Introduction to Biology

What is Biology? The study of life The science of living things

Origins of word “biology” Biology (Greek or Latin origin) Bios = life Logos = study of

Characteristics of Life 1.Cellular composition 2.Growth 3.Reproduction 4.Movement 5.Adaptation 6.Metabolism 7.Specific organization 8.Homeostasis 9.Responsiveness

Cellular Composition Made up of at least one cell Unicellular - made of one cell (bacteria, amoeba, paramecium) Multicellular - made up of two or more cells (plants, fungi, animals)

Growth Increase in cell size (unicellular) and/or an increase in cell number (multicellular)

Reproduction Asexual- cell division (mitosis)—one cell becomes two Ex: bacteria Sexual- union of sex cells (sperm and egg) Ex: plants and animals

Movement 3 types: A.Place to Place- (ex: bear running, bird flying, etc) B.External Part- (ex: + phototropism, plants orient leaves toward sun) C.Internal- (ex: cytoplasmic streaming)

Adaptation Changing to meet the needs of the environment Examples: 1. Bird migration- behavioral adaptation

Adaptation (continued) 2.Human body temperature- Physiological adaptation 3.Hibernation- physiological adaptation 4.Hare ear length (desert vs. arctic hares)- structural adaptation

Metabolism Set of chemical reactions that convert “food” into energy

Specific Organization Certain parts do specific jobs (ex: heart, nucleus, chloroplasts, etc)

Homeostasis Maintaining the same state Homeo = same, steady Stasis = state Examples: -Water balance inside and outside of cell -Human body temperature *Cells function best when these are in balance

Responsiveness Reaction(s) to various stimuli Examples of stimuli: light, heat, pH, vibration, smell, etc.– earthworms respond to all of these

Biology is a Unified Science Biology + Chemistry + Physics= Science Why do arctic hares turn white in winter?

1. Arctic winter conditions

Kirkoff’s Laws White: Good reflector (reflects light and heat) Poor radiator (heat is lost slowly) Black: Good absorber (absorbs light and heat) Good radiator (heat is lost quickly)

Branches of Biology 1.Zoology- the study of animals 2.Ichthyology- the study of fish Why Important? Fish are indicator species. Alert humans to potential environmental problems

3.Mammalogy- study of mammals (NASA) 4.Ornithology- the study of birds Why important? DDT(insecticide used in ‘50s and ’60s) Birds of prey #s declined bioaccumulation- the build up of chemicals or toxins in living things

5.Botany- the study of plants Why important? Food production, medicines 6.Microbiology- study of small life Why important? Medicines, bioterrorism

7.Anatomy- study of an organism’s parts 8.Physiology- study of how organism’s parts work Why important? Health professions, veterinarians

9.Entomology- study of insects Why important? West Nile virus, Yellow fever– carried by mosquitoes 10.Genetics- study of heredity and genetic material (DNA/RNA, chromosomes, genes) Why important? Cloning, research, solving crime

11.Ecology- study of all life in a particular area, the relationships b/t those life forms and the environment Why important? AMD, Overpopulation Ozone Depletion/Greenhouse Effect Rainforest Destruction Pollution- other states pay to dump garbage in PA

12.Cell Biology- the study of cells Why Important? Need to know about cells to learn more about whole organisms

Biology As A Science Science Perspectives (3) 1.Teacher- organized body of knowledge -based on facts (some theories) -accuracy and precision important

2.Student- + or – (some like, others don’t) 3.Man or Person on the Street- science has no value -no application to everyday life (uninformed view)

Scientific Attitudes Apply to science and everyday life 1.Careful Judgment Life examples A. Drugs/Alcohol B. Driving C. Firearms D. Sex/STDs

Scientific Attitudes 2.Desire to Learn *Based on interest* Life Examples A. Hunting/Fishing B. Sports

Scientific Attitudes 3.Cause and Effect- **when cause and effect is not understood, superstitious beliefs replace scientific ideas Science examples A. Galileo- sun-centered universe vs. earth- centered universe theory

B.Peace Corps – vitamin A shots C.Spontaneous Generation- non-living materials turn into living things Example: mud  fish Life examples A.Smoking/Chewing B.Tanning Beds

Scientific Attitudes 4.Concern for Human Welfare Life examples A.Fire/Police depts. B.Clergy C.Teachers D.Scouts E.Americorps

Biology Pioneers 1. Aristotle -Greek (1 st bio. teacher) “Father of Biology and Zoology”

More on Aristotle Supported spontaneous generation theory Created a theory of the elements 4 elements: A.Earth B. Air C.WaterD. Fire -1 st person to start classifying organisms

2. Hippocrates Greek “Father of Medicine” Hippocratic Oath for doctors (part of his life-long legacy)

3. Leeuwenhoek Dutch His hobby was lens grinding ** He did NOT invent the microscope, he perfected microscope lenses

He was the first person to see: A.Bacteria B.Protozoans C.Red blood cells D.Sperm cells -He did NOT support spontaneous generation

4. Lister British Hospital conditions were dirty & infectious Used phenol as a disinfectant “Father of Aseptic Surgery”

5. Fleming British Accidentally discovered first antibiotic (penicillin)

6. Salk and 7. Sabin

Salk and Sabin Developed 1 st polio vaccine injection (1955) Didn’t patent vaccine, didn’t want to profit from his discovery Developed oral polio vaccine (1959) Vaccines are weakened forms of disease that tricks body into making antibodies

Methods Used in Science 1.Technical Method (Cookbook Approach) -Materials are given -Directions are logical and lead to a known conclusion Ex: Water boils at what temperature F?

Technical method (continued) Directions: 1.Water in beaker 2.Heat until boiling 3.Use thermometer to measure temp.

2.Scientific (Research) Method -No materials given -No directions -Unknown conclusion

4 Basic Steps of Scientific Method 1.Observation 2.Hypothesis- educated guess that tries to explain observation 3.Test or experiment 4.Conclusion (match=finished; no match= start over again)

Goldenrod Lab Female insects deposit fertilized eggs along goldenrod stem early in growing season. Eggs develop into larva and the plant responds by forming galls. Galls are really tumors. Galls are plant’s response to foreign bodies invading it. Benefits to insect: