AP Biology
Chapter 1 Guided Reading Assignment
Name _________________________
1. Explain the properties of life listed below:
a. Order-life is characterized by highly ordered structure
b. Evolutionary adaptation- adaptations evolve over many generations by the
reproductive success of fit individuals
c. Response to the environment- the reaction on organism has with the world
around it
d. Regulation- the use of mechanisms of homeostasis to moderate internal
changes in the face of external functions
e. Energy processing- living things use food to process energy in order to live.
Plants process energy by collecting sunlight.
f. Growth and development- inherited genes used a certain code that controls
growth and development organism.
g. Reproduction- all living things reproduce their own kind
2. List and define ALL ten levels of biological organization
1. biosphere- consist of all the environments on earth that are inhabited by life
2 ecosystem- consist of all living and non living things in a specific area
3 communities- entire array of organism inhabiting a particular ecosystem
4 populations- individual species living within the bounds of a specified area
5 organism- individual living things
6 organs+ organ system- body parts made up of 2 or more tissues
7 tissues- a group of similar cells
8 cells- smallest unit considered alive have different functions
9 organelles- various components have made up cells
10 molecule- consist of 2 or more atoms
3. Describe how energy flows through and ecosystem – can energy be recycled?
Energy enters as sunlight and is used by producers to make simple sugars
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consumers (animals) feed on producers or other consumers to obtain energy.
Energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, but the amount of usable
energy goes down. The energy flow is one-way; it cannot be recycled.
4. What is the relationship between genes, DNA, and cells as the basic unit of
structure and function in living organisms? All living things have cells with DNA.
DNA contains codes called genes which codes for all the structures that make up
the cells and determines which functions the cell should to perform in order to
assist the organism with life functions.
5. Compare and contrast eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
Both types of cells have a membrane and DNA.
Eukaryotic- has organelles, DNA in nucleus, large in size, complex
Prokaryotic- no organelles, DNA floats freely, small, less complex
6. Explain the concept of emergent properties and how they relate to “being alive”.
Emergent properties: properties that appear with each step the biological hierchy
that were not present at the level before.
7. In your own words, what is reductionism?
The process of reducing complex systems into simpler parts that are easier to
understand.
8. What is bioinformatics?
Extracting useful biological information from the enormous, ever expanding data
sets such as DNA sequences and list of proton interactions
9. What is feedback and how does it relate to property of life – regulation?
How many biological processes self regulate. It keeps the organism from over
producing or under producing and helps with daily function
10. By the end of the year you will be able to explain this in your sleep – define the
following terms and give an example of each – in your own words – relate the
example you choose and how it meets the criteria of your definition.
a. Positive feedback -end product is needed to speed up production is needed.
Speeds up production blood clotting: platelets release more of the chemical to
attract other platelets to help the clot the wound.
b. Negative feedback -the accumulation at the end product causes production to
slow. Ex. ATP: cells break down sugar and make ATP when there is too
much ATP, an enzyme is released to slow the making of the sugar.
11. Why is classification of living organisms necessary to understanding biology?
It allows for the grouping of similar species or organisms with similar
characteristics and give a clue about evolution and genetics
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12. What does the statement “there is unity in diversity” mean in terms of biology and
why is it said that “Evolution is the unifying theme of biology?”
“There is unity and diversity,” means that all living things have a unity such as the
common language of DNA. Evolution is the unifying theme of Bio” because all
living organisms evolved from a single celled descendent. Everything is distantly
related.
13. Based on your reading of the Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection – imagine you
are at the dinner table – explain the theory in your own words and give an
example that supports your statements. Species that are best adapted to the
environment live and reproduce.
14. Compare and contrast inductive and deductive reasoning.
They are both ways of finding an answer. Inductive reasoning is generalization
derived from a large number of specific observations like with discovery science.
Deductive reasoning is specific results are predicted from a general premise like
with hypothesis-based science.
15. What are the elements of a well designed controlled experiment? List and define
these terms.
Observation-prompts to the question
Question-asks what is happening
Hypothesis-an if- then statement that makes a prediction
Prediction-predicts the outcome of the experiment
Test-experiment that tests the hypothesis
Results- shows the outcome of the experiment
16. How is the term theory used in science?
Theory is a well accepted and substantiated explanation that explains all the
evidence.
17. Review Table 1 on page 27 – list each of these themes and explain each them
briefly in a sentence or phrase of your own.
Cell- basic unit of life
Heritable information- organisms pass down genetic information
Emergent Properties- new properties appear with each step
Regulation- supply and demand feed cycle
Interact with the environment- exchanging energy and materials
Energy and Life- organisms require energy
Unity and Diversity- all life is diverse and united by DNA
Evolution- species adapt; explains diversity
Structure and function- in all levels of biological organization
Scientific Inquiry- observation based testing
Science, Technology, Society- goal-orientation applications of science
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