Mastering Biology: Chapter 1 - Exercises and Questions, Exams of Biology

Mastering Biology: Chapter 1

Which of the following is not an observation or inference on which Darwin's theory of

natural selection is based? -

poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring

Protists and bacteria are grouped into different domains because: -

protists have a membrane-bounded nucleus, which bacterial cells lack

Which of the following best demonstrates the unity among all the organisms? -

the structure and function of DNA

*The genetic code is arbitrary, at least to some extent. The fact that all organisms share a

single genetic code is due to their common ancestry. Read about the core theme of biology:

Evolution accounts for the unity and diversity of life.

Which example illustrates a property that emerges at the community level? -

Metabolic cooperation between prokaryotic cells forms a biofilm that allows

bacterial colonies to transport nutrients and wastes. Biofilms may damage industrial

equipment or cause tooth decay.

*This emergent property emerges at the community level, due to the interactions among

prokaryotic species forming the biofilm. Read about levels of biological organization in and

emergent properties.

molecules; however, when amino acids are joined together to make a protein with catalytic

properties, the new structure (enzymatic protein) can speed up the rate of a specific chemical

reaction. What does this illustrate? -

emergent properties

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