AP Biology Study of Life Themes 2007-2008

Themes Science as a process of inquiry Evolution Energy transfer AP Biology Themes Science as a process of inquiry questioning & investigation Evolution Energy transfer Continuity & Change Relationship of structure to function Regulation Interdependence in nature Science, technology & society

Science as a process of inquiry AP Biology Science as a process of inquiry

Science as a process of inquiry AP Biology Science as a process of inquiry Built on repeatable observations & testable, falsifiable hypotheses

AP Biology Evolution Core theme of biology Charles Darwin

Organisms don’t adapt; Organisms have adaptations. AP Biology Natural selection Evolutionary change is a product of the process of natural selection Organisms don’t adapt; Organisms have adaptations.

"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." AP Biology "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." Theodosius Dobzhansky: Integrating Genetics and Evolution Theodosius Dobzhansky, a Russian geneticist who moved to the United States, provided laboratory evidence for natural selection and variation where previously there had been only field observation. Dobzhansky's work with Drosophila, or fruit flies, provided new evidence that supported Darwin's theory that natural selection, acting on genetic variation in populations, is a driving force in evolution. -- Theodosius Dobzhansky March 1973 Geneticist, Columbia University (1900-1975) 2007-2008

Evolution explains unity & diversity AP Biology Evolution explains unity & diversity Unity what do organisms have in common & why do similarities exist? common biochemistry & physiology evolutionary relationships connected through common ancestor Diversity but why are there differences? natural selection adaptations allow different individuals to survive in different environments

AP Biology

Organizing systems Making sense out of the diversity AP Biology Organizing systems Making sense out of the diversity Hierarchical scheme Eastern gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis

3 Domains of Life Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya Bacteria Archaea Eukarya AP Biology 3 Domains of Life Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya Bacteria Archaea Eukarya

Energy transfer Life is an open system need input of energy AP Biology Energy transfer Life is an open system need input of energy energy flows through energy comes in, energy goes out need a constant input need input of materials nutrients are recycled around & around nutrients ENTROPY RULES! DECOMPOSERS RULE, too!

You think they’re eating… They’re harvesting energy! AP Biology Energy utilization You think they’re eating… They’re harvesting energy!

You can make more, a lot like you! AP Biology Continuity & change Continuity of life is based on heritable information in the form of DNA DNA – the genetic material – carries biological information from one generation to the next T R A I You can make more, a lot like you!

AP Biology Form follows function The alignment of structure & function is seen at all levels of biology organ organism cell organelle

AP Biology Regulation Organisms need to maintain a “steady state” in the face of changing conditions maintain homeostasis achieve this through feedback monitor the body like a thermostat turn on when it’s needed, off when its not

Interdependence No organism is an island standing alone AP Biology Interdependence No organism is an island standing alone communities, ecosystems

Science, technology & society AP Biology Science, technology & society Science & technology must function within the rules of society ethics

Themes Science as a process of inquiry Evolution Energy transfer AP Biology Themes Science as a process of inquiry questioning & investigation Evolution Energy transfer Continuity & Change Relationship of structure to function Regulation Interdependence in nature Science, technology & society

Why study themes of Biology? AP Biology Why study themes of Biology? Biology is an ever expanding body of knowledge too much to memorize it all need to generalize create a framework upon which to organize new knowledge themes are the key to understanding the nature of living organisms

AP Biology ANY QUESTIONS? 2007-2008