Question

Which of the following descriptions are examples of emergent properties? Check all that apply.

a The parts of a motorcycle function together to allow the motorcycle to start up and go.
b The combined functions of the heart, lungs, blood, and blood vessels in the human body allow oxygen to be delivered to cells.
c The interactions of phospholipids, many types of proteins, carbohydrates, and cholesterol that make up the plasma membrane result in a unique internal chemical environment for cells.
d A pair of foxes are able to capture twice as many rabbits as one fox by itself.

Answer 1

The emergent properties examples are: option b, option c, and option d.

Step-by-step explanation:

The descriptions that are examples of emergent properties are:

• Option b: The combined functions of the heart, lungs, blood, and blood vessels in the human body allow oxygen to be delivered to cells.
• Option c: The interactions of phospholipids, many types of proteins, carbohydrates, and cholesterol that make up the plasma membrane result in a unique internal chemical environment for cells.
• Option d: A pair of foxes are able to capture twice as many rabbits as one fox by itself.

These examples demonstrate how the interactions or combination of different parts or components create new properties or behaviors that are not present in the individual parts alone. This concept of emergent properties is important in understanding the complexity of biological systems.