1. Unifying Themes Metabolism
Organisms Must Build Up & Break Down Molecules
In order for living things (any size) to maintain homeostasis, they must have the ability to build large molecules for use and break them down when needed. These molecules come from the food they produce or consume. Some are made naturally in the body.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

2. Unifying Themes Homeostasis
Maintaining A Constant Internal Balance
Living things must learn to respond to their environment. Stimuli can come from outside or inside the organism. A stimulus will set in motion a series of reactions both inside and outside of the organism in order to restore equilibrium.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

3. Unifying Themes Heredity
Heritable Traits are Passed From One Generation To The Next
In order for advantageous traits to continue to show up in a population of organisms, they must be inherited. Acquired traits are NOT heritable and therefore do not get passed from one generation to the next.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

4. Unifying Themes Evolution
Biological Evolution Explains the Unity & Diversity of Living Things
Adaptations lead to natural selection, which is the mechanism to biological evolution. Living things change over time and they change in response to one another and their environment.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

5. Unifying Themes Interdependence
Organisms Depend On One Another For Their Survival
Organisms do not live in isolation. They must develop some type of relationship with another organism(s). This could be for shelter, food, reproduction, etc. Organisms also depend on their non-living environment to help them meet their needs. The non-living environment often depends on the organisms in order to remain stable.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology

6. Communication
In order for scientists all over the world to understand one another, science is rooted in Latin and relies heavily on prefixes and suffixes.
Unit 1: The Science of Biology