1. AP Biology
Study of Life
Themes

2. Themes Science as a process of inquiry Evolution Energy transfer
AP Biology
Themes
Science as a process of inquiry
questioning & investigation
Evolution
Energy transfer
Continuity & Change
Relationship of structure to function
Regulation
Interdependence in nature
Science, technology & society

3. Science as a process of inquiry
AP Biology
Science as a process of inquiry

4. Science as a process of inquiry
AP Biology
Science as a process of inquiry
Built on repeatable observations & testable, falsifiable hypotheses

5. AP Biology
Evolution
Core theme of biology
Charles Darwin

6. Organisms don’t adapt; Organisms have adaptations.
AP Biology
Natural selection
Evolutionary change is a product of the process of natural selection
Organisms don’t adapt; Organisms have adaptations.

7. "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."
AP Biology
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."
Theodosius Dobzhansky: Integrating Genetics and Evolution
Theodosius Dobzhansky, a Russian geneticist who moved to the United States, provided laboratory evidence for natural selection and variation where previously there had been only field observation. Dobzhansky's work with Drosophila, or fruit flies, provided new evidence that supported Darwin's theory that natural selection, acting on genetic variation in populations, is a driving force in evolution.
-- Theodosius Dobzhansky March 1973
Geneticist, Columbia University
( )

8. Evolution explains unity & diversity
AP Biology
Evolution explains unity & diversity
Unity
what do organisms have in common & why do similarities exist?
common biochemistry & physiology
evolutionary relationships
connected through common ancestor
Diversity
but why are there differences?
natural selection
adaptations allow different individuals to survive in different environments

9. AP Biology

10. Organizing systems Making sense out of the diversity
AP Biology
Organizing systems
Making sense out of the diversity
Hierarchical scheme
Eastern gray squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis

11. 3 Domains of Life Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya Bacteria Archaea Eukarya
AP Biology
3 Domains of Life
Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya
Bacteria
Archaea
Eukarya

12. Energy transfer Life is an open system need input of energy
AP Biology
Energy transfer
Life is an open system
need input of energy
energy flows through
energy comes in, energy goes out
need a constant input
need input of materials
nutrients are recycled around & around
nutrients
ENTROPY RULES!
DECOMPOSERS RULE, too!

13. You think they’re eating… They’re harvesting energy!
AP Biology
Energy utilization
You think they’re eating… They’re harvesting energy!

14. You can make more, a lot like you!
AP Biology
Continuity & change
Continuity of life is based on heritable information in the form of DNA
DNA – the genetic material – carries biological information from one generation to the next T R A I
You can make more, a lot like you!

15. AP Biology
Form follows function
The alignment of structure & function is seen at all levels of biology
organ
organism
cell
organelle

16. AP Biology
Regulation
Organisms need to maintain a “steady state” in the face of changing conditions
maintain homeostasis
achieve this through feedback
monitor the body like a thermostat
turn on when it’s needed, off when its not

17. Interdependence No organism is an island standing alone
AP Biology
Interdependence
No organism is an island standing alone
communities, ecosystems

18. Science, technology & society
AP Biology
Science, technology & society
Science & technology must function within the rules of society
ethics

19. Themes Science as a process of inquiry Evolution Energy transfer
AP Biology
Themes
Science as a process of inquiry
questioning & investigation
Evolution
Energy transfer
Continuity & Change
Relationship of structure to function
Regulation
Interdependence in nature
Science, technology & society

20. Why study themes of Biology?
AP Biology
Why study themes of Biology?
Biology is an ever expanding body of knowledge
too much to memorize it all
need to generalize
create a framework upon which to organize new knowledge
themes are the key to understanding the nature of living organisms

21. AP Biology
ANY QUESTIONS?