Chapter Questions
Describe each of the five characteristics of life, and list several nonliving things that possess at least two of these characteristics.
Imagine two related species of single-celled protists living together in a pond. Write the organizational hierarchy of this ecosystem, starting with "atom" and ending with "ecosystem." Give an example of a structure at each level.
Why is a cell, and not an atom or a molecule, considered the basic unit of life?
Think of an analogy that will help you remember the differences between populations, communities, and ecosystems.
Other than the examples given in the text, name an example of emergent properties from everyday life.
Draw and explain the relationship between producers and consumers (including decomposers).
How does a home's air conditioning system illustrate homeostasis?
Explain why populations of organisms are typically well adapted to their environment.
How are the members of the three domains similar? How are they different?
List each step of the scientific method and explain why it is important.
Give two examples of questions that you cannot answer using the scientific method. Explain your reason for choosing each example.
Design an experiment to test the following hypothesis: "Eating chocolate causes zits." Include sample size, independent variable, dependent variable, the most important variables to standardize, and an experimental control.