BioNow:COL

Part I: Pre-Video Questions

1. Provide a brief definition of the following terms to gain familiarity before watching the video.

a. Biology:

b. Cell:

c. Organ system:

d. Energy:

e. Metabolism:

f. Photosynthesis:

g. Autotroph:

h. Heterotroph:

i. Homeostasis:

j. Enzyme:

k. Stimuli:

l. Reproduce:

m. Adaptation:

n. Evolution:

Please read the video summary below and answer the questions that follow in detail.

Biology is the study of life, but what is life? Is there a simple definition to define what is living and what is non-living? When looking at something, you can probably clearly tell if it is alive or not. But, can you clearly explain why you know that?

Truthfully, there is not a simple definition. Instead, living organisms are defined by certain characteristics they all share. Thinking of bacteria, a mushroom, a squirrel, and yourself, what are characteristics you all share? For example, are you all living because you move or because you change? When an organism is displaying each characteristic, it is alive. If it is not, then the organism is in serious trouble or it is not a living organism at all.

The characteristics of life encompass everything that makes a living organism “alive”. Everything studied in biology can be related back to these common characteristics. However, since you are probably just beginning to learn about biology, they may be difficult to understand. This video will show an example of an organism meeting and not meeting each characteristic, or a “winner” and a “loser,” to give a clear example you can relate to for the rest of your biology course.

1) What characteristics do you think define a living organism?

2) If a once living organism is no longer alive, would you call it dead or non-living?

3) What does your body do each day to stay alive?

Part II: Video Questions

4) What is the difference between reproduction and development?

5) Does an organism have to reproduce to stay alive?

6) Do eggs from the store represent unsuccessful reproduction and development?

7) Describe each level of organization in a living organism.

8) What is an emergent property?

9) How does energy from the sun reach all living organisms?

10) What is the difference between an autotroph and a heterotroph?

11) Why is a wood tick called a parasite?

12) What stimuli does an organism respond to in its environment?

13) Why is movement not a characteristic of life?

14) Describe several internal and external ways an organism responds to the environment.

15) During homeostasis, what physiological factors need to be balanced within a living organism?

16) Describe an example of your body maintaining homeostasis.

17) How is homeostasis controlled in a living organism?

18) What is genetic modification?

19) Why is it necessary for organisms to have the ability to adapt?

20) Why is the current environment making it difficult for organisms to adapt?

21) How do organisms develop adaptations?

Part III: Video Evaluation

22) Would the observations in this video be classified as a scientific experiment? Would this be considered science?

23) Were the losers shown in the video only losing at one characteristic?

24) Is every other characteristic shown the result of adaptation?

Part IV: Video Reflection

25) What was the most interesting part of the video?

26) What was something new you learned?

27) What are you confused about from the video?

28) Which part would you like to learn more about?

29) What follow-up observation or experiment would you like to do and how would you relate it to your life?