1 Introduction to Biology: Basic Biological Principles

Cell Structure and Function Describe the characteristics exhibited by all living things Big Ideas (To Understand) All organisms on earth share common characteristics of life. Keystone Anchor Descriptor: BIO.A.1.1 Explain the characteristics common to all organisms. Eligible Content: BIO.A Describe the characteristics of life shared by all prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms Anchor Descriptor: BIO.A.1.2 Describe relationships between structure and function at biological levels of organization. Eligible Content: BIO.A Describe and interpret relationships between structure and function at various levels of biological organization (i.e., organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and multicellular organisms).

1. Common characteristics of life: composed of one or more units called cells obtain and use matter and energy to carry out their life processes reproduce and pass their genetic material on to the next generation seek to maintain a biological balance between their internal and external environments grow, develop and eventually die detect and respond to stimuli adapt and evolve at the population level 2. Levels of biological organization from organelle to multicellular organism Organelle Cell Tissue Organ Organ System Multicellular Organism

Key Vocabulary science biology multicellular unicellular prokaryotic cell eukaryotic cell stimuli adapt evolve population organelle cell tissue organ organ system multicellular organism cell chloroplast endoplasmic reticulum (ER) endosymbiosis golgi apparatus mitochondrion nucleus organelles plastids ribosome

Introduction to Biology Biology: The study of life Life arose more than 3.5 billion years ago in Archean eon of Precambrian period First organisms (living things) were single celled (unicellular); Only life on Earth for millions of years Organisms changed over time (evolved) First multicellular organisms arose in the Proterozoic eon of Precambrian period between 550 million and 2.5 billion years ago!

Introduction to Biology New organisms arose from older kinds ! Today, estimates suggest 10 – 100 million organisms may exist!!!!!!!!! Only 1.5 million of these have been named! 99% of organisms that EVER existed may already be extinct, having never been identified and named!! 99% of all animal species are smaller than bumble bees! Organisms inhabit almost EVERY region of the Earth today!

What are the characteristics of life?

Characteristics of Living Things All living things… 1. reproduce (sexually or asexually). 2. are made of cells (uni- or multicellular). 3. have DNA, the universal genetic code. 4. are homeostatic. (stable internal environment 5. adapt. (change over time) 6. respond to stimuli 7. have a source of energy. (autotrophic vs. heterotrophic) 8. grow.

The Characteristics of Life All living things…. …no matter how different from each other they may be…. ….share a set of common characteristics.

….are made up of units called cells.

Organization and Cells All living things are composed of one or more cells Cells are the smallest units that can perform all life’s processes In multicellular organisms, many are specialized to perform specific functions Cells are always very small The size of multi-celled organisms depends on the number of cells NOT their size

Organization and Cells, cont. Organized at both the molecular and cellular levels Take in substances from the environment and organize them in complex ways Specific cell structures (organelles) carry out particular functions Can be unicellular (bacteria) or multicellular (humans)

In multicellular organisms, cells and groups of cells are organized by their function (hierarchy of life) Atom  Biological Molecule  Organelle  Cell  Tissue  Organ  Organ System  Organism

The specialized cells of multicellular organisms are organized into an organ system, as shown. A tissue is a group of similar cells that perform a particular function. Many tissues work together as an organ to complete complicated tasks. A group of organs that work together to perform a specific function is called an organ system. The Venn diagram to the right consists of four concentric circles. In your notes, complete the diagram to show the Relationships among four levels of organization of life. Use the terms cells, organ, organ system, and tissue. See if you can include the level of organization called “organism” in the Venn diagram. Show where it would be added. The diagram to the left shows a few of the different types of cells found in your body. Luckily, the cells in our body are specialized. Some cells are specialized to move, to react to the environment; still others to produce substance that the organism needs. Each of these specialized cells contributes to homeostasis in the organism. Describe how cells of a multicellular organism are like a baseball team, or choose any type of team you like.

….reproduce.

Reproduction Production of new organisms is essential for the continuation of a species Hereditary information is transferred to offspring during two kinds of reproduction Sexual reproduction – hereditary information recombines from two organisms of the same species Asexual reproduction – hereditary information from different organisms is not combined ~ original and new organisms are genetically the same

….are based on a universal genetic code called DNA.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Living things are based on a universal genetic code Based on 1 molecule that is almost identical in every organism on earth: DNA

….grow and develop.

Growth and Development All living things grow and increase in size from the division and enlargement of cells Development is the process by which an organism becomes a mature adult; involves cell division and cell differentiation, or specialization

….obtain and use materials and energy.

Metabolism The sum of all the chemical reactions that take in and transform energy and materials from the environment PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Metabolism ALL energy comes from the SUN (directly or indirectly) Photosynthesis is the process by which some organisms capture the energy from the sun (solar) and transform it into energy (chemical) that can be used by living things PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Metabolism Organisms that make their own food are called autotrophs Phototrophs – use solar energy (photosynthesis) to get energy Convert H 2 O and CO 2 into sugar and O2 Chemotrophs – use different chemical processes to get energy Organisms that must take in food to meet their energy needs are called heterotrophs Consume autotrophs (herbivores), other heterotrophs (carnivores) or both (omnivores) for their energy needs Complex chemicals are broken down and reassembled into chemicals and structures needed by organisms

ON YOUR OWN 1.Classify the following organisms as herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores: a. tigers b. cows c. humans d. sheep 2. Classify the following organisms as producers, consumers, or decomposers: a.rose bushes b. yeast (a fungus) b.c. lions d. humans

….respond to their environment.

