1-3 Studying Life

BIOLOGY

“bio” – life

“logy” – the study of

Biology is the science that seeks to understand the living world.

What does it mean to be alive?

Characteristics of Life

Living things are made up of cells– Smallest units of an organism that is

considered alive– Can be unicellular (bacteria) or

multicellular (humans)

Characteristics of Life Living things reproduce

– Final product of reproduction = new organism– Asexual: formation of a new organism from

one parent. • OFFSPRING IS A CLONE OF THE PARENT

– Sexual: two cells from different parents unite to produce the 1st cell of new organism

Characteristics of Life

Living things are based on a universal genetic code– Based on 1 molecule that is almost

identical in every organism on earth: DNA

(Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Characteristics of Life

Living things grow and develop– Growth: an increase in size of an organism– Development: progression through a life

cycle

Characteristics of Life

Living things obtain and use energy– Metabolism: the sum of all chemical

reactions occurring in an organism.– Autotroph: obtains energy from the sun– Heterotroph: obtains energy from

consuming other organisms.

Characteristics of Living Things Living things respond to environment

ex. Find shelter from rain

ex. Hibernating to survive the winter

ex. Produce toxins to ward off predators Living things maintain a stable internal environment

– Homeostasis: keeping internal condition stable relative to the external environment

Characteristics of Living Things

Living things evolve– Individuals DO NOT EVOLVE– Populations evolve over time

The Characteristics

of Life

Made of Cells

Reproduce

Based on a Universal

Genetic Code

Grow and Develop

Obtain and Use Materials and

Energy

Change over time

Maintain a stable internal environment

Respond to their

Environment

Branches of Biology

Zoology Botany

Entomology

Paleontology

Ornithology

Branches of BiologyBranches of BiologyBotany- Plants Physiology- Processes (function) Anatomy-Structure Zoology-AnimalsCell Biology- Cells Genetics- InheritanceEntomology – Insects Paleontology – Prehistoric life

Ornithology - Birds

Major Themes of BiologyMajor Themes of Biology1. Science is a processWe continue to learn, modify, and build on previous scientific work (adjust hypotheses,

research, experimental designs)

2. There is interdependence in natureMany organisms have relationships of dependence (ecological relationships, on organism

depends on the other for food, reproduction, shelter, etc.)

3. Regulation (homeostasis)Regulatory mechanisms manage and control life (help establish order/avoid

disorganization)

4. Continuity and ChangeSome things are preserved while others change (made of cells, types of cells vary)

5. Science Technology and SocietyTechnology is integrated with our lives (genetics, vaccines, forensics, etc.)

6. Energy is transferred and transformedEnergy is neither created or destroyed but converted to different forms

7. Structure fits functionThe function of a biological mechanism is related to it’s purpose (bird beak/ flower)

8. Live evolvesSpecies change over time

Major Biological Themes

MAJOR

THEMES

Science is aProcess

Life evolves

There is interdependence

in nature

Regulation(Homeostasis)

Structure fits

Function

Energy is transferred and transformed

Science, Technology and

Society

Continuity and Change

The Metric System– Units are in multiples

of 10.

– Ex: Ten centimeters = 1 decimeter

– Also called the International System of Units (SI)