Introduction to General Biology 1

What is BIOLOGY?

• Greek word: BIOS (life) and LOGUS (to study) • “The Science of Life” • The study of living things • Deals with the investigation of the origin,

history, structure, function, identification, classification, distribution, development, inheritance, and significance of living things as well as their relationships and interactions with the environment.

Biology

1. Cells are the simplest unit of life.

Principles of Biology

2. Living organisms use energy.

Principles of Biology

3. Living organisms interact with their environment.

Principles of Biology

4. Living organisms maintain homeostasis.

Principles of Biology

5. Living organisms grow and develop.

Principles of Biology

6. The genetic material provides a blueprint for reproduction.

Principles of Biology

7. Populations of organisms evolve from one generation to the next.

Principles of Biology

1. Atom An atom is the smallest unit of an element that has the chemical properties of the element. All matter is composed of atoms.

Levels of Organization

2. Molecule Atoms bond with each other to form molecules.

Levels of Organization

3. Cell Molecules associate with each other to form larger structures such as cells. A cell is surrounded by a membrane and contains a variety of molecules.

Levels of Organization

4. Tissues Many cells of the same type associate with each other to form tissues.

Levels of Organization

5. Organs An organ is composed of two or more types of tissue. For example, the heart is composed of several types of tissues, including muscle, nervous and connective tissue.

Levels of Organization

6. Organ Systems Organs connected physically or chemically that function together.

Levels of Organization

7. Organism All living things are organisms classified into particular species. A specie is a related group of organisms that share a distinctive form and set of attributes in nature. The members of the same species are closely related genetically.

Levels of Organization

8. Population A group of organisms of the same species that occupy the same environment is called a population.

Levels of Organization

9. Community A biological community is an assemblage of populations of different species that live in the same environment.

Levels of Organization

10. Ecosystem Ecosystems are formed by interactions between a community of organisms and its physical environment.

Levels of Organization

11. Biosphere The biosphere includes all of the places on the Earth where living organisms exist. Life is found in the air, in bodies of water, on the land, and in the soil.

Levels of Organization