Biology What’s it all about? Unit 1 Biology What’s it all about?

Unit 1 Objectives Define the field of Biology Describe what is studied in some of the branches of Biology State characteristics of living things Describe each level of organization of living things and provide examples. Describe the scientific method Understand the difference between observations and inferences Describe tools scientists use.

MCAS Frameworks 1.1 Recognize that biological organisms are composed primarily of very few elements. The six most common are C, H, N, O, P, and S. 1.2 Describe the basic molecular structures and primary functions of the four major categories of organic molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids). 1.3 Explain the role of enzymes as catalysts that lower the activation energy of biochemical reactions. Identify factors, such as pH and temperature, that have an effect on enzymes.

B I O L O G Y Biology is the branch of science studying living things. Word origin: bio- = life -logy = study Biologists are scientist who use the scientific method to study living things

What is YOUR definition of Science? Think – Pair - Share

Science: A way of using organized evidence to learn about the world. Goal of Science: to investigate and understand nature, to explain events in nature, and to use those explanations to make useful predictions

Science….. Deals only with the natural world Scientists collect and organize info into a careful organized fashion looking for patterns and connections between events. Scientists propose explanations that can be tested by examining evidence

What is EVIDENCE? Evidence is objective, non-biased information Synonyms? Based on observations and recorded as data

No single characteristic is enough to describe a living thing Living things??? No single characteristic is enough to describe a living thing Additionally, some nonliving things share traits with living things

Take Five Break into groups of 3-4 and write down how you tell if something is LIVING Then list on board Are rocks living?

So….what are living things? Living things have 8 characteristics in common Organization Reproduce Grow and develop Are based on a genetic code Need energy Respond to their environment Maintain a stable internal environment. Change over time.

1. Organization Living things exhibit a high level of organization multicellular organisms are divided into cells Cells are made of organelles, Organelles are made of molecules

Not Living

All cells come from existing cells = must have some way of reproducing 2. Reproduce All cells come from existing cells = must have some way of reproducing asexual (no recombination of genetic material) sexual (recombination of genetic material). Must occur for species to continue

3. Growth and Development All organisms grow Cells grow and develop into mature cells Organisms get bigger, physically change size & shape Ex: tadpoles, caterpillars

Organisms inherit their DNA (genes) from their ancestors 4. Genetic Code Organisms inherit their DNA (genes) from their ancestors Pass this DNA to their offspring (heredity)

5. Need Energy Energy is essential to life One view of life is that it is a struggle to acquire energy (from sunlight, inorganic chemicals, or another organism), and release it.

6. Response to Stimuli Detection and response to stimuli from their surrounding environment (both internal and external). Receive info via senses Example: cheetah responds to the need for food by chasing the gazelle. The gazelle responds by running away.

The level of the sugar glucose in your blood is an example of an internal stimulus. If this level gets low your body responds by making you feel hungry.

7. Maintain a stable internal environment All organisms keep internal conditions stable by a process called homeostasis Homeostasis, or balance, is the maintenance of a constant internal environment in terms of temperature, pH, water concentrations, etc.

homeostasis Humans perspire to prevent body temperature from rising too high Evaporation of sweat from the skin surface has a cooling effect . Hence, in hot weather, or when the individual's muscles heat up due to exertion, more sweat is produced

8. Change over Time Adaptations are inherited changes that occur over time that help a species survive. Charles Darwin first recognized the adaptations organisms make in order to exist in their environment.  EVOLUTION Ex: tropical orchids have roots that are adapted to life in a soil-less environment

Biotic—living factors that influence an ecosystem Abiotic—non-living factors that influence an ecosystem and an organisms life. Temperature Moisture Light Soil

Abiotic or Biotic? Biotic

Abiotic or Biotic? Abiotic

Abiotic or Biotic? Abiotic

Abiotic or Biotic? Biotic

Zoology – study of animals Branches of Biology Zoology – study of animals zoologist, marine biologist, veterinary technician

