Chapter 1

All the organisms on your campus make up a. an ecosystem. b. a community. c. a population. d. the biosphere.

Which of these is not a property of all living organisms? a. capable of reproduction b. uses energy c. composed of multiple cells d. responds to the environment

Which of the following statements best distinguishes hypotheses from theories in science? a. Theories are hypotheses that have been proven. b. Hypotheses usually are narrow in scope; theories have broad explanatory power. c. Hypotheses are tentative guesses; theories are correct answers to questions about nature. d. Hypotheses and theories are different terms for essentially the same thing in science.

Which of the following best demonstrates the unity among all living organisms? a. structure correlated with function b. DNA and a common genetic code c. emergent properties d. natural selection

A controlled experiment is one that a. proceeds slowly enough that a scientist can make careful records of the results. b. keeps all variables constant. c. is repeated many times to make sure the results are accurate. d. tests experimental and control groups in parallel.

Which of the following is a true statement of observational data? a. It is always qualitative, not quantitative. b. It is used to form hypotheses, but not to test them. c. It can include comparisons of fossils as well as DNA sequences. d. It is the type of data used for the independent variable in a controlled experiment.

A biologist studying interactions among the bacteria in an ecosystem could not be working at which level in life's hierarchy? (Choose carefully and explain your answer.) a. the population level b. the molecular level c. the organism level d. the organ level

Which of the following best describes the logic of scientific inquiry? a. If I generate a testable hypothesis, my experiments will support it. b. If my prediction is correct, it will lead to a testable hypothesis. c. If my observations are accurate, they will support my hypothesis. d. If my hypothesis is correct, I can expect certain test results.

In an ecosystem, how is the flow of energy similar to that of matter, and how is it different?

Explain the role of heritable variations in Darwin's theory of natural selection.

Describe the process of scientific inquiry and explain why it is not a rigid method.

Contrast technology with science. Give an example of each to illustrate the difference.

Explain what is meant by this statement: Natural selection is an editing mechanism rather than a creative process.

The fruits of wild species of tomato are tiny compared with the giant beefsteak tomatoes available today. This difference in fruit size is almost entirely due to the larger number of cells in the domesticated fruits. Plant biologists have recently discovered genes that are responsible for controlling cell division in tomatoes. Why would such a discovery be important to producers of other kinds of fruits and vegetables? To the study of human development and disease? To our basic understanding of biology?

The news media and popular magazines frequently report stories that are connected to biology. In the next 24 hours, record the ones you hear or read about in three different sources and briefly describe the biological connections in each story.