Unit 1 – Science Inquiry Biology

BIOLOGY – what is it?  Biology is the study of anything that was living or once was living

Characteristics of Life Characteristics of Life 1. Uses Energy: Ex: Respiration – obtaining O2, using O2, and removing CO2: Metabolism-obtaining nutrients from sun or other sources 2. Reproduction – making of a new individual: Ex, asexual vs sexual 3. Movement – refers to the self-initiated change in position or internal body parts 4. Responsiveness – sense change inside and outside of the body 5. Growth – increase in body size

levels of organization 1.Atoms 2.Molecules 3.Macromolecules 4.Organelles 5.Cells 6.Tissues (groups of cells working together) 7.Organ (groups of tissues working together to perform a particular task

levels of organization 8.Organ System (group of organs working together to perform a particular task) 9.Organism (groups of organ systems working together to make a whole 10.Population (interbreeding species) 11.Community (all species in a given area)

levels of organization 12. Ecosystem (biotic and abiotic) 13. Biosphere (all areas on earth that sustain life)

Jobs in a Community PRODUCERS: Organisms that make food in a community. Examples: Anything that uses photosynthesis to make food; trees, bushes, algae…

Jobs in a Community Primary Consumer: Animals that eat only plants (herbivore). Examples; Rabbit, Deer, Bird… Secondary Consumer: Animals that eat other animals (Carnivore or Omnivore) Examples: Owl, Human, Bear…

Jobs in the Community Decomposers: Living things that get their food from breaking down dead matter. Examples: Bacteria, Fungi… Importance: Without decomposers, the world would be covered in dead material, they are the RECYCLERS!

Domains  Archaebacteria  Eubacteria  Eukaryotes Archaebacteria stain in a geyser E. Coli Eukaryote Cell

Kingdoms  Archaebacteria  Eubacteria  Protists  Fungus  Plants  Animals

Kingdoms  Rankings – Organisms are grouped first by very broad characteristics; followed by more and more specific characteristics. –Kingdom – Group of similar phyla (plural for phylum) –Phylum – Group of similar classes –Class – Group of similar orders –Order – Group of similar families –Family – Group of similar Genera (plural of genus) –Genus – Group of similar species –Species – smallest taxa (group); ONLY the same species can breed and produce fertile offspring! –* Kingdom is the largest and Species is the smallest taxa

Example for Humans  KINGDOM Animalia  PHYLUM Chordata  CLASS Mammalia  ORDER Primates  FAMILY Hominidae  GENUSHomo  SPECIES sapiens

Scientific Method -Identify a Problem (question) -Collect Information about the problem Create Hypothesis -educated guess that must be testable -If / Then statements -Test Hypothesis (Experiment/procedure) -Make Observations (Data) -Come to a Conclusion Revise Hypothesis and Retest

Experimental Design  Must set up variables / controls to test the hypothesis  Constant Variables – available to compare results to (does not change)  Independent Variable – Variable that is purposely changed by the experimenter (Changes at a constant rate Ex: Time)  Dependent Variable – A variable that results from the independent variable  (changes happen based on the independent variable)  Experimental Error – Mistakes that may skew results  Sample Size – Larger the better

Scientific Inquiry  What is a Hypothesis? –Educated guess – Logic (what we think may happen)  What is a Theory? –In science…it is a logical / testable model –Tries to explain the event –Set of Hypothesis that are put together  What is a Law –Well document history of proven tests  Describes the event

Biology Terms  Evolution –Change in a population over time  Mutation –Change in the genetic makeup of an individual Survival of the Fittest: Organisms best suited to their environment will survive and reproduce  Natural Selection –Nature Chooses most suitable adaptations for the environment

Natural Selection   Natural Selection     Individuals vary in form, function and behavior   Adaptive, Environmentally affected traits     Out come of differences are in survival and “reproduction”     Leads to a better fit with prevailing environmental conditions