Botany –study of plants: Branches of Biology Botany –study of plants: botanist

Mycology – Study of fungi Branches of Biology Mycology – Study of fungi

Ecology – Study of how living things interact with their environment Branches of Biology Ecology – Study of how living things interact with their environment ecologist, park ranger, environmentalist

Bacteriology – study of bacteria Branches of Biology Bacteriology – study of bacteria

Virology – study of viruses Branches of Biology Virology – study of viruses

Parasitology – study of parasites Branches of Biology Parasitology – study of parasites

Cytology – study of cells Branches of Biology Cytology – study of cells

Taxonomy – study of the classification of living organisms Branches of Biology Taxonomy – study of the classification of living organisms

Herpetology – study of reptiles & amphibians Branches of Biology Herpetology – study of reptiles & amphibians

Entomology – study of insects Branches of Biology Entomology – study of insects

Embryology – study of the early development of organisms Branches of Biology Embryology – study of the early development of organisms

Branches of Biology Microbiology – study of microscopic life: either a single cell, a cell cluster, or has no cells at all. Fungi, protists, virus,

Anatomy – Study of an organism’s structure Branches of Biology Anatomy – Study of an organism’s structure

Physiology – study of the functions of organism’s Branches of Biology Physiology – study of the functions of organism’s

Genetics – study of heredity. DNA Branches of Biology Genetics – study of heredity. DNA

Levels of Organization In unicellular (single-celled) organisms, the single cell performs all life functions. It functions independently. However, multicellular (many celled) organisms have various levels of organization within them. Individual cells may perform specific functions and also work together for the good of the entire organism. The cells become dependent on one another

Levels of Organization Living things may be studied on many different levels. Levels of organization range from simple to complex: Cells Tissues Organs Organ Systems Organisms Population Community Ecosystem Biosphere

Levels of Organization Cells Are the basic unit of structure and function in living things. May serve a specific function within the organism Examples- blood cells, nerve cells, bone cells, etc.

Levels of Organization 2. Tissues Made up of cells that are similar in structure and function and which work together to perform a specific activity Examples - blood, nervous, bone, etc. Humans have 4 basic tissues: connective, epithelial, muscle, and nerve.

Levels of Organization 3. Organs Made up of tissues that work together to perform a specific activity Examples - heart, brain, skin, etc.

Levels of Organization 4. Organ Systems Groups of two or more tissues that work together to perform a specific function for the organism. The Human body has 11 organ systems: circulatory, digestive, endocrine, excretory (urinary), immune(lymphatic), integumentary, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, and skeletal.

Levels of Organization 5. Organisms Living things that can carry out all basic life processes: take in materials, release energy from food, release wastes, grow, respond to the environment, reproduce etc… Usually made up of organ systems, but an organism may be made up of only one cell such as bacteria or protist.

Levels of Organization 6. Population Group of organisms of one species that can interbreed and live in the same place at the same time.

Levels of Organization 7. Community Populations of different species that live together in a defined area, interacting with each other and their environment

Levels of Organization 8. Ecosystem An ecosystem is made up of plants, animals, microorganisms, soil, rocks, minerals, water sources and the local atmosphere interacting with one another.

Levels of Organization 9. Biosphere (1) The part of the earth where living things exist. (2) The part of the earth (or planet) that is capable of supporting life. (3) The living things and their environment. (4) All of the ecosystems of the earth.

Review as a class! Match Characteristics of Life terms http://www.quia.com/mc/9224.html Who Wants to be a Millionaire: Various fields of science http://www.quia.com/rr/110408.html Scientific Method: Review the steps http://www.quia.com/pp/46288.html?AP_rand=2026 16648

Apply it! Individual Activity On a blank piece of paper draw an example of a living thing. Be sure to list: What it eats Where it lives How it communicates with other organisms How it senses stimuli from the environment How you think it maintains homeostasis How this particular organism has changed over time or will possibly change in the future. How it reproduces