Biology, the study of life, is a particularly exciting area of science because it is a point of convergence for information and tools from all of the natural sciences. Based on your knowledge of biology, indicate whether each of the following statements about living systems is true or false. 1. Cells are composed of chemicals and both the structure and function of cells are regulated by the basic principles of chemistry.
2. Scientists have successfully sequenced the entire genome of humans but have not yet sequenced the entire genome of any other species.
3. Living systems are the most complex chemical systems on earth.
4. Living systems are governed by the same principles of chemistry and physics that govern non-living systems
5. Living organisms contain unique chemical elements which are not found in non-living systems.
6. An input of energy is required to maintain the complexity of living systems.
7. The energy conversions that take place in living systems are governed by the same laws of thermodynamics that govern non-living systems.

1. True

2. False

3. True

4. True

5. False

6. True

7. True

Explanation:

Cells (i.e., the basic units of all living things) are composed of water, inorganic ions compounds, carbon-containing molecules, etc., which are governed by chemical laws in the same way as non-living systems. There are many species whose genomes have already been sequenced, even larger genomes than the human genome (whose genome contains 2.9 Gigabases) have already been sequenced (for example, the wheat genome which contains 17 Gigabases has been completely sequenced). Biological systems have a unique complexity level that enables them to coordinate their metabolic activities (e.g., reproduction, growth, etc). All living things are governed by the same thermodynamic principles as non-living systems. In organisms, the chemical reactions are coordinated by organic compounds (DNA, RNA, and proteins) which have chemical and physical properties that enable them to organize, grow and reproduce. The energy in the form of food is critical for sustaining metabolic homeostasis and ultimately to sustain life. Cellular respiration is a metabolic process that enables living things to obtain energy from organic molecules (proteins, carbohydrates and fats), these reactions follow the same thermodynamic principles observed in non-living systems.