Getting to Know You! Answer the following questions on a sheet of paper: • Your official name • Name you want me to call you • Favorite TV show • Favorite animal • Future occupation • Favorite subject
Dec 29, 2015
Getting to Know You!
Answer the following questions on a sheet of paper:
• Your official name
• Name you want me to call you
• Favorite TV show
• Favorite animal
• Future occupation
• Favorite subject
Introduction to Biology:
The Characteristics of Life
A wide awake bear happy togo to biology class!
An asleep bear – not likeRHS biology students!
What is Biology?
Biology is the study of life.
The prefix “bio” means “life”
The suffix “logy” means “study of”
1. Cellular Organization
• All organisms are made up of units called cells.
• A cell is the smallest unit capable of all life functions.
Human blood cellsSome random animal cell Spi
rogy
ra (
it’s
an a
lgae
)
2. Reproduction
Reproduction is the process by which organisms make more of their own species.
Don’t say what you’re thinking!
But, what is a species?
A species is a group of similar organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
Species names are written in 2 words (the genus and species) such as:
Homo sapiens (humans) or
Felis domestica (house cats)
3. Metabolism
Metabolism is the sum of all of the chemical processes carried out in an organism. These processes make and use energy.
Metabolism refers to the energy of an organism. All organisms are able to obtain and use energy.
4. Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable, internal environment.
Homeostasis must be maintained in spite of changes in the external environment of an organism.
5. Heredity
Heredity is the passing of traits from parents to offspring. This is an important part of the process of reproduction (#2). A trait is an inherited characteristic.
Examples of traits are:
6. Responsiveness
Organisms can respond to changes in their environment. This responsiveness allows organisms to maintain their homeostasis.