BIL 150 Van Dyken Exam 1 Questions &
Answers 2025/2026
What are the 7 characteristics of life? - ANSWERS1. Contains Macros
2. Composed of cells
3. Reproduces
4. Use energy/raw materials
5. Respond to stimuli
6. Homeostasis
7. Adaptation/Evolution
What does structure determine? - ANSWERSstructure determines function
What are the 5 unifying themes of biology? - ANSWERS1. Organization
2. Information
3. Energy
4. Interactions
5. Evolution
What are the levels of biology? - ANSWERSatoms, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs,
organisms, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere
What are emergent properties? - ANSWERSNew properties that arise with each step upward in
the hierarchy of life, owing to the arrangement and interactions of parts as complexity
increases.
, Eurkaryote traits/tendencies? - ANSWERSLarge, organelles, multicellular, nucleus
Prokaryote traits/tendencies? - ANSWERSSmall, ribosomes, unicellular, no nucleus
What is the unity among organisms? - ANSWERSDNA
What is negative feedback? - ANSWERSA response to a change in the body that counteracts or
opposes the initial change.
What is positive feedback? - ANSWERSFeedback that increases the output of a process.
1 astronomical unit - ANSWERSThe distance from the Earth to the Sun
Atoms are mostly what? - ANSWERSempty space
Do electrons ever go in the nucleus? - ANSWERSYes, but their speed/momentum keeps them
from staying there
What is the tennis ball/period visualization? - ANSWERSIf a proton was the size of a tennis ball,
an electron would be the size of a period five football fields away
Why is the ring diagram wrong? - ANSWERSElectrons don't move in perfect circles like that, they
move in clouds really fast
How many naturally occurring elements are there? - ANSWERS92
How many naturally occurring do we use? - ANSWERS20-25 percent of them
Answers 2025/2026
What are the 7 characteristics of life? - ANSWERS1. Contains Macros
2. Composed of cells
3. Reproduces
4. Use energy/raw materials
5. Respond to stimuli
6. Homeostasis
7. Adaptation/Evolution
What does structure determine? - ANSWERSstructure determines function
What are the 5 unifying themes of biology? - ANSWERS1. Organization
2. Information
3. Energy
4. Interactions
5. Evolution
What are the levels of biology? - ANSWERSatoms, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs,
organisms, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere
What are emergent properties? - ANSWERSNew properties that arise with each step upward in
the hierarchy of life, owing to the arrangement and interactions of parts as complexity
increases.
, Eurkaryote traits/tendencies? - ANSWERSLarge, organelles, multicellular, nucleus
Prokaryote traits/tendencies? - ANSWERSSmall, ribosomes, unicellular, no nucleus
What is the unity among organisms? - ANSWERSDNA
What is negative feedback? - ANSWERSA response to a change in the body that counteracts or
opposes the initial change.
What is positive feedback? - ANSWERSFeedback that increases the output of a process.
1 astronomical unit - ANSWERSThe distance from the Earth to the Sun
Atoms are mostly what? - ANSWERSempty space
Do electrons ever go in the nucleus? - ANSWERSYes, but their speed/momentum keeps them
from staying there
What is the tennis ball/period visualization? - ANSWERSIf a proton was the size of a tennis ball,
an electron would be the size of a period five football fields away
Why is the ring diagram wrong? - ANSWERSElectrons don't move in perfect circles like that, they
move in clouds really fast
How many naturally occurring elements are there? - ANSWERS92
How many naturally occurring do we use? - ANSWERS20-25 percent of them
