Biology Notes
Biology: Dr. Hensley / Mrs. Ingram
Date: Sept. 11 & 14, 2015
Topic: Characteristics of Living Things
8 Characteristics of Living Things:
1. Metabolism – get and use energy
2. Made of at least one cell – collection of stuff surrounded by a barrier
3. Grow and develop (think of butterflies and their phases of development)
4. Respond (react) to surroundings (stimulus)
5. Homeostasis – keeping your body in balance (ex: body temp, water, energy)
6. Evolve – change to adapt to environment
7. Share universal genetic code (DNA)
8. Reproduce
Biology – Bio = Life + ology = Study
Biology is the study of living things.
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Biologist – one who studies biology
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Zoologist – one who studies animals
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Botanist – one who studies plants
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Paleontologist – one who studies old things (fossils)
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Ethology – study of behaviors
Levels of Organization
Largest
Biosphere – all the parts of the Earth that is alive
Ecosystem – living and non-living things in an area
Ex: Living and non-living in Ashburn
Community – groups of populations in an area
Ex: All living things in Ashburn
Population – group of same organism in an area
Ex: All humans in Ashburn
Organism – one living thing – all organ systems working together
Ex: Human
Organ System – group of organs working together
Ex: Circulatory System
Organ – group of tissues working together
Ex: Heart
Tissues – group of same type of cells working together
Ex: Muscle in arm
Smallest
CELLS – SMALLEST LIVING THING
Molecules – atoms stuck together – non-living