1-3 Studying Life
BIOLOGY
“bio” – life
“logy” – the study of
Biology is the science that seeks to
understand the living world.
What does it mean to be alive?
Characteristics of Life

Living things are made up of cells
– Smallest units of an organism that is
considered alive
– Can be unicellular (bacteria) or
multicellular (humans)
Characteristics of Life

Living things reproduce
– Final product of reproduction = new organism
– Asexual: formation of a new organism from
one parent.
• OFFSPRING IS A CLONE OF THE PARENT
– Sexual: two cells from different parents unite
to produce the 1st cell of new organism
Characteristics of Life

Living things are based on a universal
genetic code
– Based on 1 molecule that is almost
identical in every organism on earth: DNA
(Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
Characteristics of Life

Living things grow and develop
– Growth: an increase in size of an organism
– Development: progression through a life
cycle
Characteristics of Life

Living things obtain and use energy
– Metabolism: the sum of all chemical
reactions occurring in an organism.
– Autotroph: obtains energy from the sun
– Heterotroph: obtains energy from
consuming other organisms.
Characteristics of Living Things

Living things respond to environment
ex. Find shelter from rain
ex. Hibernating to survive the winter
ex. Produce toxins to ward off predators
 Living things maintain a stable internal environment
– Homeostasis: keeping internal condition stable
relative to the external environment
Characteristics of Living Things

Living things evolve
– Individuals DO NOT EVOLVE
– Populations evolve over time
Made of
Cells
The
Characteristics
of Life
Reproduce
Obtain and Use
Materials and
Energy
Based on a
Universal
Genetic Code
Change
over time
Grow and
Develop
Respond to
their
Environment
Maintain a
stable internal
environment
Is Yeast Alive? How do you know?
Paleontology
Branches of Biology
Botany
Zoology
Entomology
Ornithology
Paleontology
Branches of Biology
Botany- Plants
Anatomy-Structure
Cell Biology- Cells
Entomology – Insects
Physiology- Processes (function)
Zoology-Animals
Genetics- Inheritance
Paleontology – Prehistoric life
Ornithology - Birds
Major Themes of Biology
1.
Science is a process
We continue to learn, modify, and build on previous scientific work (adjust hypotheses,
research, experimental designs)
2.
There is interdependence in nature
Many organisms have relationships of dependence (ecological relationships, on organism
depends on the other for food, reproduction, shelter, etc.)
3.
Regulation (homeostasis)
Regulatory mechanisms manage and control life (help establish order/avoid
disorganization)
4.
Continuity and Change
Some things are preserved while others change (made of cells, types of cells vary)
5.
Science Technology and Society
Technology is integrated with our lives (genetics, vaccines, forensics, etc.)
6.
Energy is transferred and transformed
Energy is neither created or destroyed but converted to different forms
7.
Structure fits function
The function of a biological mechanism is related to it’s purpose (bird beak/ flower)
8.
Life evolves
Species change over time
Major Biological Themes
Science is a
Process
Life
evolves
MAJOR
THEMES
Structure
fits
Function
There is
interdependence
in nature
Regulation
(Homeostasis)
Continuity
and Change
Energy is
transferred and
transformed
Science,
Technology and
Society
The Metric System
– Units are in multiples
of 10.
– Ex: Ten centimeters
= 1 decimeter
– Also called the
International System
of Units (SI)
Post Quiz Assignment . Use a sheet of paper
from the front desk.
1.What do you think an atom looks like?
Draw your version of a carbon atom
Carbon has 6 protons, 6 electrons and 6
neutrons?
2. Water is a special chemical compound that is
important to biology. What is the chemical
formula for water? What things can you think of
that are special about water?