1. 1-3 Studying Life BIOLOGY “bio” – life “logy” – the study of
Biology is the science that seeks to understand the living world.
What does it mean to be alive?

2. Characteristics of Life
Living things are made up of cells
Smallest units of an organism that is considered alive
Can be unicellular (bacteria) or multicellular (humans)

3. Characteristics of Life
Living things reproduce
Final product of reproduction = new organism
Asexual: formation of a new organism from one parent.
OFFSPRING IS A CLONE OF THE PARENT
Sexual: two cells from different parents unite to produce the 1st cell of new organism

4. Characteristics of Life
Living things are based on a universal genetic code
Based on 1 molecule that is almost identical in every organism on earth: DNA
(Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

5. Characteristics of Life
Living things grow and develop
Growth: an increase in size of an organism
Development: progression through a life cycle

6. Characteristics of Life
Living things obtain and use energy
Metabolism: the sum of all chemical reactions occurring in an organism.
Autotroph: obtains energy from the sun
Heterotroph: obtains energy from consuming other organisms.

7. Characteristics of Living Things
Living things respond to environment
ex. Find shelter from rain
ex. Hibernating to survive the winter
ex. Produce toxins to ward off predators
Living things maintain a stable internal environment
Homeostasis: keeping internal condition stable relative to the external environment

8. Characteristics of Living Things
Living things evolve
Individuals DO NOT EVOLVE
Populations evolve over time

9. Obtain and Use Materials and Energy Based on a Universal Genetic Code
Reproduce
Made of Cells
The Characteristics of Life
Obtain and Use Materials and Energy
Based on a Universal Genetic Code
Change over time
Grow and Develop
Maintain a stable internal environment
Respond to their Environment

10. Is Yeast Alive? How do you know?
Paleontology

11. Branches of Biology
Botany
Zoology
Entomology
Ornithology
Paleontology

12. Branches of Biology Botany- Plants Physiology- Processes (function)
Anatomy-Structure Zoology-Animals
Cell Biology- Cells Genetics- Inheritance
Entomology – Insects Paleontology – Prehistoric life
Ornithology - Birds 12

13. Major Themes of Biology
Science is a process
We continue to learn, modify, and build on previous scientific work (adjust hypotheses, research, experimental designs)
There is interdependence in nature
Many organisms have relationships of dependence (ecological relationships, on organism depends on the other for food, reproduction, shelter, etc.)
Regulation (homeostasis)
Regulatory mechanisms manage and control life (help establish order/avoid disorganization)
Continuity and Change
Some things are preserved while others change (made of cells, types of cells vary)
Science Technology and Society
Technology is integrated with our lives (genetics, vaccines, forensics, etc.)
Energy is transferred and transformed
Energy is neither created or destroyed but converted to different forms
Structure fits function
The function of a biological mechanism is related to it’s purpose (bird beak/ flower)
Life evolves
Species change over time 13

14. Major Biological Themes
Science is a
Process
Life evolves
MAJOR
THEMES
Structure fits Function
There is interdependence in nature
Energy is transferred and transformed
Regulation
(Homeostasis)
Continuity and Change
Science, Technology and
Society

15. The Metric System Units are in multiples of 10.
Ex: Ten centimeters = 1 decimeter
Also called the International System of Units (SI)

17. Post Quiz Assignment . Use a sheet of paper from the front desk.
What do you think an atom looks like?
Draw your version of a carbon atom
Carbon has 6 protons, 6 electrons and 6 neutrons?
2. Water is a special chemical compound that is important to biology. What is the chemical formula for water? What things can you think of that are special about water?