. autotrophs b. consumers c. heterotrophs d. decomposers

a. autotrophs

What is the correct way to write the scientific name for humans? a. Homo sapiens b. Homo sapiens (both italicized) c. Homo Sapiens (both italicized) d. homo sapiens

b. Homo sapiens (both italicized)

A scientist has just observed a new phenomenon and wonders how it happens. What is the next step in his or her discovery of the answer? a. Observe b. Hypothesis c. Experiment d. Peer review

b. Hypothesis

In an experiment to test the effect of temperature on the rate of bacterial reproduction, temperature would be the a. standardized variable b. independent variable c. dependent variable d. control variable

b. independent variable

Which two levels are farthest apart on the hierarchy of biological organization? a. Organism and population b. Ecosystem and biosphere c. Atom and cell d. Tissue and organ

c. Atom and cell

Can a theory be proven wrong? a. No, theories are exactly the same as facts b. No, because there is no good way to test a theory c. Yes, a new observation could disprove a theory d. Yes, theories are exactly the same as hypotheses

c. Yes, a new observation could disprove a theory

Which of the following is the basic unit of life? a. Atom b. Molecule c. Organelle d. Cell

d. Cell

Which of the following statements is false? a. Emergent properties are functions that arise from the interactions between an organism's parts. b. Two of the three domains contain prokaryotic organisms. c. In a double-blind experiment, neither the researcher nor the subjects know which subject is assigned to which treatment. d. For a scientific study to be considered valid, the researches must conduct experiments.

d. For a scientific study to be considered valid, the researchers must conduct experiments.

All of the following are characteristics of life EXCEPT a. evolution b. reproduction c. homeostasis d. multicellularity

d. multicellularity

Evolution through natural selection will occur most rapidly for populations of plants that a. are already well adapted to the environment b. live in an unchanging environment c. are in the same genus d. reproduce sexually and live in an unstable environment

d. reproduce sexually and live in an unstable environment