Response to Stimuli Organisms can respond to a stimulus, or a physical or chemical change in the internal or external environment

….maintain a stable internal environment in a process called homeostasis. Homeostasis is the balance between cells and their environment.

Homeostasis The maintenance of a stable level of internal conditions even though environmental conditions are constantly changing, e.g., body temperature, water content, glucose levels

….evolve, or change, over time.

Evolution or Change Through Time Populations of living organisms evolve or change through time to better adapt to changing conditions Charles Darwin’s SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST through the process of natural selection

Evolution of Life Descent with modification: process in which the inherited characteristics within populations change over generations, such that genetically distinct populations and new species can develop Natural Selection: organisms that have certain favorable traits are better able to survive and reproduce successfully than organisms that lack these traits Adaptations: traits that improve an individual’s ability to survive and reproduce

These characteristics of life are what tell biologists if something is living or non- living. Remember, biology literally means “Study of life”. Look at the images below. Each one is related to a characteristic of life. Some images may be related to more than one characteristic of life. See if you can match at least one characteristic of life to each image: A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I.

Structure and Function Structure and function is a central theme to the study of biology. Each major group of organisms has evolved its own particular body part “tool kit” – a collection of structures that have evolved in ways that make particular functions possible. From capturing food to digesting it, and from reproducing to breathing, organisms use structures that have evolved into different forms as species have adapted to life in different environments. The structure of wings, for example enable birds and insects to fly. The structures of legs enable horses to gallop and kangaroos to hop.

Examine the figure below that shows carnivore and herbivore skulls. Don’t forget to read the captions! Think about your own teeth. What kinds of foods do you think human teeth are suited for? List at least three ways the structure of human teeth serve the function of eating meat and plant material. Now, last but not least apply the theme of structure and function to something you’re very familiar with - your hands. List out all the ways you can think of that the structure of your hands serve the function of your hands. Hint – you are a primate!

1 st Level of Organization Organism: An individual living thing that is made of cells, uses energy, reproduces, responds, grows, and developsOrganism: An individual living thing that is made of cells, uses energy, reproduces, responds, grows, and develops Want more? How about the whole hierarchy of Life from the organism on……

2 nd Level of Organization Population: A group of organisms, all of the same species, which interbreed and live in the same place at the same time.Population: A group of organisms, all of the same species, which interbreed and live in the same place at the same time.

3 rd Level of Organization BiologicalBiological Community: All the populations of different species that live in the same place at the same time and interact (solely biotic in terms of composition). Community: All the populations of different species that live in the same place at the same time and interact (solely biotic in terms of composition).

4 th Level of Organization Ecosystem: Populations of plants and animals that interact with each other in a given area, along with the abiotic components (physical and chemical) of that area. [ terrestrial or aquatic]Ecosystem: Populations of plants and animals that interact with each other in a given area, along with the abiotic components (physical and chemical) of that area. [ terrestrial or aquatic]

5 th Level of Organization Biosphere: Broadest, most inclusive level, i.e., the thin volume of Earth and its atmosphere that supports life (5 to 6 miles above surface to deepest part of the oceans)Biosphere: Broadest, most inclusive level, i.e., the thin volume of Earth and its atmosphere that supports life (5 to 6 miles above surface to deepest part of the oceans) Earth:apple::biosphere:skin of appleEarth:apple::biosphere:skin of apple

Interdependence of Organisms Ecology: branch of biology that studies organisms interacting with each other and with the environment Ecosystems: communities of living species and their physical environments; e.g., minerals, nutrients, water, gases, heat, etc.

THEMES IN BIOLOGY Diversity and Unity Unity in the Diversity of Life Three Domains of Life Interdependence of Organisms Evolution of Life Natural Selection

Unity in the Diversity of Life Genetic code: rules that govern how cells use the hereditary information in DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid – makes up our genes or instructions for life) Presence of organelles: carry out all cellular activities “Tree of Life” – suggests all living things have descended with modification from a single common ancestor; thus, all of life is connected

Three Domains of Life Bacteria Kingdom Bacteria (Eubacteria) Archaea Kingdom Archaea (Archaebacteria) Eukarya Kingdom Animalia Kingdom Plantae Kingdom Fungi Kingdom Protists Our modern system of classification contains the following categories starting with the most BROAD and ending with the most SPECIFIC

DomainArchaea, Bacteria, Eukarya KingdomArchaebacteria, Eubacteria, Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Similar species are placed together into a common genus. Similar genera are placed together into a common family.

To make sure that you can remember the names and orders of this classification system, you can use the following mnemonic: King Philip Cried Out, “For Goodness Sake!”

In order to correctly identify each living thing, a universally accepted scientific name is given to each organism. The scientific name is constructed by using the genus name and the species name for that organism. The scientific name for human is Homo sapien, because we are in the genus, Homo, and the species, sapien. This is referred to as “binomial nomenclature.”