BSC 1005 - EXAM 1 Complete Answers
What is Biology?
Biology is the scientific study of life and living organisms.
Are Viruses Considered Living Organisms by Scientists?
Viruses are not universally considered living by scientists because, despite containing DNA or RNA, they
lack some chara...
Biology is the scientific study of life and living organisms.
Are Viruses Considered Living Organisms by Scientists?
Viruses are not universally considered living by scientists because, despite containing DNA or RNA, they
lack some characteristics that define life.
What Are the Properties of Life?
1. Order: Living organisms exhibit a highly organized structure, consisting of one or more cells. Even
single-celled organisms show complex organization where atoms combine to form molecules, which
then constitute cell components or organelles.
2. Sensitivity/Response to Stimuli: Organisms react to various stimuli. For instance, plants may bend
towards light or react to physical touch.
3. Reproduction: Organisms have the ability to reproduce, passing on DNA containing genes to their
offspring.
4. Adaptation: Living organisms possess traits that enhance their fitness in their environments, allowing
them to survive and thrive. For example, certain insects have wings that mimic dead leaves, helping
them evade predators.
5. Growth and Development: Organisms grow and develop according to precise genetic instructions
encoded in their DNA.
6. Regulation: Organisms maintain internal stability through various processes such as nutrient transport
and responses to environmental stressors. For example, the digestive system distributes oxygen
throughout the body.
, 7. Homeostasis: Cells need certain conditions, such as appropriate temperature and pH, to function
properly. Organisms regulate their internal environment; for example, polar bears are adapted to
survive in cold climates.
8. Energy Processing: Living organisms harness energy for their metabolic activities, often capturing
sunlight and transforming it into chemical energy.
Definitions in Biology
- Organism: A living individual, such as a bird, insect, or human.
- Population: A group of individuals of the same species living together in a specific area at the same
time, such as all the humans in a classroom.
What is a Cell?
A cell is the smallest unit of life that can independently perform all necessary life functions, including
reproduction.
What Are Organelles?
Organelles are specialized structures within cells that carry out specific functions, consisting of
aggregates of macromolecules encased in membranes.
What is a Molecule?
A molecule is a group of atoms bonded together, such as a phospholipid, which includes a lipid with a
phosphate group.
What is an Atom?
An atom is the fundamental unit of matter, composed of a dense nucleus surrounded by a cloud of
negatively charged electrons.
What is a Community?
A community encompasses all the living organisms in a specific area at the same time, such as all the
plants, insects, and animals found in a garden. For instance, all the trees, flowers, and insects in a forest
create that forest's community.
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