Section 1:1 Main Ideas Explain where the biosphere is and describe the variety of life that exists within the biosphere. What characteristics are shared by all living things?

Biosphere All living things and the places they live Every part connected Includes these environments: Land Saltwater and freshwater Portions of the atmosphere

Biodiversity Variety of life Increases from poles to equator Why is it greatest at the equator?

Species Type of living thing that can reproduce by interbreeding among themselves About 2 million identified ½ of all known = insects 10,000 new species/year 5,000 die out/year

Biology Study of all forms of life, organisms What is an organism? How do you determine if something is living or non-living?

Is a cloud alive? List characteristics that support the fact that a cloud is living. List characteristics that do NOT support the fact that a cloud is living.

Characteristics of Life All organisms made of cells basic unit of life All organisms need a source of energy. Energy is used for metabolism All organisms react to their environment. Respond to stimuli Must have ability to produce new individuals or reproduce. Pass genetic information to their offspring ● Organisms grow and develop ● Organisms must maintain homeostasis

Compare the evidence that you listed before to decide how to answer this question. Use the characteristics of life we just went over to see if you come to the same conclusion. Is a cloud alive?

Section 1:1 Main Ideas Explain where the biosphere is and describe the variety of life that exists within the biosphere. What characteristics are shared by all living things?

Section 1:2 Main Idea Summarize the four major unifying themes of biology.

Unifying Themes of Biology: #1 All levels of life have systems of related parts –Arrangement and interaction of parts –Chemicals and processes interact –Two organisms interact –Biological systems (ecosystem)

Structure and function are related. –At level of chemicals in cells. –At cellular level-types of cells. –At level of whole organism. –Structures of each determine the function of the parts or the whole entity. Unifying Themes of Biology: #2

Organisms must maintain homeostasis to survive in diverse environments. –Temperature and environments change –Must maintain constant internal conditions –Negative feedback helps homeostasis –Behaviors influenced by homeostasis Unifying Themes of Biology: #3

Evolution explains the unity and diversity of life. –Living things change over time –Adaptation- passing on favorable genes –Change occurs as species adapt –Evolution causes similarities and differences –Species are ALL related, evolve differently Unifying Themes of Biology: #4

Section 1:2 Main Idea Summarize the four major unifying themes of biology.

Section 1:3 Main Idea Identify the different elements of scientific inquiry.

Effect of Fertilizers on Plant Growth Problem: Hypothesis: Variables and Constants: Independent variable- Dependent variable- Constants- How does the amount of fertilizer affect plant growth? If plants need the nutrient nitrogen to grow, then plants given more fertilizer with nitrogen will grow taller, because an increase in nitrogen will increase the plants’ growth rate. Amount of fertilizer (g) Height of each plant (cm) Temperature, soil, size of pot, amount of light, time, amount of water given, time when growth measured

Conclusion: The hypothesis that stated that plants given more fertilizer would grow taller was accepted. The data shows that adding more fertilizer increased the height of the plants. From day 0 to day 21 the group that was given 5 g of fertilizer grew an average of 7.8 cm and the group that was given 10 g of fertilizer grew an average of 8.17 cm. The control group grew an average of 4.63 cm over the 21 days.

Comments on Validity: What could be done to improve the experiment? What known errors were committed? Did the control group support the experiment? What future investigations can be conducted?