Themes of Biology and Characteristics of Life

What is Biology?  Biology is the study of life  Bio= Life  Ology- Study of

Themes in Biology  Seven recurring themes that you will encounter in this course:  Stability and homeostasis  Evolution  Reproduction and Inheritance  Structure and Function  Development  Energy Relationships  Ecology

Stability and Homeostasis  Homeostasis  The maintaining of very stable internal conditions  Can you give me examples of homeostasis?

Evolution  Evolution is species changing over time  Happens over a very long period of time  Evolution is the unifying theme of biology

Reproduction and Inheritance  All living organisms come from other living organisms  Through the transmission of genetic material  Types of reproduction  Asexual- No exchange of genetic material (produces clones)  Sexual- Combining of genetic material from two different organisms

Structure and Function  Structures of organisms are almost always related to specific functions that allow the organism to survive in their environment  Can you give me some examples of where this is true?

Development  All organisms are composed of and develop from cells  Two types of organisms:  Unicellular- Composed of only one cell  Multicellular- Composed of more than one cells

Energy Relationships  All organisms use energy  Organisms can make their own energy (autotrophs)  Organisms must “eat” other organisms in order to gain energy (heterotrophs)

Ecology  Ecology is the study of interactions of organisms with each other and their environment

Characteristics of Life

 ALL organisms on the planet share the EXACT same eight characteristics of life  If one or more characteristics is missing, then is not considered living

Characteristics of Life 1. All organisms are made up of at least one cell 2. Highly organized 1. Individual Cells- Specific cell structures called organelles carry out specific functions 2. Multicellular organisms- Organized into: Tissues  Organs  Organ Systems  Organisms

Characteristics of Life 3. Uses energy through metabolism 4. Responds to the environment (from a stimulus) 5. Grows and develops

Characteristics of Life 6. Maintains homeostasis 7. Reproduces 8. Adapts to its surroundings