Chapter 1
(and other introductory stuff)
Biology
Brooker et al, 4th ed
Reading assignment: all of Chapter 1
2
Characteristics of Life
Cells and
Organization
Response to
environmental
changes
Biological
evolution
Regulation
and
homeostasis
Energy use
and
Metabolism
Reproduction
Growth and
development
Figure is not from your text
3
Themes of Biology
Molecules
Atoms
Cells
1. Biological systems
are organized into
a hierarchy, from
atoms to the
Organism
biosphere.
-New properties
emerge at each
level (emergent
properties).
-Systems approach
vs reductionism.
Organs
Tissues
Biosphere
Ecosystem
Community
Population
Note: your textbook outlines 12 principles of biology, on pages 2-5. For lecture, I simplify this
into 7 themes, but the idea and content are essentially the same. Read about the 12 principles
to fill in information from lecture.
4
Themes of Biology
2. Organisms interact
with their
environment,
exchanging matter
and energy.
Sunlight
Ecosystem
Cycling
of
chemical
nutrients
Producers
(plants and other
photosynthetic
organisms)
Heat
Chemical energy
Consumers
(such as
animals)
Heat
Figure is not from your text
5
Themes of Biology
3. Structure is related to function at all levels of
biological organization.
O
OH
O
C
O CH3
Aspirin
Figures are not from your text
6
Themes of Biology
4. Feedback mechanisms regulate biological
systems (homeostasis).
Body Parameter
(Stimulus)
Receptor
Negative
Feedback
Efferent
Pathway
(actions)
Effector
Afferent Pathway
(sensory)
Integrator
Set Point
Difference
No Difference
= No Change
Figure is not from your text
7
Themes of Biology
5. Cells are the basic units of structure and function
in an organism.
Figure is not from your text
8
Themes of Biology
6. Reproduction is based on the heritability of
information through DNA (and RNA).
-DNA (instructions)
-Protein (functional)
Sperm cell
Nuclei
containing
DNA
Egg cell
Fertilized egg
with DNA from
both parents
Offspring with traits
inherited from
both parents
Figure is not from your text
9
Themes of Biology
6. Reproduction is based on the heritability of
information through DNA (and RNA).
- Systems Biology applied to genetics and proteomics
The genome
DNA (genes)
Proteins
The proteome
10
Themes of Biology
6. Reproduction is based on the heritability of
information through DNA (and RNA).
- Systems Biology applied to genetics and proteomics
Genome = instructions
Proteome = functional
Figure is not from your text
11
Themes of Biology
7. The core theme of biology: Darwin and
Wallace's theory of evolution by natural
selection.
Figure is not from your text
12
Evolution: Biology's Core Theme
•Biologists group
the diversity of
life into three
domains:
Archaea,
Bacteria, and
(a) Domain Eukarya
Eukarya.
{
(a) Domain Bacteria
(b) Domain Archaea
Protists
Plants
Fungi
Animals
Increasing
Relatedness
Evolution: Biology’s Core Theme
Taxonomic
group
Brad Pitt
is found in
Approximate time
when the common
ancestor for this
group arose
Domain
Eukarya
2,000 mya
Kingdom Animalia
600 mya
Phylum
Chordata
525 mya
Class
Mammalia
225 mya
Order
Primates
65 mya
Family
Hominidae ~ 14 mya
Genus
Homo
~ 2.3 mya
Species
sapiens
~ 0.2 mya
13
Examples
Modified from Figure 1.11
Evolution: Biology’s Core Theme
0
Equus
Hippidium and
other genera
Nannippus
Styohipparion
Neohipparion
Hipparion
Pliohippus
5
10
Sinohippus
Megahippus
Calippus
Millions of years ago (mya)
CENOZOIC
Archaeohippus
20
Merychippus
Anchitherium
Hypohippus
Parahippus
Miohippus
Mesohippus
40
Paleotherium
Epihippus
Propalaeotherium
Orohippus
Pachynolophus
55
Hyracotherium
14
Evolution: Biology’s Core Theme
• Genetic material changes through evolutionary time (and
sometimes faster than that).
DNA
DNA
Antibioticresistance
gene
Antibioticresistance
gene from
E. coli
Horizontal
gene
transfer to
another
species
Bacterial species such as
Escherichia coli
Bacterial species such as
Streptococcus pneumoniae
15
16
Evolution: Biology's Core Theme
•As diverse as life is, we can also find unity, such as a
universal genetic code.
•The more closely related two species are, the more
characteristics they share.
Ancestral
limb
Modification over time
Bat wing
Figure is not from your text
Dolphin
flipper
17
Evolution: Biology's Core Theme
• Evolution explains both the unity and diversity of life.
• The Darwinian theory of natural selection accounts for
adaptation of populations to their environment through the
differential reproductive success of varying individuals.
1
Population
with varied
inherited traits.
2
Elimination
of individuals
with certain
traits.
3 Reproduction
of survivors.
4 Increasing
frequency
of traits that
enhance
survival and
reproductive
success.
Figure is not from your text
18
Biology as a Science
Biologists develop theories that attempt to explain
observed phenomena.
Theories are supported by evidence, which comes
from performing experiments.
Two main forms of scientific inquiry:
1. Discovery based science (descriptive science).
- collect quantitative or qualitative data to describe some
system or thing.
2. Hypothesis driven science.
- collect data (usually quantitative) to test a hypothesis.
- Follow some form of the scientific method.
19
The Scientific Method
Observation
Define Problem
Propose Hypothesis
Gather Evidence
Test Hypothesis
Reject Hypothesis
Retain Hypothesis
Develop Theory
Figure is not from your text
20
The Scientific Method
Observation
Define Problem
Propose Hypothesis
Gather Evidence Test
Hypothesis
Reject Hypothesis
Retain Hypothesis
Develop Theory
Additional concepts:
-Repeatability
-Statistics
-Dissemination
21
Science, Technology, and
Society
• Many technologies are goal-oriented
applications of science.
• The relationships of science and
technology to society are now more
crucial to understand than ever before.
• The complexities of science often lead
to controversy, and misunderstanding.