The Study of Life Chapter One Biology

Biosphere the regions of the surface, atmosphere, and hydrosphere of the earth (or analogous parts of other planets) occupied by living organisms.

Biodiversity and Conservation What is biodiversity? Biodiversity is the variety of life in an area that is determined by the number of different species in that area. Biodiversity increases the stability of an ecosystem and contributes to the health of the biosphere.

The Importance of Biodiversity Biodiversity and Conservation The Importance of Biodiversity Most of the world’s food crops come from just a few species. Wild species serve as reservoirs of desirable genetic traits that might be needed to improve domestic crop species. Teosinte plant Domestic corn plant

Biodiversity and Conservation Scientists continue to find new extracts from plants and other organisms that help in the treatment of human diseases. Madagascar periwinkle

oxygen to the atmosphere and remove carbon dioxide. Biodiversity and Conservation A healthy biosphere provides many services to humans and other organisms that live on Earth. Green plants provide oxygen to the atmosphere and remove carbon dioxide. Natural processes provide drinking water that is safe for human use.

A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which two individuals can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction.

All organisms share certain characteristics Made up of cells—cellular organization Need for energy—metabolism, homeostasis Heredity Response to the environment and stimuli Reproduction, growth, and development Adaptation through evolution .

Unifying Themes of Biology All levels of life have systems of related parts Six unifying Themes of Biology. Cell Structure & Function, Stability &Homeostasis, Reproduction & Inheritance, Evolution  Interdependence of Organisms Matter, Energy, & Organization.

Ecosystem A physical environment with different species that interact with one another (biotic) and with nonliving things (abiotic)

Structure and Function are Related

Homestasis The maintenance of constant internal conditions in an organism

Evolution explains the unity and diversity of life Adaptation Unity Diversity

Why study biology? Your health and the health of the environment depends upon it

Bio Tech impacts Biological Risks or Benefits? GMO—genitically manipulated organisms Transgenic---altered copies of their own genes Benefits—human genetic screening Ethics—view Ethics in Science https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNbAk7FVb5M&scrlybrkr