The Science of Biology
 Chapter 1
AP Biology
2005-2006
Study of Life
Themes & Concepts
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2005-2006
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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2005-2006
Science as a process of inquiry
AP Biology
2005-2006
Science as a process of inquiry
 repeatable observations
& testable hypothesis
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2005-2006
Evolution
 Core theme of biology
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Charles Darwin
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Natural selection
 Evolutionary
adaptation is a
product of natural
selection
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2005-2006
Nothing in biology makes sense
except in the light of evolution.
— Theodosius Dobzhansky
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2005-2006
Natural selection
 Evolutionary adaptation is a product of
natural selection
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2005-2006
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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2005-2006
Energy utilization
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2005-2006
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
2005-2006
Form follows function
 Structure & function are correlated at
all levels of biological organization
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2005-2006
Regulation
 Regulatory mechanisms ensure a
dynamic balance through feedback
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2005-2006
Interdependence
 No organism is
an island standing
alone
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2005-2006
Science, technology & society
 Science & technology must function within
the framework of society

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ethics
2005-2006
Umbrella concepts
Recurring principles & ideas
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2005-2006
Diversity & unity
 Dual aspects of life on Earth
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2005-2006
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Unity of life
What do organisms have in common?
Why do similarities exist?
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2005-2006
Evolution explains diversity & unity
 Unity
evolutionary relationships
 connected through a common ancestor

 Diversity
natural selection
 adaptations in
different
environments

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2005-2006
Properties of life
order
reproduction
response
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growth &
development
energy
utilization
homeostasis
evolutionary
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adaptation
Levels of organization
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Each level
has emergent
properties
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2005-2006
Cell is basic unit of life
 Cell theory
developed
with early
microscopes
 prokaryotes
 eukaryotes

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2005-2006
Diversity of life
What differences are there
between organisms?
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2005-2006
3 Domains of Life
Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya
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2005-2006
Organizing systems
 Making sense out
of the diversity
 Hierarchical scheme
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2005-2006
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

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2005-2006
Which science is growing the
fastest in new knowledge?
BIOLOGY!!
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Dr. Mary Claire King
Genomics
& proteomics
projects are
driving research
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Any Questions??
AP Biology
2005-2006