1 Evolution, the Themes of Biology, and Scientific Inquiry Lecture Presentation by Nicole Tunbridge and Kathleen Fitzpatrick
Response to the environment Figure 1.2 Order Regulation Reproduction Evolutionary adaptation Figure 1.2 Some properties of life Energy processing Response to the environment Growth and development
Theme: New Properties Emerge at Successive Levels of Biological Organization Life can be studied at different levels, from molecules to the entire living planet This enormous range can be divided into different levels of biological organization
6 Organs and Organ Systems 2 Ecosystems Figure 1.3 7 Tissues 1 The Biosphere 6 Organs and Organ Systems 2 Ecosystems 10 Mole- cules 3 Communities 8 Cells 5 Organisms Figure 1.3 Exploring levels of biological organization 9 Organelles 4 Populations
Figure 1.3a Figure 1.3a Exploring levels of biological organization (part 1: the biosphere) The Biosphere
Figure 1.3b Figure 1.3b Exploring levels of biological organization (part 2: ecosystems) Ecosystems
Figure 1.3c Figure 1.3c Exploring levels of biological organization (part 3: communities) Communities
Figure 1.3d Figure 1.3d Exploring levels of biological organization (part 4: populations) Populations
Figure 1.3e Figure 1.3e Exploring levels of biological organization (part 5: organisms) Organisms
Organs and Organ Systems Figure 1.3f Figure 1.3f Exploring levels of biological organization (part 6: organs and organ systems) Organs and Organ Systems
Figure 1.3g Figure 1.3g Exploring levels of biological organization (part 7: tissues) Tissues 50 µm
Figure 1.3h Cell 10 µm Figure 1.3h Exploring levels of biological organization (part 8: cells) Cells
Organelles Chloroplast 1 µm Figure 1.3i Figure 1.3i Exploring levels of biological organization (part 9: organelles) 1 µm Organelles
Molecules Atoms Chlorophyll molecule Figure 1.3j Figure 1.3j Exploring levels of biological organization (part 10: molecules) Molecules
Emergent Properties Emergent properties result from the arrangement and interaction of parts within a system Emergent properties characterize nonbiological entities as well For example, a functioning bicycle emerges only when all of the necessary parts connect in the correct way
Reductionism is the reduction of complex systems to simpler components that are more manageable to study For example, studying the molecular structure of DNA helps us to understand the chemical basis of inheritance
To explore emergent properties, biologists complement reductionism with systems biology, analysis of the interactions among the parts of a biological system