Biology Chapter 1.1-1.3

Biology

The study of living things.

Characteristics of Living Systems

Seven traits shared by all living organisms: cellular organization, ordered structure, sensitivity to stimuli, growth and development, energy utilization, homeostasis, and evolutionary adaptation.

Cellular Level

The basic unit of life composed of cells, molecules, and organelles.

Organismal Level

A complete individual organism made up of multiple organ systems capable of independent life.

Population Level

Groups of individuals of the same species living and interacting in a particular area.

Emergent Properties

Novel properties arising from the way components interact.

Deductive Reasoning

Uses general principles to make specific predictions.

Inductive Reasoning

Uses specific observations to develop general conclusions.

Scientific Method

A systemic approach to science involving observation, hypothesis formation, prediction, experimentation, and conclusions.

Control Group

The group that does not receive the experimental treatment.

Experimental Group

The group that receives the treatment being tested.

Reductionism

Breaking down a complex process to its simpler parts.

Systems Biology

Focus on emergent properties that cannot be understood by looking at simpler parts.

Hypothesis Testing

If p≤.05, reject the null hypothesis; if p>.05, fail to reject the null hypothesis.

Scientific Theory

A body of interconnected concepts supported by experimental evidence and scientific reasoning.

Structure and Function

Correlated at all levels of biological organization.

Genetic Information

All life processes involve the expression and transmission of genetic information.

Chemical and Physical Law

Life processes are subject to physical and chemical laws, such as water movement in plants.

Energy Transfer and Transformation

Energy from sunlight is converted to chemical energy.

Evolution

Explains the unity and diversity of life as a process of change.

Emergent Properties in Hierarchical Organization

Properties that arise from the interactions of components at different levels of biological organization.

Darwin’s Two Main Points in The Origin of Species

1. Species evolve over time; 2. Natural selection is a mechanism for evolution.