Biology 189 Notes

Bio 189 2026 Fall Semester

Biologist

Study living things, organisms, big/small

7 Properties of Life

1. Order

2. Energy Processing

3. Growth/Development

4. Response to Environment

5. Reproduction

6. Regulation

7. Evolutionary Adaptation

Order

All living things have structure, organization, Ex: Bilateral Symmetry

Energy Processing (Metabolism)

Take energy, use or convert in different forms Ex: Eating food makes ATP, Gas for Car

Growth/Development

Mature and become an adult. Ex: Child → Adult, Puppy → Dog

Response to Environment

React to external Stimuli —> environmental changes Ex: Moving hand off hot stove

Reproduction

Make offspring. Ex: Having children

Regulation (Homeostasis)

Maintain stable internal condition Ex: Humans sweat → Body cools down → Maintain stable body temp.

Evolutionary Adaptation

Change overtime to adapt to environment. Ex: Bacteria evolving to overcome antibiotics (antibiotic resistance)

Cells

Basic Unit of Life

Eukaryotic Cells

1. Have Nucleus (Stores DNA)

2. Larger

3. Unicellular OR Multicellular

Ex: Animals, Plants, Fungi

Prokaryotic Cells

1. NO Nucleus

2. Smaller

3. Unicellular (one cell)

Ex: Bacteria

DNA

Macromolecule that stores genetic info of organism. Category: Nucleic Acid

Three Domains of Life

1. Bacteria → prokaryotic

2. Archaea → prokaryotic

3. Eukarya → eukaryotic, uni / multicellular, micro / macroscopic

Domain Bacteria

1. Prokaryotic

2. Unicellular

3. Microscopic (need a microscope to see)

Domain Bacteria Features

Bacteria can be:

1. Pathogens - cause disease (Ex: Plague, strep throat, mersa, mumps)

2. Symbiosis - benefit human hosts (gut bacteria)

3. Bioremediation - breaks down toxic compounds

4. Food Products (Ex: Yogurt, beer)

Domain Archaea (Evolutionary Breakpoint(

1. Prokaryotic

2. Unicellular

3. Microscopic

4. Extremophiles: Can live in very hot/cold, salty, etc

Most Recent domain in taxonomy

Domain Eukarya

1. Eukaryotic

2. Unicellular or Multicellular

3. Microscopic or Macroscopic ( see with naked eye)

4. 4 kingdoms

4 Kingdoms in Eukarya Kingdoms → Subcatagory

1. Animalia

2. Plantae

3. Fungi

4. Protista

Taxonomy

Branch of biology → classifies and names organisms

Name = ____ + _____

Genus + Species

Taxa

Domain, kingdoms

Evolution

• Explains diversity and unity of life

• Foundation of Biology

Ex: Human Lungs

1. Mucus in Lungs

2. Mucus collects debris or bacteria

3. Mucus is swallowed or spit out to remove debris

Emergent Property

When Smaller combinations → form larger / complex things

Atoms → H2O → DNA → Starch → Nucleus