Biology Mid-Term Prep: Evolution, Natural Selection, and Scientific Reasoning

1. What are the 2 main points of evolution?

3.) Creationism.

1.) Intelligent Design.

1.) Decent with modification. (Modern species arose from a series of ancestors) 2.) Natural Selection.

2.) Lamarckism.

Evolution is a well-supported scientific theory that explains the process through which species change over time. The main points of evolution include 'decent with modification' and 'natural selection' as key mechanisms driving the process.

Explanation

Evolution is a well-supported scientific theory that explains the process through which species change over time. The main points of evolution include 'decent with modification' and 'natural selection' as key mechanisms driving the process.

2. What are the 3 observations that led to Darwin's idea of natural selection?

3.) Environmental changes have no impact on species survival.

1.) All species remained unchanged over time.

2.) Offspring inherit exactly half of their parents' traits.

Darwin's idea of natural selection was based on the observations that individual traits are inherited and can be passed on, that more offspring are produced than can survive, and that species adapt to their environments. The incorrect answers provided do not align with the key observations that led to the development of the theory of natural selection.

Explanation

Darwin's idea of natural selection was based on the observations that individual traits are inherited and can be passed on, that more offspring are produced than can survive, and that species adapt to their environments. The incorrect answers provided do not align with the key observations that led to the development of the theory of natural selection.

3. Define Inductive Reasoning.

Using observations to make generalizations.

Making decisions based on superstitions.

Inferring conclusions based on deductive reasoning.

Using emotions to form conclusions.

Inductive reasoning involves using specific observations to make broader generalizations about the world. It is different from deductive reasoning, which involves arriving at a specific conclusion based on general principles or premises.

Explanation

Inductive reasoning involves using specific observations to make broader generalizations about the world. It is different from deductive reasoning, which involves arriving at a specific conclusion based on general principles or premises.

4. Define Deductive Reasoning.

Making decisions based on emotions.

Drawing conclusions from general principles.

Guessing randomly without any reasoning.

Relying solely on personal beliefs.

Use premis to make predictions.

Deductive reasoning involves using logical premises or existing knowledge to reach a specific conclusion or prediction.

Explanation

Deductive reasoning involves using logical premises or existing knowledge to reach a specific conclusion or prediction.

5. What is a controlled experiment?

- Investigaes variable of interst - Cancels out other variables. - Doesn't hold other veriables constant.

Manipulates results to fit a desired outcome

Allows all variables to change randomly

Focuses on only one variable while ignoring others

A controlled experiment involves investigating a specific variable of interest while cancelling out other variables to observe the true effect. It does not allow other variables to change randomly, focus on only one variable, or manipulate results for a desired outcome.

Explanation

A controlled experiment involves investigating a specific variable of interest while cancelling out other variables to observe the true effect. It does not allow other variables to change randomly, focus on only one variable, or manipulate results for a desired outcome.

6. Name 7 properties of life.

Communication

Immortality

Self-destruction

- Order Structure - Response to evironment - Growth + development - Energy processing - Regulation - Reporduction - Adaptions

The correct properties of life are essential for organisms to survive and thrive. Communication, self-destruction, and immortality are not universally recognized properties of life.

Explanation

The correct properties of life are essential for organisms to survive and thrive. Communication, self-destruction, and immortality are not universally recognized properties of life.

7. Define emergent properties.

New properties that arise as life moves forward.

Properties that disappear as life progresses.

Properties that are predetermined and never change.

Properties that have always been present in a system.

Emergent properties are characteristics that emerge as a result of interactions within a complex system, often not predictable from the characteristics of the individual components.

Explanation

Emergent properties are characteristics that emerge as a result of interactions within a complex system, often not predictable from the characteristics of the individual components.

8. Define reductionism.

The act of amplifying the complexities of a system.

The process of making something bigger than it really is.

Reducing complex systems to simpler parts.

The idea of keeping things as complicated as possible.

Reductionism involves breaking down complex systems into simpler components to understand them better, rather than making them more complex.

Explanation

Reductionism involves breaking down complex systems into simpler components to understand them better, rather than making them more complex.

9. What is a disadvantage of reductionism?

The process of reductionism is too complex to understand.

If a whole is broken into parts it may not function properly or at all.

Reductionism simplifies complex systems.

Reductionism always leads to accurate results.

Reductionism can lead to oversimplification and a loss of functionality when a whole system is broken down into individual parts.

Explanation

Reductionism can lead to oversimplification and a loss of functionality when a whole system is broken down into individual parts.

10. Define Systems Biology.

Studies behavior of whole systems based on interaction of parts.

Studies individual components of biological systems.

Analyzes the behavior of isolated cells within a system.

Focuses on studying only the genetic aspects of biological systems.

11. What are the 10 levels of biological organization?

Rocks: Inanimate objects composed of minerals.

Atoms: Basic unit of matter.

Planets: Celestial bodies orbiting a star.

The incorrect answers provided do not accurately represent the levels of biological organization. Atoms, planets, and rocks are not among the recognized levels of biological organization.

Explanation

The incorrect answers provided do not accurately represent the levels of biological organization. Atoms, planets, and rocks are not among the recognized levels of biological organization.