General Biology

1. What are the different properties of life?

 Order - Organisms are multicellular formations that are highly ordered and
coordinated. Even single-celled creatures are astonishingly complex: atoms inside
each cell form molecules, which in turn form cell organelles and other cellular
inclusions.
Similar cells create tissues in multicellular creatures (Figure 1). Tissues, in turn, work
together to form organs (body structures with a distinct function). Organ systems are
made up of organs that operate together.
 Evolutionary adaptation - All living species have a "fit" with their surroundings.
This fit is referred to as adaptation by biologists, and it is the result of evolution
by natural selection, which occurs in every lineage of reproducing creatures. From
heat-resistant Archaea that survive in boiling hot springs to a nectar-feeding
moth's tongue length that matches the size of the flower it feeds on, examples of
adaptations are diverse and distinct. All adaptations improve the reproductive
potential of those who exhibit them, as well as their ability to survive and
reproduce. Adaptations aren't always the same. Natural selection causes the
features of individuals in a population to change as the environment changes.
 Regulations - Even the tiniest organisms have several regulatory mechanisms in
place to coordinate internal activities, respond to stimuli, and cope with
environmental challenges. Nutrient transport and blood flow are two examples of
internal activities regulated in an organism. Organs (groups of tissues that work
together) distribute oxygen throughout the body, remove waste, give nutrients to
every cell, and keep the body cool.
 Energy processing - For their metabolic functions, all organisms require a source
of energy. Some species catch solar energy and convert it to chemical energy in
their food, whereas others utilise chemical energy from molecules they consume.
 Growth and development - Genes code for precise instructions that organisms
must follow in order to grow and develop. These genes give instructions for
cellular growth and development, guaranteeing that a species' offspring (Figure 3)
will have many of the same features as their parents.
 Response to the environment - To survive, all creatures must react to their
surroundings. Physical variables like as light, temperature, and touch are just a
few of the stimuli that organisms must respond to. Consider how you react to light
when you enter a brightly lighted room from a poorly lit one.
 The pupils of your eyes contract as one of your body's responses. It's possible that
your behavior will change as well. You might wear sunglasses or cover your eyes
with your hand. Changes in light affect other organisms as well. Plants, for
example, grow toward the light. Some fungi require light in order to produce the
structures that we recognize as mushrooms.
 Reproduction - Single-celled organisms reproduce by copying their DNA and
then dividing it evenly as the cell divides into two new cells. Multicellular
organisms frequently create specialized reproductive germline cells from which
new individuals are formed. When an organism reproduces, genes containing
 DNA are passed down to its offspring. These genes ensure that the offspring are
of the same species and have similar physical characteristics like size and shape.

2. Describe each biological levels of organization

 The Biosphere – The biosphere is made up of all of the Earth's ecosystems put
together. The biosphere includes every animal, plant, microbe, rock, and molecule
on the planet. At this level of biology organization, non-biologists such as
meteorologists and geologists may join biologists to answer questions.
 Ecosystems - All of the communities in a given area, as well as all of the non-
living, physical components of the environment, make form an ecosystem. An
ecosystem consists of rocks, water, and dirt. Ecologists investigate populations,
groups, and ecosystems as a whole.
 Communities - A community is a collection of different populations of creatures
that interact in a certain area. A forest, for example, has all of the trees, birds,
squirrels, soil bacteria, and insects.
 Populations - A population is a collection of creatures of the same species living
in the same region. A population, for example, is a group of lions in Kenya,
Africa.
 Organisms - An organism is a self-contained, identifiable entity. Organisms can
be single-celled organisms like bacteria or amoebae, or multi-celled organisms
with multiple organs and organ systems. A multicellular organism such as a
human being is an example.
 Organ and Organ systems - An organ is a collection of tissues that work
together on a bigger scale to perform certain functions in the body of an animal.
The brain, heart, and lungs are examples of organs. Anatomy is one of the biology
specialties that deals with this level. A group of organs that work together to
fulfill specified biological duties is referred to as an organ system. In animals, for
example, the respiratory system employs the lungs, airways, and respiratory
muscles to inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Physiologists look at how
different elements of the body interact together. Physiologists can work at any
level of biological organization, but they are frequently called upon to address
issues about organ systems.
 Tissues - made up of cells that collaborate to complete a task. Tissue includes
muscle tissue, connective tissue, and neural tissue. At this level, histologists are
an example of biologists.
 Cells - The simplest unit of life is the cell. Plant cells, which have a stiff cell wall
formed of cellulose molecules, and animal cells, which have flexible cell
membranes, are the two types of cells. Cell biologists look into issues like
metabolism and the structure and function of cells within and between them.
 Organelles - a French word that literally means "small organs." The cell, like the
rest of the body, is made up of "little organs" that execute specific functions. They
are membrane-bound compartments or structures of a cell in general. An
organelle, by definition, is a membrane-bound compartment or structure in a cell
that serves a specific purpose.
 Molecules - Atoms, the smallest unit of chemical elements, make up molecules.
They can be found in both living and non-living things. Molecules are the
 building blocks of all living things. Biochemistry and molecular biology are two
biological disciplines that concentrate on this level.

3. What is the unifying theme “Emergent properties” all about?

 Emergent properties from the molecule to the biosphere, the living universe has a
hierarchical arrangement. As you move up the organizational ladder, new
qualities develop as a result of interactions between lower-level components.

4. What is the unifying theme “Life’s Processes Involve the Expression and Transmission of
Genetic Information” all about?
 All living things' reproduction and growth is based on the division of cells to
generate new cells. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is copied in proliferating cells
and then partitioned into two new daughter cells. The Genetic Material, DNA
Genes are found on DNA. Genes are the genetic information transmission units
that pass from parent to offspring. DNA is in charge of the entire organism's
development and maintenance, as well as everything the organism performs
indirectly. The genetic information is stored in DNA. Nucleotides, abbreviated A,
G, C, and T, are the building units of DNA.
The information needed to make proteins is found in DNA. DNA directs the formation of
proteins via an intermediary molecule known as RNA, which is subsequently translated
into protein. Gene expression is the term for this process. Only a small percentage of
RNA is translated into protein. Some RNA molecules are part of the ribosome's structure,
while others are utilized to control gene transcription.

5. What is the unifying theme “Life Requires the Transfer and Transformation of Energy
and Matter” all about? Explain.
 The use of energy to carry out life's functions is a key trait of living organisms.
Moving and expanding necessitates effort, and effort necessitates energy. Energy
is transformed by living beings. Plants, for example, convert solar energy (sun
light) into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis (sugar). Energy
flows through living beings first with producers (plants), then to consumers
(animals), and finally decomposes (bacteria and fungi).

6. What is the unifying Theme “From Molecules to Ecosystems, Interactions Are Important
in Biological Systems” all about?
 Ecosystems are the interactions of an organism with other organisms as well as
the physical environment. Each organism interacts with other organisms at the
ecological level. Physical variables in the environment also interact with
organisms. Interactions Between Molecules in Organisms Biological processes
must be regulated in order for living systems to function properly. The chemical
processes of the cell are mediated by enzymes, which are proteins. An enzyme is
in charge of each step of the chemical process in a cell. Many biological processes
are able to self-regulate thanks to a mechanism known as feedback regulation.
Negative feedback occurs when the end product builds up and slows down the
 overall chemical reaction. When the completed product receives positive
feedback, it accelerates its own production.

7. What is the core theme “evolution” all about?

 As a result of evolution, organisms display both unity and diversity. Although
living species share features (unity), each organism is ideally fitted to its
environment (diversity). All species have a common origin, and the organisms we
observe today are modified offspring of that ancestor.