BIO 1140 Study Guide - Harold Urey, Stanley Miller, Reducing Atmosphere

Biology, the study of life, is a particularly exciting area ofscience because it is a point of convergence for information andtools from all of the natural sciences. Based on your knowledge ofbiology, indicate whether each of the following statements aboutliving systems is true or false.

1. Cells are composed of chemicals and both the structure andfunction of cells are regulated by the basic principles ofchemistry.

2. Scientists have successfully sequenced the entire genome ofhumans but have not yet sequenced the entire genome of any otherspecies.

3. Living systems are the most complex chemical systems onearth.

4. Living systems are governed by the same principles ofchemistry and physics that govern non-living systems

. 5. Living organisms contain unique chemical elements which arenot found in non-living systems.

6. An input of energy is required to maintain the complexity ofliving systems.

7. The energy conversions that take place in living systems aregoverned by the same laws of thermodynamics that govern non-livingsystems.

I need help on this microbiology question:

Contrary to our favorite science fiction books and movies, the chances of us finding another planet with a civilization comparable to, or even more advanced than our own, seems highly unlikely. But, through your work as a microbiologist at NASA, you have been able to help change our views as to what forms of life we should be looking for on planets in our solar system and around neighboring stars. Instead of radio signals or errant transmissions, we have begun looking for planets that have environments similar to those capable of sustaining life as we know it here on Earth. To determine what we could find out there, you have begun studying different unique and atypical environments found here on Earth. Although the harsh conditions of hot springs or undersea sulfur vents seem incompatible with most forms of life, organisms known collectively as "extremophiles" have still managed to survive and adapt to these extreme conditions. You believe extremophiles may help you gain insight into the potential metabolic requirements, processes, and challenges of extraterrestrial life. Thus far in your search, you have identified some prokaryotic cells that have evolved to survive in the extreme conditions of sulfur vents on the sea floor. These vents are found at great depths, where the crushing pressure and lack of light and oxygen are prohibitive to many forms of life. Bacteria that are not considered extremophiles reside in most ecological niches on this planet. There are some common criteria for the environment that would sustain these bacteria. Availability of water, pH that lies between 5 and 9, temperatures that will remain steady and below boiling; these are some of the characteristics that bacteria will require in their environment if they are to succeed. But in the environment of the ocean floor vents, not only is the pH of the water very low, but also the water temperature is unusually high due to the geologic activity that fuels the vents. Organisms that are adapted to such harsh conditions have necessarily evolved enzymes able to function beyond average optima, as well as a chemosynthetic metabolism capable of using vent organic and inorganic compounds as energy sources.

Part A - Comparable Earth Environments to Be Found on Another Planet

You identify the prokaryotic cells you've found as a species of bacteria. These bacteria appear to be living off of nutrients and sulfur compounds released from the vents on the sea floor. Over time, the bacteria must have evolved extreme metabolic and enzymatic capabilities to allow them to tolerate and even benefit from the extreme depths, the lack of oxygen, the low pH of the surrounding waters, high temperatures due to volcanic releases, and the unique nutrient source of the vents.

Choose the characteristics and their impact on enzyme activity that are not correct from the following statements. (more than one may be chosen)

Select the statements that correctly represent the theory ofevolution. Select all that apply.

Evolution is partly about inheritance. Evidence of evolution isseen in structures such as wisdom teeth and the tail bone inhumans. These structures are thought to be “left over” from ourancestors and no longer appear to have any essential function inmodern humans.

Natural selection means that today’s organisms are perfectlyadapted after millions of years of fine-tuning. No further changesare necessary because of all the progress that has been made bynatural selection.

We can see evidence of past natural selection in adaptationssuch as the camouflage of moths perched on the bark of their hosttree. We can also see natural selection at work today if we trackhow populations change in rapidly changing environments.

The theory of evolution does not apply to life today. It isstrictly about the history of life: what happened in the past asseen in fossils.

Scientists disagree about the main ideas of evolutionary theorybecause of incomplete or conflicting evidence.

Question 2

Select one answer.

10 points

The ability or tendency of organisms and cells to maintainstable internal conditions is called

metabolism

homeostasis

emergent property

evolution

Question 3

Select one answer.

10 points

Why do organisms maintain fairly steady conditions within theircells and bodies?

They need to keep conditions stable so that they can obtainfood.

Organisms just change along with whatever is happening in theoutside world, which is usually quite steady.

They must maintain stable conditions to keep their enzymesworking and generally to enable the chemical reactions of life.

Unstable conditions will destroy the DNA in cells; this is themost important risk for a cell facing physical or chemicalstress.

Question 4

Select one answer.

10 points

An organism or cell exhibits ____________ when it maintainssteady internal conditions despite changes in the outerenvironment.

homeostasis

evolution

balance

natural selection

Question 5

Select one answer.

10 points

Which type of molecule best illustrates the very strongrelationship between structure and function in biology?

enzymes

oxygen gas

all kinds of organic matter

water

Question 6

Select one answer.

10 points

Which best expresses how nutrients and energy move throughlife?

Nutrients flow from sunlight to organic matter to heat. Energycycles among all life forms.

Nutrients cycle among all life forms. Energy flows from sunlightto chemical energy to heat.

Nutrients and energy both are continually recycled in a greatcircle of life.

Question 7

Select one answer.

10 points

Which of the following is not a recurring theme in biology?

Living organisms maintain homeostasis.

Energy flows through living systems while matter isrecycled.

Evolutionary processes explain both the unity and adaptivediversity of life.

All of these are recurring themes.

Question 8

Select one answer.

10 points

Which statement about evolution is FALSE?

According to evolutionary theory, you are related to abacterium, to a yeast cell, to a snake, and to a whale. In fact,you are related to every species now alive on Earth, and to fossilspecies like dinosaurs as well.

Evolution occurs constantly, without end; there is no endpointin evolution.

Natural selection acts on genetic differences within apopulation to cause evolution. Individuals do not evolve.

Natural selection is about slow but steady progress. Through it,populations constantly get better-adapted. When this process iscompleted for all populations, evolution will come to a stop.

Question 9

Select one answer.

10 points

Imagine you have a peanut butter sandwich in front of you. Thesandwich is an example of _______.

matter

energy

Question 10

Select one answer.

10 points

You provide your gut bacteria with a warm place to live. Theyprovide you with vitamins and other services. This most directlyrepresents an example of...

shared ancestry of all life

natural selection

homeostasis

interdependence of life