What is Science?
Evidence-based way of knowing, not just facts
Uses observations + experiments to explain the natural world.
What are the limits of Science?
- Empirical (based on observation & data)
- Cannot answer moral or ethical questions
- Technology ≠ science
Technology applies scientific knowledge.
Define Scientific Literacy.
Ability to think scientifically
Important for evaluating real-world claims and data.
What are the core steps of the Scientific Method?
- Observation
- Question
- Hypothesis
- Experiment
- Data Analysis
- Conclusion
Hypotheses are never proven, only supported or rejected.
What is the independent variable in an experiment?
What is changed
It is contrasted with the dependent variable, which is measured.
What does statistical significance indicate?
Results unlikely due to chance
Larger sample sizes lead to more reliable results.
What is the Placebo effect?
Improvement due to belief, not treatment
It highlights the importance of controlled studies.
Define Pseudoscience
Scientific-sounding claims without reliable evidence
Relies on anecdotal observations instead of controlled studies.
What are the properties of life?
- Made of cells
- Reproduction & replication
- Growth and development
- Hereditary information (DNA)
- Evolution by natural selection
These properties define living organisms.
What is the basic unit of structure and function in biology?
Cell
Smallest unit capable of all life functions.
What are the characteristics of all cells?
- Plasma membrane
- DNA (store & transmit information)
- Ability to process energy
These characteristics are essential for cellular function.
Differentiate between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
- Prokaryotes: no membrane-bound organelles (Bacteria, Archaea)
- Eukaryotes: membrane-bound organelles (plants, animals, fungi)
This distinction is fundamental in biology.
What are emergent properties?
New properties arise from interactions of parts
Example: photosynthesis in chloroplasts.
What is the Central Dogma of molecular biology?
DNA → RNA → Protein
It describes the flow of genetic information.
What is a Genome?
Complete set of genes
Genomics is the study of genomes.
List the levels of biological organization.
- Biosphere
- Ecosystem
- Community
- Population
- Organism
- Organs & organ systems
- Tissues
- Cells
- Organelles
- Molecules
This hierarchy illustrates the complexity of life.
What are the Domains of Life?
- Bacteria (prokaryotic)
- Archaea (prokaryotic)
- Eukarya (eukaryotic: plants, animals, fungi, protists)
These domains categorize all living organisms.
Evolution with Darwins Definition
Observations: Heritable variations in individuals. Overproduction of offspring
Inferences: Individuals well-suited to the environment tend to leave more offspring. Over time, favorable traits accumulate in the population
It is a core principle of biology.
What is Natural Selection?
- Individuals vary in traits
- Traits affect survival & reproduction
- Favorable traits become more common
It is an editing process, not a creator.
What does descent with modification explain?
Unity and diversity of life
Supported by fossils and comparative anatomy.
Reductionism
Takes a complex systems break it
simpler components that are more
manageable to study
What is the central dogma?
Describes the one-way flow of genetic information: DNA to RNA to protein.
Artificial Selection
Humans intentionally breeding plants and animals to get a certain trait.
