AP Biology: Chapter 1 Study Guide
“Introduction: Evolution and the Foundations of Biology”
Name:__________________________________ Class:____________________ Date:_____________
Directions: Read each of the following questions and/or commands and answer them respectively,
selecting the word or groups of words that completes each statement or answers each question for the
multiple-choice (selected response) items and writing and/or drawing sufficient information to satisfy
the open-ended response items. Please answer all of the items on separate sheets of paper. You must
answer all of the items and return them by this Friday.
Concept 1.1 Check
1. For each biological level of organization in Figure 1.4 (See slide notes.), write a sentence that
includes components from the previous (lower) level of biological organization. For example,
one sentence could be worded in the following way: “A community consists of populations of
the various species inhabiting a certain area.”
2. Identify the theme or themes exemplified by (a) the sharp spines of a porcupine, (b) the cloning
of a plant from a single cell, and (c) a hummingbird using sugar to power its flight. (Hint: The
themes are listed on the slides that labeled with the word Theme followed by a colon and the
specific theme the respective slide is addressing. Also, the images I showed you in the first few
slides on Monday illustrate several biological themes.)
3. For each theme discussed in this section (1.1), give an example not mentioned in the slides.
Concept 1.2 Check
4. How is a mailing address analogous to biology's hierarchical classification system? (i.e.,
domain, kingdom, phylum, etc.)
5. Explain why “editing” is an appropriate metaphor for how natural selection acts on a
population's heritable variation. (Remember: The term editing in English refers to the
reviewing and amending of a paper to check for and remove errors.)
6. Recent evidence indicates that fungi and animals are more closely related to each other than
either of these kingdoms is to plants. Draw a simple branching pattern that symbolizes the
proposed relationship between these three kingdoms of multicellular eukaryotes.
Concept 1.3 Check
7. Contrast inductive reasoning with deductive reasoning.
8. What variable was tested in the experiment with the coral and king snakes?
9. Why is natural selection called a theory rather than a hypothesis?
10. How does science differ from technology?
Mixed Concept Review
11. All the organisms on your campus make up ___.
a. an ecosystem
b. a community
c. a population
d. an experimental group
12. Which of the following best demonstrates the unity among all organisms?
a. identical DNA sequences
c. the structure and function of DNA
b. descent with modification
d. natural selection
a.
b.
c.
d.
13. A controlled experiment is one that ___.
proceeds slowly enough that a scientist can make careful records of the results.
tests experimental and control groups in parallel
is repeated many times to make sure the results are accurate
keeps all variables constant
a.
b.
c.
d.
14. Which of the following statements best distinguishes hypotheses from theories in science?
Theories are hypotheses that have been proved.
Hypotheses are guesses; theories are correct answers.
Hypotheses usually are relatively narrow in scope; theories have broad explanatory power.
Hypotheses and theories are essentially the same thing.
a.
b.
c.
d.
15. Which of the following is an example of qualitative data?
The temperature decreased from 20ºC to 15ºC.
The plant's height is 25 centimeters (cm).
The fish swam in a zigzag motion.
The six pairs of robins hatched an average of three chicks.
a.
b.
c.
d.
16. Which of the following best describes the logic of scientific inquiry?
If I generate a testable hypothesis, tests and observations will support it.
If my prediction is correct, it will lead to a testable hypothesis.
If my observations are accurate, they will support my hypothesis.
If my hypothesis is correct, I can expect certain test results.
17. With rough sketches, draw a biological hierarchy similar to the one in Figure 1.4 but using a
coral reef as the ecosystem, a fish as the organism, its stomach as the organ, and DNA as the
molecule. Include all levels in this hierarchy.
18. Based on the results of the experiment with the coral and king snakes, propose a hypothesis to
extend the investigation. In other words, formulate an additional hypothesis that is related to
the study and that can be tested.
19. Describe Darwin's view of natural selection and how it resulted in both unity and diversity of
life on earth. Include in your discussion some of his evidence.
20. A typical prokaryotic cell has about 3,000 genes in its DNA, while a human cell has about
20,500 genes. About 1,000 of these genes are present in both types of cells. (a) Based on your
understanding of evolution, explain how such different organisms could have this same subset
of genes. (b) What sorts of functions might these shared genes have? Justify your choices.