Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

1. Introduction to Biology

Characteristics of Life

General Biology

1. Introduction to Biology

Characteristics of Life

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0:50 minutes

Problem 3

Textbook Question

Which of the following best demonstrates the unity among all organisms?
a. Emergent properties
b. Descent with modification
c. The structure and function of DNA
d. Natural selection

Verified step by step guidance

Begin by understanding the concept of 'unity among all organisms'. This refers to the common characteristics or features shared by all living things.

Consider the role of DNA in living organisms. DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information in all living cells, and its structure and function are consistent across diverse species.

Reflect on how DNA's structure, a double helix, and its function, encoding genetic information, are fundamental to all life forms. This universality suggests a common ancestry.

Compare DNA with other options like emergent properties, descent with modification, and natural selection. Emergent properties refer to new attributes of a whole that arise from the interaction of its parts, while descent with modification and natural selection are processes of evolution.

Conclude that the structure and function of DNA best demonstrate the unity among all organisms, as it is a universal feature present in all life forms, indicating a shared evolutionary origin.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Emergent Properties

Emergent properties refer to new attributes of a complex system that arise from the interaction and integration of its parts. In biology, this concept illustrates how complex traits and functions emerge from simpler biological components, such as cells forming tissues, which then form organs, demonstrating unity in the complexity of life.

Descent with Modification

Descent with modification is a fundamental concept of evolutionary biology, describing how organisms evolve over generations through changes in genetic material. This concept highlights the unity among organisms by showing how all species are connected through common ancestry, with modifications leading to diversity over time.

Structure and Function of DNA

The structure and function of DNA are central to understanding biological unity, as DNA is the universal genetic material found in all living organisms. Its double-helix structure allows for replication and transmission of genetic information, ensuring continuity and unity in the biological processes across diverse life forms.

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