Intro to Biology

Properties of Life

Order, response to stimuli, reproduction, adaptation, growth & development, evolution, regulation/homeostasis, energy processing

Order

All living organisms are structured and composed of one or more cells

Response to stimuli

Living organisms respond to abiotic and biotic stimuli, either turning towards or away from stimuli. Positive response = towards stimuli. Negative response = away from stimuli

Reproduction

The goal of reproduction is to pass on heritable material genes onto the next generation

Types of reproduction

Asexual reproduction = genetically identical reproduction. Sexual reproduction = genetically unique offspring.

Adaptations

Heritable, structural physical physiological or behavioral traits that improve in organisms ability to survive and reproduce in its environment. Adaptations are product of evolution via natural selection. Example Darwin’s finches of the Galapagos.

Growth and development

Organisms grow and develop according to specific instructions encoded by DNA.

Certain gene like those related to key biological development steps are often considered highly conserved.

Regulation and homeostasis

An organisms ability to maintain a relatively stable internal environment required to maintain life in response to environmental stimuli. Goal: to maintain homeostasis as much as possible

Energy processing

All organisms use energy to help maintain metabolic activities

Photoautotrophs make their own energy via sunlight

Heterotrophs need to consume other organisms for energy

Evolution

Organisms evolve in adapt to be fit for their environment

Mutations are often considered the raw material by which evolution occurs

what are the two primary groups when it comes to organization of organisms?

Prokaryotes - simple, single celled organisms

Eukaryotes – complex often, multicellular organisms

What are the three domains of life?

Bacteria, archaea, eukarya

What four kingdoms are nested within Eukarya?

Protista, fungi, plantae, animalia

Sub disciplines of biology

Botany - study of plants

Zoology – study of animals

Entomology – study of insects

Microbiology – study of microscopic organism such as bacteria and viruses