Title: Exploring Biological Concepts and Relationships

1.      
Bats and humans are both mammals and share a
common ancestor. Because of this, a human arm and a bat wing have similar bone
structure. In contrast, bird wings and bat wings have different structures.
Explain these relationships in terms of homologous and analogous structures.
2.      
The Channel Islands are a series of small
islands off the California coast. Each island has a genetically distinct population
of foxes. Compare the population of foxes on one of these islands to the
population of foxes in the forests of mainland California. Which is more likely
to be impacted by genetic drift? Which is more likely to be at Hardy-Weinberg
equilibrium?
3.      
Living organisms are commonly divided into six
kingdoms: archaea, bacteria, fungi, protists, plants, and animals. What’s the
biggest problem with classifying organisms in this way?
4.      
a.      
How do radioactive elements help scientists
establish how old rocks and fossils are?
b.      
How do index fossils help scientists establish
how old rocks and other fossils are? In your answer, include fossils in the
same layer of rock, in a lower layer of rock, and in a higher layer of rock
compared to an index fossil.
5.      
Compare and contrast the lytic and lysogenic
life cycles of viruses. How does the virus reproduce in each of these life
cycles? What happens to the host cell in each of these life cycles?
6.      
Seeds are one way that plants reproduce.
a.      
What are the reproductive advantages of using
seeds to reproduce?
b.      
What are the two major divisions of seed plants,
and how do plants in each of these divisions reproduce?
7.      
How is water transported into and through a
plant? In your answer, describe the processes that move water into three
different structures of a plant.
8.      
Describe two ways that plants respond to their environment,
giving an example of each. Your answer can include ways that plants respond to
seasonal changes, light, gravity, or touch.
9.      
Define radial
symmetry, bilateral symmetry, and asymmetry
in animals. Provide an example of an animal with each body plan. To which of
these categories to humans belong?
10.  
Compare and contrast respiration in fish and in humans.
What is the goal of respiration? How is this goal accomplished?
11.  
Differentiate between mechanical and chemical
digestion. Where do each of these types of digestion take place?
12.  
Describe the structure of a neuron. Include the
cell body, dendrites, and axon in your description. How does the structure of a
neuron help it carry out its function efficiently?
13.  
What are osteoblasts and osteoclasts? Describe
how these cells work together in a healthy person. What can occur if these
processes are unbalanced?
14.  
Humans have one of four blood types: A, B, AB,
or O. Explain what determines a person’s blood type. What antigens are on the
blood cells in a person with each of these blood types? What antibodies are in
the blood of a person with each of these blood types?
15.  
Compare and contrast exocrine and endocrine
glands. Provide an example of an exocrine gland, an exocrine secretion, an
endocrine gland, and an endocrine secretion.