Study of Life
Themes & Concepts
MCC BP
Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Themes
 Science as a process of inquiry
 Evolution
 Energy transfer
 Continuity & Change
 Relationship of structure to function
 Regulation
 Interdependence in nature
 Science, technology & society
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Science as a process of inquiry
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Science as a process of inquiry
 repeatable observations
& testable hypothesis
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Evolution
 Core theme of biology
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Charles Darwin
Based on work by K. Foglia
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Natural selection
 Evolutionary
adaptation is a
product of natural
selection
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Nothing in biology makes sense
except in the light of evolution.
— Theodosius Dobzhansky
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Natural selection
 Evolutionary adaptation is a product of
natural selection
MCC BP
Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Energy transfer
 Life is an open system
organisms continuously interact
with the environment
 stuff comes in
stuff goes out
 energy is used

Entropy rules!
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Energy utilization
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Continuity & change
 Continuity of life is based on heritable
information in the form of DNA

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DNA – the genetic
material – carries
biological information
from 1 generation
to the next
Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Form follows function
 Structure & function are correlated at
all levels of biological organization
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Regulation
 Regulatory mechanisms ensure a
dynamic balance through feedback
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Interdependence
 No organism is
an island standing
alone
MCC BP
Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Science, technology & society
 Science & technology must function within
the framework of society

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ethics
Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Umbrella concepts
Recurring principles & ideas
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Diversity & unity
 Dual aspects of life on Earth
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Unity of life
What do organisms have in common?
Why do similarities exist?
MCC BP
Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Evolution explains diversity & unity
 Unity
evolutionary relationships
 connected through a common ancestor

 Diversity
natural selection
 adaptations in
different
environments

MCC BP
Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Properties of life
order
reproduction
response
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growth &
development
energy
utilization
homeostasis
evolutionary
adaptation
Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Levels of organization
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Each level
has emergent
properties
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Cell is basic unit of life
 Cell theory
developed
with early
microscopes
 prokaryotes
 eukaryotes

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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Diversity of life
What differences are there
between organisms?
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
3 Domains of Life
Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Organizing systems
 Making sense out
of the diversity
 Hierarchical scheme
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Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Why study themes of Biology?
 Biology is an ever expanding body of
knowledge
too much to memorize it all
 need to generalize
 create a framework upon which to
organize new knowledge
 themes are fundamental in
understanding the nature of living
organisms

MCC BP
Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Which science is growing the
fastest in new knowledge?
BIOLOGY!!
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Dr. Mary Claire King
Genomics
& proteomics
projects are
driving research
Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com
Any Questions??
MCC BP
Based on work by K. Foglia
www.kimunity.com