Unifying Principles of Biology Mr. Plazak

What is Biology? Biology is the study of living things or LIFE! What do all living things have in common? Movement? DNA? Cells?

Commonalities All living things have 6 characteristics. These are found in all living things from baby to adult

1st Principle – Evolution Natural Selection- facilitator of evolution – characteristics most favorable – live on. ALL living “things” have evolved or are currently evolving. These changes eventually lead to changes and different populations that have diverse characteristics.

2nd Principle - Homeostasis Ability of organisms to maintain an internal balance. All organisms “control” their internal systems in response to their surroundings. Examples: sweating, stomata, anoles, adrenaline, shivering.

3rd Principle - Organization All living systems are highly organized forms of matter. Most living things are made up of mostly just a few atoms – carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, phosphorus and sulfur Cells- the basic structural unit of living matter.

cont’d Organization… All living things NEED energy! Energy is needed to build and repair highly organized structures – cells! Dead things have their organization broken down.

4th Principle - Continuity The ability of an organism to transfer it’s DNA, and give it to it’s offspring – REPRODUCTION! Sexual or asexual. Genetic information is carried/stored by DNA – a long and complex molecule. DNA is just a rearrangement of the same pieces and parts – wardrobe ex.

5th Principle - Development The ability of an organism to grow and develop. Change of formation/function of structures. Ex. – humans and plants, p. 126

6th Principle - Ecology All living things interact in a web of life. Some live in communities. Some help each other, others hurt. Interaction and Interdependence in living systems.

Classification of Living Organisms

Naming Things Swede botanist Carolus Linnaeus is credited for the current system – in Latin. The largest group will be the Kingdom – the 5 Kingdoms…ex. Animalia The organism is then sub-divided into a phylum of that kingdom…ex. Chordata

…cont’d Naming After a phylum – divided into a class with similar characteristics….ex. Mammalia Class then divided into an order…ex. Carnivora

More Naming Order then divided into a family….ex. Canidae Family then divided into a Genus…ex. Canis Genus then sub divided into species…ex. familiaris

How to Remember King Kingdom Phillip Phylum Came Class Over Order For Family Grape Genus Soda Species