Introduction To Biology

What is Biology?

•Biology is the study of life

•It is not only life, but also the study of interactions that occur between organisms and the environment.

•Organism: “living thing”

How do we determine what life is?Where do you think new life comes from?

Does it arise spontaneously?

To be considered life…ALL things must have these four characteristics

1. Orderly Structure

2. Must be able to grow and develop

3. Adjust to changes in the environment

4. Produce offspring

1. Orderly Structure

•Means there is organization

•Whether an organism is made up of 1 or many cells, all of its parts must function as a whole

•Every living thing, whether single or multi-cellular, is made up of parts that function together in orderly living systems.

2. Grow and Develop

•Growth ▫means that there is an increase in the

amount of living material

•Develop▫All of the changes that take place during

the life of an organism

3. Adjust to changes in the environment

•Environment▫The surroundings in which an organism

lives

•Organisms must respond according to the environments stimuli:▫Stimulus: Anything that causes an

organism to react▫Response: A reaction to stimulus

The ultimate goal….

•The ultimate goal of an organisms is to reach homeostasis.

•Homeostasis: When the regulation of an organisms internal environment maintains conditions suitable for survival.

•Examples: Drinking enough water to not be thirsty….or producing enough heat be comfortable in ones environment.

Adaptation

•Animals come to adapt to their environment.

•Adaptations are inherited traits from previous generations that allow an organism to better survive its environments.

•Example:▫Grasshoppers grow wings if food becomes scarce.▫Polar bears have hollow hair to increase warmth.

4. Produce Offspring

•Reproduction▫Is the process by which living organisms

produce offspring.▫Organisms don’t live forever, and in order

to survive and continue they must produce offspring.

•Organisms can only produce like offspring.▫ELEPHANTS CAN’T MAKE CHICKEN

BABIES!!!

How do Biologists study organisms?Biologists use scientific method--•1. Observation

•2. Forming Hypothesis ▫a testable explanation

•3. Collecting Data Data comes from both investigation and

experimentation.

How do Biologists study organisms?•4. Forming a theory

▫A theory is a hypothesis agreed on by many scientists

•5. Revising a theory▫A law is a scientific theory that is

commonly accepted as fact.

Data can be two things

•Qualitative▫Written descriptions or observational data

•Quantitative▫Numerical data

What is the goal of science?

•To be caretakers of the environment and all organisms

•To improve life by improving technology▫Technology: the application of scientific

research to society’s needs and problems.

•We all have an ethical responsibility to ensure science and technology is used properly.

What is the goal of science?

•What other goals are present?

•How has science improved your life?