WHAT IS BIOLOGY?

BIOLOGY is the study of life. It comes from the Greek words: BIO- (life) and LOGOS (study)

Why do you think is important to study Biology? 1. To help protects endangered species 2. To advance in the solution of medical problems 3. To understand our bodies better 4. To protect the environment 5. …

Other Sciences: ZOOLOGY   Study of animals

BOTANY   Study of Plants

MICROBIOLOGY   Study of microorganisms (bacteria, virus…)

ECOLOGY  Study of the relation of the organisms and their environment

GEOLOGY  Study of the Earth’s surface (mountains, volcanoes, minerals…)

PALEONTOLOGY  Study of fossils

CLIMATOLOGY  Study of clime (weather)

HYDROLOGY  Study of water resources (rivers, lakes, oceans…)

GEOGRAPHY   Study of maps, populations, countries economics…

ANTHROPOLOGY Study of human populations

CHEMISTRY   Study of chemical interactions

WHAT DOES “ TO BE ALIVE” MEAN?

1. LIVING THINGS ARE ORGANIZED  All living things are made of cells (UNICELLULAR or MULTICELLULAR) 1. Atoms (ex: Hydrogen) 2. Molecules (ex: water H 2 O) 3. Cells (ex: Bacteria) 4. Tissue (ex: skin)

5. Organ (ex. Liver) 6. System (ex. Digestive system) 7. Organisms (ex: a human) 8. Population (ex: a group of lions) 9. Community (ex: lions+ zebras+ hyenas) 10. Ecosystem (ex: lions+ zebras+ hyenas+ trees+ mountains+ air) 11. Biosphere (All places where Living things are found. Ex: The planet Earth)

2. LIVING THINGS MAKE MORE LIVING THINGS REPRODUCTION (Production of more offspring). SPECIES: Group of organisms that CAN INTERBREED and produce FERTILE offspring.

Ex:

CAN A GREAT DANE AND A CHIHUAHUA INTERBREED?

CAN A HORSE AND A DONKEY INTERBREED?

  MULE (FEMALE HORSE+ MALE DONKEY).   MULES CAN NOT REPRODUCE. DONKEYS AND HORSES ARE NOT THE SAME SPECIES.

CAN A LION AND A TIGER INTERBREED?

  LIGER (LION+ TIGER)   THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE. TIGERS AND LIONS ARE NOT THE SAME SPECIES.

3. LIVING THINGS NEED ENERGY Some organisms such as Plants use SUNLIGHT as the source of energy (Photosynthesis) Animals need TO EAT (SUGARS) to get the energy that they need. Once the sugars are used, they release GAS into the air (CO2) Energy is used to grow, move, reproduce…

4. LIVING THINGS CHANGE DURING THEIR LIVES GAMETES (male and female) The organisms GROWS and DEVELOPS taking the characteristics of its species SPERM EGG CELL

Is it the same to grow than to develop? NO GROW: The increase in mass or dimensions of an organism with time. DEVELOP: To change the characteristics of an organisms. To mature.

5. LIVING THINGS ADJUST TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT All living things interact with the environment in which they live. STIMULUS (stimuli): It is any condition in the environment that requires an organism to adjust. RESPONSE: The reaction to a stimulus.

Ex: 1. What does the bear do when it is cold?   HIBERNATE (Stimulus: To be cold/ Response: Hibernate) 2. What does the deer do when notes the presence of the deer hunter? 3. What do humans do when they are cold? 4. What do humans do when they are hot?

Animals must maintain certain body conditions in order to survive. HOMEOSTASIS: Internal regulation of an organism to maintain the conditions needed to survive. Ex: Shiver, sweat, to be thirsty…

5. LIVING THINGS ADAPT AND EVOLVE ADAPTATION: Any structure or behavior that enables an organism to better survive. Ex: White fur in polar bears And black skin

  Ex: Orquids that resemble insects

Birds have hollow spongy bones so that they will be light enough to fly

Arctic animals have layers of fat and thick coats of fur to keep warm.

Activity: Try the following actions WITHOUT USING YOUR THUMB: A. Tie a knot in a piece of string. B. Remove one shoe and replace it on your foot. C. Unbutton two buttons and button them again. D. Write your name on a piece of paper.

Humans are adapted for the things they do. Ex: Our hand. Humans, monkeys or gorillas, have a hand that can grasp objects.

EVOLUTION: Gradual accumulation of adaptation over time in a species.