1. INTRO TO LIFE SCIENCE

2. THE SCIENCE OF BIOLOGY

3. Biology The study of life; also known as life science
*Key aspect of Biology: The study of one
living thing always involves studying
other living things.

4. Characteristics of a Living Thing
Organism Things that have all the characteristics of life; made of one or more cells.
Characteristics of a Living Thing
Organization (cells)
Obtain/ use energy
Reproduce
Respond to stimuli
Growth
Homeostasis
Development
Adapt

5. Life can be studied at the following levels:
Human existence depends on the existence of all living things on Earth — wood, cotton, food, etc.
LEVEL
DESCRIPTION
Biosphere
part of earth that contains all ecosystems
Ecosystem
community and its nonliving environment
Community
populations that live in defined areas
Population
group of organisms of one type that live in same area
Organism
individual living thing
Groups of Cells
tissues, organs, and organ systems
Cells
smallest functional unit of life
Molecules
groups of atoms; smallest unit of compounds

6. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH & TOOLS

7. Observations — process of gathering information about events or processes in an orderly way Data — information gathered from observations Inference — logical interpretation based on prior knowledge, experiences and/or collected data

8. Two Main Types of Scientific Research:
Quantitative Research
research in which data is numerical
EX TOOLS USED:
Thermometer
Balance
Stopwatch

9. Qualitative Research (Descriptive)
research based on observations
data is descriptive
EX TOOLS USED:
Binoculars
Camera
Tape recorder

10. Metric System Decimal system of units based on a scale in multiples of ten

11. Microscopes Devices that produce magnified images of structures that are too small to be seen with the naked eye

12. Compound Light Microscope Allows light to pass through specimen and uses two lenses to form an image.

13. Electron Microscopes Uses beams of electrons, rather than light to form image (1000x more detailed than light microscopes)