WHAT IS BIOLOGY??

 -Biology is the study of life and its processes –studies the form, structure, function, growth and development, behavior, and interaction of all living things

 Life is divided into levels of organization: – Molecules – clusters of atoms that carries the organism’s characteristics – Cells – the smallest units of life that can function independently –Tissues – made up of cells

- Organs – made up of tissues; structure that carries out a specific function in plants and animals - Organs – made up of tissues; structure that carries out a specific function in plants and animals - Organ systems – group of organs that work together (ex. Digestive system) –Organisms – a living thing and its structures

- Populations – group of organisms of one type living in the same area - Community – Populations that live together in an area - Community – Populations that live together in an area - Ecosystem – Community and its non-living surroundings - Ecosystem – Community and its non-living surroundings - Biosphere – the part of earth that contains all ecosystems - Biosphere – the part of earth that contains all ecosystems

BRANCHES OF BIOLOGY!! - Zoology – study of animal life - Zoology – study of animal life - Botany – study of plant life - Botany – study of plant life - Microbiology – study of microorganisms, tiny life forms such as bacteria - Microbiology – study of microorganisms, tiny life forms such as bacteria

 Physiology – study of functions of living things  Genetics – study of inheritance and variation in organisms  Ecology – study of relationships between organisms and their environment

- Anatomy – study of structures of living things - Taxonomy – hierarchical classification of organisms based on their structures and differences - Taxonomy – hierarchical classification of organisms based on their structures and differences - Psychology – study of the mind - Psychology – study of the mind

 o Neurology – study of the brain  o Oncology – study of cancer  Cytology – study of cells

 o Herpetology – study of reptiles  Entomology – study of insects

CAREERS IN SCIENCE!! - Teacher / College Professor – - Environmentalist – - Environmentalist – - Pharmacist – - Pharmacist – - Marine Biologist –

- Veterinarian – - Veterinarian – - Chemist – - Physician - - Physician - - Meteorologist –

- Paleontologist – - Physicist – - Engineer – - Engineer – - Astronomer –

Characteristics of Living Things How can we tell if something is living or not? There are 8 main characteristics of life that will answer this question for us.

1) Made up of CELLS - organisms can be UNICELLULAR or MULTICELLULAR Unicellular (one-celled) protist – this particular one is called an amoeba Both this woman and her flowers are multicellular organisms (made of many cells)

2) Reproduce  the passage of genetic material contained in the DNA from parent(s) to offspring  can be ASEXUAL (1 parent) or SEXUAL (2 parents) – Asexual reproduction can happen in several different ways – 2 of the most common ways are binary fission (above left) and budding -> Sperm + egg from 2 different parents Binary fission in bacteria

3) Are based on a universal genetic code  All living things are composed of DNA!!!!

4) Grow and develop  from the ZYGOTE (single cell) into a MULTICELLULAR organism through cell division

5) Obtain and use materials and energy  some organisms are AUTOTROPHIC (can make food for themselves) and some are HETEROTROPHIC (must obtain their food from some other source) Is this tree autotrophic or heterotrophic?? What about this lion: autotrophic or heterotrophic??

6) Respond to stimulus in the environment

7) Maintain a stable internal environment  also known as HOMEOSTASIS When we are hot, we sweat to help evaporate heat off of our skin! When we are cold, we shiver to generate body heat! ** We are also able to regulate pH levels, blood sugar levels, and anything else that needs to be regulated within our bodies!!**

8) Change over time through natural selection  species change over time because of ADAPTATIONS that better enable them to survive their ENVIRONMENTS.