What is Biology?

100 greatest discoveries biology

Characteristics of Living Things 1. All life forms consist of one or more cells

Characteristics of Living Things 2. All living things reproduce

Characteristics of living things 3. All living things have a genetic code (DNA)

Characteristics of Living Things 4. All living things grow and develop

Characteristics of Living Things 5. All living things take in and use energy

Characteristics of Living Things 6. All living things respond to their environment

Characteristics of Living Things 7. All living things maintain an internal balance ** Homeostasis** Shiver, sweat, thirst, hunger Lung capacity at higher elevations

Characteristics of Living Things 8. All living things evolve over time

What is Biology? Bio = life ology= to study Biology is the study of living organisms

The Science of Biology Key aspects: Cells Genetics DNA Evolution Ecology Organisms

Why study biology?? To understand how and why life is diverse To understand how living things function and interact with each other To understand how living things interact with their environment To find solutions for conserving resources and sharing the planet

How society benefits from the study of biology Advances in medical treatments and disease prevention Learning more about how the human body functions Increase knowledge of human relationships Better understanding of how to sustain the web of life on Earth

Fields of Biology Zoology: animals Paleontology: ancient life Microbiology: microscopic organisms Ecology: organism and their environment Evolution: creation of new species Genetics: DNA and heredity Botany: plants Entomology: insects Biochemistry: chemistry of living organisms Physiology: how the body function Forensic science: crime solving Environmental science: humans and the environment

Levels of organization Atom: the smallest unit of matter that retains all of its properties Molecule: two or more atoms Organelle: a tiny organ inside of a cell that has a job Cell: the smallest unit of a living organism Tissue: a group of similar cells that perform a function Organ: tissues working together to perform a function

Levels of organization Organ system: a group of organs working together Organism: any living thing Population: members of the same species in the same area Community: all the living things in an area Ecosystem: all the living and non-living things in an area Biosphere: all the places on Earth where life exists