BIOS 102 CH. 1/22

what are the 5 unifying themes of biology?

Answer explanation

evolution, genetic information, organization, energy/matter, and interactions

____ is a process of biological change in which species accumulate differences from their ancestors as they adapt to different environments over time (descent with modification)

define emergent properties

Answer explanation

characteristics something gains when it becomes part of a bigger system

What is the genetic material that encodes for all of the cells proteins

Explain the concept of evolution and its importance in biology.

Answer explanation

the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified. It is important because it demonstrates the diversity of life on earth and how organisms adapt to their environment over time.

How does the scientific process contribute to our understanding of biology?

Answer explanation

allowing for the recreation of experiments, testability of hypotheses, and the discovery of new findings.

What does it mean that organisms have a nearly universal genetic code?

Answer explanation

Though organisms have different genes and different proteins, all organisms use essentially the same genetic code in the process of transcribing and translating genes into proteins

descent with modification

inherited characteristics of organisms that enhance their survival and reproduction in specific environments

What is descent with modification by natural selection and how does it explain the adaptations of organisms and the unity and diversity of life?

Answer explanation

the process by which species evolve over time through the passing on of advantageous traits from one generation to the next. This process explains the adaptations of organisms to their environment and the unity and diversity of life.