Question

the interactions between organisms in a rainforest biome cannot be predicted from simply understanding the chemical properties of the molecules in their bodies, much as the flavor of a cake cannot be observed by eating the raw ingredients.

the statement is an example of …

a. reductionist analysis
b. emergent properties
c. eukaryotic complexity
d. subjective opinions

Answer 1

The statement is an example of **b. emergent properties**. Emergent properties refer to complex traits or behaviors that arise from the interactions of simpler components, which cannot be understood by analyzing those components in isolation. In this case, the interactions between organisms in a rainforest biome cannot be predicted solely by understanding their individual chemical properties, analogous to how the flavor of a cake emerges from the combination and interaction of its ingredients rather than the ingredients themselves.