I. Biology- The Study of Life

A. What is the Value of Biology?1. It enables us to live longer healthier lives2. It helps us to understand how we live3. It allows us to better understand our place

in the web of life4. It will help humans to survive in the future

B. Biological Organization 1. Biosphere: all the

parts of the earth that are inhabited by living things

2. Ecosystem: community of living things and the non-living environment

Communities and Populations3. Community: the living

things (producers, consumers and decomposers) within an ecosystem

4. Populations: members of an individual species within a population.

Organisms and Organ Systems5. Organism: an

individual living thing

6. Organ system: a group of organs working together to perform a vital body function

Organs and Tissues7. Organ: Unit

consisting of several tissues that together performs a specific task

8. Tissue: Group of cells that perform a specific functions

Cells and Organelles 9. Cells: the basic

unit of structure and function in living things

10. Organelles: part of a cell with a specific function

Molecules and Atoms11. Molecules: two or more

atoms that have chemically combined

a) DNA is a molecule that is responsible for inheritance

b) Genes are specific lengths of DNA that contain inherited information

12. Atoms: smallest units of matter

C. Classifying Life Domain (Largest) Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species (Smallest)

D. Domains of Life (3)1. Archaea: Unicellular (1 cell),

prokaryotes (no nucleus.) Chemotrophs, Halophiles and Thermophiles. Genetically similar to eukaryotes.

2. Bacteria: Unicellular, prokaryotic

3. Eukarya: have cells with nuclei and membrane bound organelles. Most are multicellular (many cells.)

E. 10 Major Biological Themes1. Biological Systems- Cells, tissues, systems,

organisms and populations are interconnected and constantly affect each other.

2. Cells- All living things are made of one or more cells

3. Form and Function- Biological structures are designed to their function. I.e. Red blood cells are round. Nerve cells are long.

Major Biological Themes4. Living Things Reproduce- Genetic material is

passed from parent to offspring5. Interaction with the Environment- materials

are constantly cycled between living things and their environment

6. Energy- The ability to do work. All living things require energy. Energy enters the biosphere as light and is captured by photosynthetic organisms called producers. Energy is then transferred to consumers and finally leaves as heat

Major Biological Themes7. Regulation- Living things are capable of

maintaining homeostasis- regulation of internal environment. I.e. Body temperature

8. Adaptation & Evolution a) Adaptations are characteristics that help an organism

survive. I.e. Camouflage. b) Evolution is driven by natural selection: Organisms

who are well suited to their environment live longer and have more offspring than organisms who are not as well adapted

9. Biology and Society –Biology is changing the lives of humans.

10. Scientific Inquiry Science is a process Science is a means of testing a hypothesis to

determine truth True science is designing experiments to better

understand our world IT IS NOT THE REGURGITATION OF

FACTOIDAL SPEW! Science is under constant review and revision

SCIENCE is not the affirmation of a set of beliefs, but a PROCESS OF INQUIRY aimed at building a testable body of knowledge open to rejection or confirmation. In science, knowledge is fluid and certainty is fleeting.