Study guide chapter 1: Themes in the Study of Life
Campbell et al. Biology. 8th ed.
Study hint: Scan the chapter and start filling in the study guide before class. While
working through this study guide, make a list of key terms in the right margin. Usually,
these terms are boldfaced in the study guides or they appear in the referenced
figures. Consult the glossary in the back of your textbook or on the companion website
if you are not sure of definitions.
Read pages 1-18 and the handout Biological Key Concepts (for lecture) and 19-26 (for
lab). Be prepared to answer concept check questions (you can find answers to concept
check questions in appendix A of Campbell et al. Biology). Make note of any questions
you have about the reading. Bring those questions to your discussion section on
Thursday or Friday.
I. Themes connect the concepts of biology
1. Key concept I: Sustaining and perpetuating life poses challenges for living entities.
Use figure 1.3 to describe challenges and give examples for each.
2. Which of the properties described in figure 1.3 an be found in non-living entities?
3. Which characteristics common to all cells contribute to allowing cells to “perform
all activities required for life” (p. 7-8)?
4. *Explain skeletal similarities and behavioral differences between penguins and
jackrabbits. Can those differences and similarities be considered “adaptive
responses” (key concept 2)?
5. Can you illustrate key concept III “The responses that evolve are constrained by
(a) the laws of chemistry and physics, and
(b) present and historical abiotic and biotic factors (internal and external)” with
the example of skeletal similarities and behavioral difference between penguins and
jackrabbits?
6. Explain how the properties of life emerge from complex organization, give an
example.
7. *Illustrate the theme “Organisms interact with their environment” with an example
from cell biology that includes the two major dynamic processes of any ecosystem.
Note that a single cell can be an organism as well as an ecosystem.
8. Use DNA as an example to illustrate the theme “Structure and function are
correlated at all levels of biological organization (you might want to do the
Mastering Biology activity to deepen your understanding of DNA).
9. Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (Figure 1.8). Use the
Mastering Biology activity to commit the differences to your memory.
© Crima Pogge, CCSF for Bio 101A, page 1
