Biology in the 21 st Century

Study of Life Learning Targets I can- Explain how the biosphere is related to biodiversity Explain common characteristics of organisms Understand and be able to use these terms: Biosphere Biodiversity Species Biology Organism Cell Metabolism DNA

Biosphere and Biodiversity The biosphere includes all living things and where they are found on Earth. All parts of the biosphere are interconnected. Biodiversity is the wide variety of life in the biosphere. FAQ: Why does biodiversity generally increase on the Earth from the poles to the equator? FAQ: What is a species? A species is a particular type of organism, that can reproduce by interbreeding and produce viable offspring.

Common characteristics of All Organisms Biology: the study of life and living things Organisms are living things Organisms are classified and organized according to imperfect human systems (binomial nomenclature) All living things are/have: Cells (the basic unit of life) uni- and multi- cellular with cell differentiation/specialization Require energy in chemical form FAQ: What is metabolism? Metabolism is the term for how organisms break down chemicals to get energy

All living things are/have/can: Response to their environment Plants grow towards light Pupils of your eyes contract when you walk out of a dark room into light FAQ: Think of an example where an appropriate response to a stimulus is critical for an organism’s survival.

All living things are/have/can: Reproduce and develop Organisms pass on genetic material (instructions) to offspring using deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) All of us started out as one cell, then 2, then 4, then a lot more than that. Our cells are specialized, many different cell types with many different functions FAQ: Give some examples of specialized cells with specialized jobs.

Stem Cells

Unifying Themes of Biology Learning Targets I can explain/understand How all levels of life have systems of related parts Structure and function are related in biology Why homeostasis is critical for survival How evolution can explain unity and diversity of life Understand and be able to use these terms: System Ecosystem Homeostasis Evolution adaptation

All levels of life have systems of related parts A system is an organized group of related parts that interact to form a whole Car example in textbook In biology, system may be on a large or small scale An ecosystem is a physical environment and the various species that interact with each other and the non-living things in it (coral reef, forest, prairie)

Structure and Function are related At EVHS, different people have different jobs. In organisms, different cells have different jobs Different types of cells have specialized structures suited to their jobs. FAQ: Give examples of different types of cells with specialized structures and functions. Ducks have webbed feet, eagles have talons Wolves have powerful jaws, fish have fins, Form follows function

Homeostasis The maintenance of constant internal conditions in an organism is homeostasis We sweat when our body temp rises, we shiver when we are cold. Homeostasis is often maintained by a negative feedback system Homeostasis is also maintained by behavior. FAQ: Give examples of how plants, animals, and single cells maintain homeostasis. FAQ: What may result if an organism cannot maintain homeostasis? Homeostasis is a type of biological balance

Evolution is change in living things over time. Evolution occurs through the natural selection of adaptations An adaptation is an inherited trait that gives an advantage to individuals that is passed on to offspring. Evolutionary adaptations are NOT choices made by individuals, but rather are species changes over time and many generations Evolution is a long-term response to the environment. Evolution has occurred, is occurring, and will continue to occur.

Unity and diversity Evolution is a unifying theme in biology because it accounts for the diversity and similarities, or the unity of life Humans have things in common with any organism you can name. FAQ: What do humans have in common with bacteria?

Biology and Your Future Learning Targets I can explain/understand: How our health and the health of our environment depend upon our understanding of biology How biotechnology offers great promise but also raises questions and issues Biology presents unanswered questions Understand and be able to use these terms: Biotechnology Transgenic

Health, the Environment, and Biology MN State Fair pig barn What was the issue? Ever get sick from something you ate? Food poisoning maybe. We all have choices to make. Drink alcohol, smoke, drugs, etc. These are biology related issues.

Biology around the world ( and close to home) Frog deformities observed by students in central Minnesota in What was the cause? Why does it matter? Maybe I don’t like frogs so why should I care? eformedfrogs.html eformedfrogs.html The canary in the coal mine analogy

Biotechnology raises issues Biotechnology is the use and application of living things and biological processes. Biotechnology is not new, but there has been an exponential growth in the field in recent years. Cheese had been made for centuries using biotechnology More recent advances in biotechnology include: DNA fingerprinting Transgenic organisms (have genes from other organisms) Genetically modified food (corn that can grow in dry conditions) Genetic screening Stem Cells Cloning

Biotechnology issues FAQ: What are some issues that can come up with advances in biotechnology?

Biology and unanswered questions. Biology will never be a “finished product”. There will always be unanswered questions, sometimes because the right question isn’t being asked. NASA/Mars/Curiosity Where do you fit in to the biology picture?