Name: ________________________________ Date: ____________ Period: ______
Guided Reading: Characteristics of Life
Biology: Exploring Life, Chapter 1
Directions: Read chapter 1 in your text book. While reading, answer the questions below. You
may need to think about what you read and put your own ideas down as your paper. Not all
answers will be right from the book. HAND IN WHEN FINISHED! IF YOU DON’T
FINISH, IT IS HOMEWORK!!! You may use a separate sheet of paper if needed.
1. What is the definition of the “biosphere”? What is included in the “biosphere”?
2. In the picture of NYC, what does the red represent?
3. Give 2 examples of different ecosystems.
4. Is a city considered an “ecosystem”? Why or why not?
5. Look at Figure 1-3. What does “LM” stand for under photo a? (page 111 might help!)
6. What are genes? How are they related to DNA?
7. What does it mean to be “rich in species diversity”?
8. What has more species: mammals or insects? How many species of each are there?
9. Explain two different ways that you could classify this set of organisms: duck, shark,
crab, whale, butterfly, bat, lion, sea turtle, alligator, zebra, sparrow, and bear.
10. What is the main difference between organisms in the domains Bacteria and Archaea
with Eukarya?
11. Which domain do humans belong in?
12. What parts of your body would be used when performing a task on the computer?
13. Describe how a sports team could be considered a “system”?
14. Finish the sentence: All living things are made of ______________.
15. Choose two objects that were not described in the text and explain how their “form fits
function”.
16. What does the term “like begets like” refer to? Explain it.
17. How do organisms get traits from both parents?
18. Explain photosynthesis?
19. Give an example of an “input” and an “output” you give to your environment.
20. Why are producers called “producers”?
21. Are you a producer or a consumer?
22. Is a Venus fly trap a producer or a consumer?
23. How does energy enter an ecosystem?
24. You read that a Mantid’s camouflage is an adaptation. How does its camouflage also
represent the “form fits function” theme?
25. Describe the process of natural selection and how it relates to evolution.