Themes in the Study of Life

Order Evolutionary adaptation Response to the environment Reproduction Growth and development Energy processing Regulation Fig. 1-3

 Order: Classification methods  Cellular Structure: the basic unit of life  Regulation: (homeostasis, positive & negative feedback)  Energy: use or transfer, autotroph or heterotroph  Evolutionary adaptation: the driving force in all Biological systems  Growth and Development: mitosis, meiosis, binary fission asexual in eukaryotic cells w/ mitosis & no mitosis in prokaryotic cells).  Reproduction: sexual, asexual, evolutionary importance  Response to the environment: environmental interaction with organism and environment: stimulus

 Atoms – CHNOPS  Molecules – two or more atoms grouped together  H2O, Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids  Organelles – grouped molecules with specialized functions in the cell  Nucleus, plastid, mitochondria etc.  Cells – unicellular (colonial) or multicellular  Prokaryotic – no nucleus or membrane bound organelles  Eukaryotic – nucleus and membrane bound organelles  Lowest level of organization that can perform all activities required for life  Tissues – group of cells with a similar structure and function  Xylem, phloem, nervous, muscle, epithelial etc.

 Organs – two or more tissue types grouped to perform a specific function  Root, stem, leaf, kidney, brain, heart etc.  Organ Systems – grouped organs to perform a body task  Water transport, digestion  Organism – individual living thing  Bacteria, Protists, Ameoba, Fungi – unicellular microorganisms  Plants, Animals, Fungi - multicellular  Population – a group of similar organisms in a defined area that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring  Species

 Community – different populations inhabiting the same area  Biotic Factors - living  Ecosystem – living organisms interacting with non-living factors in an environment  Biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) factors – nutrient cycling  Energy transfer – sunlight  producers (autotrophs)  consumers (heterotrophs)  Biosphere – sum of all the planets ecosystems  Land, water, atmosphere  Globe

 Oil Spill in the Gulf April 21, 2010  Biosphere effect: reduces biodiversity  Population Effect: Blue Fin Tuna lose 50% of spawning grounds worldwide, less food supply for humans  Organism Effect: Causes respiratory and nervous system problems in all organisms.  Cellular Effect: Causes cells to divide uncontrollably in organisms that live in the area = CANCER rates increase.

 Matter and energy flow through biological systems by being converted from one form to another.

 #1- cellular respiration - exhale  #2 - taken in by photosynthesis  #3 - into the soil by death and decomposition  #4- combustion fossil fuels.

 Form fits function:  Wide flat leaves are found in the tropics where plants photosynthesize year- round; pine trees have pointy needles to prevent water loss and freezing in the winter. yellow-pine-tree-1.jpg

 All life is based upon cellular structure.  Humans are using this knowledge to advance medicine. em-cells.jpg

 The molecule DNA codes for proteins, Proteins catalyze reactions that make cells unique.

 Positive Feedback  Then end product speeds up production  Blood platelets call over more blood platelets to stop bleeding  Negative Feedback  The end product stops production.  Sugar in blood causes insulin production, insulin reduces sugar levels in the blood, low sugar levels shut down insulin production. _800px.jpg /BI108_2002_Groups/pancstems/stemc ell/pancreas.gif

 Organisms have many similarities in biochemical structure and function. Ex. DNA, RNA, cytochrome C = Unity  Organisms have many different characteristics and lifestyles = Diveristy  Evolution is the underlying process that allows these two conflicting ideas to co-exist  AP Biology is taught from an evolutionary perspective, based on the college board requirements and your text.  Organisms have ancestors in common  Modifications evolved based on selective pressures in the environment. An antelope that is genetically able to run faster will survive predation and pass that characteristic on to it’s offspring.

Fig Population with varied inherited traits. Elimination of individuals with certain traits. Reproduction of survivors. Increasing frequency of traits that enhance survival and reproductive success

 Bacteria: (Prokaryotic) E Coli.  Archaea: (Prokaryotic) live in extreme environments  Eukarya: (Eukaryotic) Plants, Animals, Protists, fungus

 Observations lead to data  Jane Goodall and her decades long research on chimpanzee behavior

 Hypothesis: A prediction based on observation, this explains WHY!  Must be testable and falsifiable, we’re trying to prove it wrong!  If a hypothesis is well tested over time it will become a theory.  Data:  Qualitative: Observation  Quantitative: Measurements typically #’s