Chapter 1 Biology: The Study of Life

Section 1.1  What is Biology? The study of life The study of life  Why study Biology? Learn about life around you Learn about life around you Study problems/ propose solutions Study problems/ propose solutions Ask what, why, and how questions Ask what, why, and how questions Pleasure of learning :) Pleasure of learning :)

What is life?

Characteristics of Life  Organization- orderly structure, composed of one or more cells that function together

Reproduce and Change

 Reproduction- Production of offspring, Asexually or sexually. Essential for the continuation of the organism’s species. Essential for the continuation of the organism’s species.  Change- Growth and development Growth- increase in amount of living material and formation of new structures Growth- increase in amount of living material and formation of new structures Development- All the changes that take place during the life of an organism Development- All the changes that take place during the life of an organism

Maintenance and Repair

 Adaptation- Any structure, behavior, or internal process that enables an organism to respond to stimuli and better survive in an environment Inherited from previous generations Inherited from previous generations Evolution- gradual accumulation of adaptations over time

Adjust and Respond

 Adjust Stimulus- anything that causes an organism to adjust to its environment Stimulus- anything that causes an organism to adjust to its environment Response- reaction to a stimulus Response- reaction to a stimulus Homeostasis- regulation of an organism’s internal environment to maintain conditions suitable for survival

Organism  Anything that possesses all the characteristics of life  You must possess all the characteristics of life to be considered living

Energy to grow on

 What does your body need to be able to carry out all living functions? Energy Energy Energy is the ability to do work

The Basics of Biology: What is Life? 1)What is the basic unit that makes up an organism? (Choose only one answer) *stems *cells *limbs *organs 2)Which of the following is NOT a property of all living things? (Choose only one answer) *ability to reproduce *ability to undergo change *ability to respond to stimuli *ability to crystallize 3)Plants use the energy of the sun to make food by _____. (Choose only one answer) *osmosis *adaptation *decomposition *photosynthesis 4)Dead organisms break down into their components by _____. (Choose only one answer) *respiration *metabolism *decomposition *photosynth esis 5)Non-living things are unable to _____. (Choose only one answer) *break in half *grow from the inside out *melt at high temperatures *freeze from the inside out 6)A living cell can only divide once. true false 7)Which is an example of a dog's automatic response to a hot day? (Choose only one answer) *panting *sitting *playing *eating 8)Decomposition is a natural part of a tree's life cycle carried out by _____. (Choose only one answer) *osmosis *microbes *pollinators *photosynthesis

Section 1.2 The Methods of Biology  What are the common steps biologists and other scientists use to gather information and answer questions? Scientific method Scientific method

Observe and Hypothesize  Questions can come from everyday observations and curiosity  Hypothesis- is an explanation for a question or a problem that can be formally tested.

Experiments  Procedure that tests a hypothesis by the process of collecting information under controlled conditions  Controlled conditions- means that the only condition different in each experimental group is the one chosen variable.

Control group  Standard in which all conditions are kept the same.  Gives you something to which you can compare the experimental groups

Variables  Independent- Condition chosen by scientist (shown on x-axis)  Dependent- condition observed or measured by scientist (shown on y-axis)

Gather data  Information gathered from experiments can be Quantitative or Qualitative (descriptive) Research, usually organized in charts and tables

 Analyze- Check data to see if the hypothesis is supported or not. What did the data tell you?  Conclusions- Written explanation of your findings telling others what your results were  Verify- Others will question the results you publish and will try to duplicate your experiment to verify your results

 Theory- An explanation of natural phenomenon that is supported by a LARGE body of evidence. A theory results from continual verification and refinement of a hypothesis. A good theory can help you make good predictions. (Theory of Evolution) An explanation of natural phenomenon that is supported by a LARGE body of evidence. A theory results from continual verification and refinement of a hypothesis. A good theory can help you make good predictions. (Theory of Evolution)  Law- Always happens, is a fact of nature. (Law of Gravity) Always happens, is a fact of nature. (Law of Gravity)

Section 1.3  Quantitative Research- data is analyzed by comparing numerical values recorded in SI units (International System of Measurement) or the metric system.  Qualitative (descriptive) Research- uses observational data or written explanations of observations

Science and Society  Ethics- refers to moral principles and values held by humans. Knowledge is neither good or bad  Unanswerable Questions- Science cannot answer all of life’s questions because there are questions unable to be objectively tested (without bias)

 Technology has both been helpful and harmful and society must decide if the results justify the risks.