Chapter 1 Summary
Key Takeaways
Biology is the science of life. All living organisms share several key properties: order, response to stimuli, reproduction, adaptation, growth and development, regulation, and energy processing. Living things are highly organized, following a hierarchy that includes atoms, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. Organisms, in turn, are grouped as populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere.
- Biology is relevant to daily life: Scientists work to understand and solve global challenges such as climate change, disease prevention, and food security. Biology is critical when addressing issues like disease outbreaks, genetic engineering, environmental protection, and medical advancements that are regularly making headlines.
- Scientific Inquiry and Logical Thinking: Science aims to expand knowledge using curiosity-driven inquiry. Two key reasoning methods are inductive reasoning, which draws general conclusions from observations (e.g., Jane Goodall’s chimpanzee studies), and deductive reasoning, which tests hypotheses based on general principles (e.g., predicting species distribution changes due to climate change).
- Basic vs. Applied Science: Basic science seeks to expand knowledge without immediate practical applications, while applied science uses scientific knowledge to solve real-world problems. Both are interconnected—discoveries from basic research (e.g., DNA structure) enable applied innovations (e.g., genetic testing and treatments).
- The Scientific Method and Experimentation: Science follows a structured process that includes forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and analyzing results. A hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable, and experiments should control variables to ensure reliable conclusions. The peer-review process ensures the credibility of scientific findings.
- Defining Life and Its Characteristics: Biology is the science of life. Living organisms share essential traits: order, response to stimuli, reproduction, adaptation, growth and development, regulation, and energy processing. These characteristics distinguish living things from non-living entities like viruses, which exhibit some but not all properties of life.
- Biological Organization and Ecosystems: Life is structured in a hierarchical organization. Atoms form molecules, which make up cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. Organisms exist within populations, communities, and ecosystems, all of which contribute to the biosphere—Earth’s interconnected life systems.
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT. [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
Prompt: Summarize the following content into six key takeaways.
Flashcards
Click on the flashcards to review key terms discussed in this chapter.
Text Description
Front of card:
- Biology
- Science
- Scientific theory
- Inductive reasoning
- Deductive reasoning
- Descriptive science
- Hypothesis-based science
- Basic science
- Applied Science
- Two methods of logical thinking used in science
- Jane Goodall’s work with chimpanzees is a classic example of _____.
- Two types of science
- Scientists studying how bacteria defend themselves is an example of _____ science.
- Scientists using CRISPR-Cas9 to develop treatments for genetic disorders is an example of _____ science.
- Scientific method
- Who was the first to use the scientific method?
- What are the typical steps involved in the scientific method?
- Hypothesis
- Variable
- Define dependent and independent variables
- What are the dependent and independent variables in the study testing the effectiveness of different types of masks (mentioned in 1.2)?
- Confounding variable
- Two groups involved in experiments
- List the properties of life
- Order
- Response to stimuli
- Reproduction
- Adaption
- Growth and development
- Regulation
- Energy processing
- List the 12 levels of organization from smallest to largest
- Atom
- Molecule
- Organelles
- Cells
- Tissues
- Organs
- Organ systems
- Organisms
- Populations
- Communities
- Ecosystem
- Biosphere
Back of card:
- The study of living organisms and their interactions with one another and their environments
- Systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation to gain knowledge and understanding
- A thoroughly tested and confirmed explanation for observations or phenomena
- A form of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion
- A form of logical thinking that uses a general principle or law to forecast specific results
- A form of scientific study that aims to observe, explore, and discover
- A form of scientific study that begins with a specific explanation that is then tested
- Seeks to expand knowledge and understanding without immediate practical applications
- Uses scientific knowledge to solve practical, real-world problems
- Inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning
- Descriptive science
- Basic science and applied science
- Basic
- Applied
- A method of research with defined steps that include experiments and careful observation
- Sir Francis Bacon
- Observation, Question, Hypothesis, Prediction, Experiment, Results, Report
- A suggested explanation for an event
- Any part of an experiment that can vary or change during the experiment
- Independent variable: variable that is changed in an experiment to test its effects on the dependent variable (i.e., what the researcher manipulates). Dependent variable: variable that is measured or observed in response to changes in the independent variable (i.e., what the researcher measures).
- Independent variable: The type of mask used (e.g., no mask, single-layer bandana, homemade two-layer cotton mask, 3-ply surgical mask). Dependent variable: The distance and dispersion of droplets expelled from the mannequin’s mouth during simulated coughs and sneezes.
- Variable that is not held constant that could affect the experimental results
- Control group: does not receive the treatment being tested (i.e., not treated with independent variable); the purpose is to serve as a baseline to compare the effects of the experimental treatment. Experimental group: receives the treatment being tested (i.e., independent variable is changed); the purpose is to determine the effect of the variable being tested by comparing its results to those of the control group.
- Order, Response to stimuli, Reproduction, Adaptation, Growth and Development, Regulation, Energy Processing
- Organisms are highly organized structures that consist of one or more cells. Order is one of the properties of life.
- Organisms respond to diverse stimuli in their surroundings, such as moving toward light or away from chemicals. Response to stimuli is one of the properties of life.
- Organisms can form new individuals and pass their DNA to their offspring. Reproduction is one of the properties of life.
- All organisms exhibit a “fit” to their environment due to evolution by natural selection. These adaptations increase the chances of organisms surviving to reproduce. Adaptation is one of the properties of life.
- Organisms have genes that provide instructions to direct cellular growth and development. Growth and development are one of the properties of life.
- Organisms are able to maintain internal conditions despite environmental changes. Regulation is one of the properties of life.
- All organisms use a source of energy for their metabolic activities. Energy processing is one of the properties of life.
- Atoms, Molecules, Organelles, Cells, Tissues, Organs, Organ Systems, Organisms, Populations, Communities, Ecosystems, Biosphere
- The smallest unit of matter
- Two or more atoms held together by a chemical bond
- Small structures within cells that perform specialized functions
- The smallest unit of life. Displays all of the properties of life.
- Group of similar cells carrying out the same function
- Group of tissues that work together to complete a specific function
- Group of organs that work together to complete a specific function
- Individual living entity
- Group of interacting individuals of one species in an area
- All organisms inhabiting a particular area
- All living things in a particular area and abiotic parts of that environment
- Collection of all ecosystems on Earth
