Themes of
Biology and
Characteristics
of Life
What is Biology?
 Biology
of life
 Bio=
is the study
Life
 Ology-
Study of
Themes in Biology
 Seven
recurring themes that you will
encounter in this course:







Stability and homeostasis
Evolution
Reproduction and Inheritance
Structure and Function
Development
Energy Relationships
Ecology
Stability and Homeostasis
 Homeostasis


The maintaining of
very stable internal
conditions
Can you give me
examples of
homeostasis?
Evolution
 Evolution
is species
changing over
time

Happens over a
very long period of
time
 Evolution
is the
unifying theme of
biology
Reproduction and Inheritance
 All
living organisms come from other living
organisms

Through the transmission of genetic material
 Types


of reproduction
Asexual- No exchange of genetic material
(produces clones)
Sexual- Combining of genetic material from
two different organisms
Structure and Function
 Structures
of organisms are almost always
related to specific functions that allow the
organism to survive in their environment
 Can
you give me some examples of
where this is true?
Development


All organisms are
composed of and
develop from cells
Two types of
organisms:


UnicellularComposed of only
one cell
MulticellularComposed of more
than one cells
Energy Relationships
 All
organisms use energy
 Organisms can make their own energy
(autotrophs)
 Organisms must “eat” other organisms in
order to gain energy (heterotrophs)
Ecology
 Ecology
is the study
of interactions of
organisms with
each other and
their environment
Characteristics
of Life
Characteristics of Life
 ALL
organisms on
the planet share
the EXACT same
eight
characteristics of
life
 If one or more
characteristics is
missing, then is not
considered living
Characteristics of Life
1.
All organisms are made up of at least
one cell
2.
Highly organized
Individual Cells- Specific cell structures
called organelles carry out specific
functions
2.
Multicellular organisms- Organized into:
TissuesOrgansOrgan SystemsOrganisms
1.
Characteristics of Life
3.
Uses energy through metabolism
4.
Responds to the environment (from a
stimulus)
5.
Grows and develops
Characteristics of Life
6.
Maintains homeostasis
7.
Reproduces
8.
Adapts to its surroundings