What is the study of Biology? Unit 1 Biology means “the study of life” Anything living is studied by biologists. • Living things are called BIOTIC organisms. • Things that are not living are called ABIOTIC. • These are air, water, rocks, heat/cold, wind, etc. • There are lots of kinds of scientists that are biologists. • If you were to specialize in a particular type or kind of living thing, you would then be called: • Ecologist = studies the environment and how living thing interact and influence each other • Geneticist = studies DNA in cells and how it influences characteristics of organisms • Botanist = studies plants • Pathologist = studies bacteria and the way it affects animal health. • Doctors, nurses, veterinarians = they all study biology first! Biology is such a large topic, it must be studied by creating a foundation of knowledge. We start with the smallest unit of life, the cell. We learn how our food gives us life. • Atomic structure • How food is structured. • Parts of the Cell • How each part of the Cell works • How food is used by the cell to give you life. After learning about each cell part, we will focus on the nucleus and how DNA contains the instruction book for our cells to know what to do with the food and make our bodies. DNA is a nucleic acid with a distinct double helix shape DNA is found in every living thing on the earth. All DNA is made of the same 4 molecular bases – which makes every living thing related. Muscle Hair Babies Skin Eye Color YOU! You have the same DNA molecules as this mouse AND the plant. But how can that be, you say? As you study biology, you will find the answer! We will start our study of biology by Review of Scientific Method, Tools used in Lab Safety in the Lab Review of Physical Science – Atoms and molecules Periodic Table bonding We will use the textbook and ipads in class and you need to become familiar with using your smartphone or computer when at home. • Textbook – you need to read the chapters. • Ipod – you will access class lectures live in class • You will use the ipod to read science articles, take comprehension quizzes and write about them. • You will use the ipod to take quizzes and tests in class. • You will use the ipod for assessment of learning. If you are apprehensive about using this technology in class, don’t worry. We will learn it all together. Tools for making the best grades in class: 1. Always take notes Ask questions immediately if you don’t understand and write them in your notes. 2. Always draw pictures and models biology is visual and drawing helps to understand concepts 3. Read the chapter with your notes open beside you add to your notes as you read 4. Learn the vocabulary biology is a scientific language spoken all over the world 5. Don’t get behind!