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?
Dec 14, 2015
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)