1. Themes of Biology (Characteristics of Life)
Ms. Day/ Honors Biology
Lecture #1
9/3/2014

2. Themes of Biology Myths
All livings things must:
Eat
Sleep
Breathe
Move
NOT NECESSARILY TRUE!!!

3. Themes of Biology Also known as “Characteristics of Life”
All living things called organisms have all these themes at least one time in their lives.
Organism = a single living thing
Species = a group of the same living things (organisms) living in the same place at the same time

4. Themes of Biology (Characteristics of Life)
Organization
All living things are made up of 1 or more cells.
Cell= life’s basic unit of structure and function
Organisms are either:
Unicellular = made up of 1 cell
EXAMPLE: Bacteria
NOT very organized or structured
Multicellular = made up of 2 or more cells
EXAMPLE: Plants, animals or people
VERY organized and structured
(cells tissue organ system organism)

5. 2. Reproduction
All living things need to make more of themselves so they do not go EXTINCT!
Reproduce = to make more of a particular group of organism

6. 3. Inheritance
All living things need to be able to pass down DNA (genes) to their offspring (“babies”).
Heredity = the passing down of genes from 1 generation to the next
Genetics = the study of heredity
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) = genetic material
Gene = a piece of DNA which codes
for a protein or mRNA that gives an organism a characteristic

7. 4. Interaction with Environment
All living things need to be able to respond to their environment (called “responding to stimuli”).
Interdependence = when living things depend or are affected by other organisms and their environment
Example:
People take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
They are interdependent on one another!

8. 5. Energy
All living things need energy called ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
energy molecule in organisms
Organisms are either:
Producers = they make their own food for energy (Example: bacteria, plants, some algae)
Also called autotrophs (“self feeders”)
Consumers = they eat other organisms for energy (Example= animals and people)
Also called heterotrophs (“other feeders”)
Organisms use metabolism to make ATP.
Metabolism = all the chemical processes in a cell, including making ATP (energy)
EXAMPLE: When cells change nutrients into chemical energy (ATP)

9. All living things need to regulate their functions.
6. Regulation
All living things need to regulate their functions.
Organisms use homeostasis to do this.
Homeostasis = maintaining a balance between internal and external conditions
EXAMPLES:
Shivering
Sweating
Pupil of an eye dilating
Panting (dogs)

10. 7. Adaptation and Evolution
All living things need to be able to change over time in order to survive better.
Adaptation = when species change genetically over a SHORT period of time in order to better survive and reproduce in their environment
EXAMPLE: Rabbits that are faster runners.
Evolution = when living organisms adapt and genetically change over a LONG period of time.
EXAMPLE: All life on Earth shares a common ancestor.