AP Biology What is Biology? How do we study it? What is Biology? How do we study it?

Biology- the Science of Life Name some ways that Biology is relevant to society today.

What is living and what is not? Organisms are composed of cells Organisms grow and develop

What is living and what is not? Organisms regulate their metabolic processes Movement is a basic property of cells

What is living and what is not? Organisms respond to stimuli Organisms reproduce Populations evolve and become adapted to the environment

Genes Proteins Hormones Neurotransmitters

Hierarchical Reductionism

Levels of Organization Chemical level- atoms and molecules Cellular level- prokaryotic and eukaryotic

Levels of Organization Tissues- organization of cells Organs- organization of tissues

Levels of Organization Organ Systems- organization of organs Organism- organization of organ systems

Populations Biosphere Community Ecology Ecosystem

Systematics- studies the diversity of organisms and their evolutionary relationships Taxonomy- the science of naming and classifying organisms

Taxonomy is hierarchical Kingdoms are broken down into phyla, class, orders, families, genera, and species

Archaea Eubacteria Eukarya

Two domains are dedicated to prokaryotes (organisms whose cells lack nuclei and other membrane-bound organelles) Archaea Eubacteria

One domain is dedicated to eukaryotes (organisms whose cells have nuclei and other membrane-bound organelles) Eukarya

EubacteriaFungi Archaea Plantae Protista Animalia

Eubacteria consists of bacteria

Archaea- unique group of prokaryotic organisms that have been split off from the bacterial kingdom

Protista- protozoans and algae

Developed the binomial nomenclature used today to classify organisms

Fungi- mushrooms, molds, and yeasts

Plantae- plants (duh!)

Animalia- animals, of course!

For many, evolution is the primary unifying concept in the study of biology. Species adapt in response to changes in the environment. Natural selection is an important mechanism by which evolution proceeds Darwin Wallace

Populations can also evolve as a result of selective pressures from changes in the environment.

Biology is Studied Using the Scientific Method

Science is based on systematic thought processes Science includes both deductive and inductive reasoning

Experimental and control group Ideally differs by only one variable- the variable being studied

Used in medical studies. Neither the patient nor the physician know who is getting the experimental treatment– use to prevent bias.

Scientists draw conclusions from the results of experiments. Sampling error may lead to inaccuracy.

Hypothesis Theory A well- supported hypothesis may lead to a theory

A theory that is nearly universally accepted

A statement about a relationship that never changes/varies (ex. the law of gravity)

Energy flows through individual cells and organisms Cellular respiration produces energy for most cells

Energy flows through ecosystems Energy flows from producers to consumers and decomposers

Producers manufacture their own food Producers (autotrophs) are typically photosynthetic

Consumers obtain energy by eating producers Consumers (heterotrophs) depend on the producers

Decomposers obtain energy from wastes and dead organisms Important decomposers include bacteria and fungi