Intro to Biology

What is biology?

the science that studies life

List the 8 characteristics of living things

Order, Sensitivity of Response to Stimuli, Adaptation, Reproduce, Growth & Development, Regulation, Homeostasis, Energy Processing

Order

organization of cells, arrangement, 9 levels of organization

Sensitivity or Response to Stimuli

movement towards a stimulus is a positive response, while the opposite is a negative response. (ex. plant bending towards source of light)

Reproduction

the production of offspring

Reproduction: single-celled organisms

duplicate their DNA, then divide it equally as the cell prepares to divide into 2.

Reproduction: Multicellular organisms

DNA containing genes are passed along to an organism’s new offspring, creates a new individual with similar characteristics.

Adpatation

consequences of evolution by natural selection that enhance an organism’s ability to adapt to its environment.

Growth & Development

when organisms grow and develop according to specific instructions coded for by their parents.

Homeostasis

tendency of organisms to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes (ex. maintain body temp)

Regulation

the ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes. (ex. transport of nutrients)

Energy Processing

using energy from the sun for metabolic changes—using it to convert chemical energy in food or energy from molecules they take in.

List 9 levels of organization from smallest to largest

Atom, (Macromolecules, Molecule), Organelles, Cell, Tissue, Organs & Organ systems, (Organisms, Population, Community), Ecosystem, Biosphere

Atom

the smallest and most fundamental unit of matter that retains the properties of an element

Molecule

chemical structure consisting of at least 2 atoms held together by a chemical bond

Macromolecules

biologically important, large molecules typically formed by combing smaller units called monomers.

Organelles

aggregates of macromolecules surrounded by membranes; small structures that exist within cells and perform specialized functions

Cell

smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living organisms

Prokaryote Cells

single-celled organisms that lack organelles surrounded by membrane and don’t have nuclei surrounded by nuclei membrane (ex. Bacteria, Archaea)

Eukaryote Cells

have membrane-bound organelles & nuclei, eukarya

Tissue

groups of similar cells carrying out the same function

Organs

collections of tissues grouped together based on a common function

Organ systems

higher level of organization consisting of functionally related organs

Organisms

individual level entities (ex. tree, single-celled prokaryotes, single-celled eukaryotes)

Population

all individuals of a species living within a specific area

Community

set of populations inhabiting area (ex. trees in forest)

Ecosystem

all living things in particular area together with abiotic (non-living) parts of environment (ex. nitrogen in soil, rainwater)

Biosphere

highest level of organization; collection of all ecosystems, represents zones of life on Earth (ex. land, water, atmosphere)

List taxonomic system from largest to smallest

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

What are Carl Linnaeus’ 2 major contributions to biology?

binomial nomenclature, taxonomic system

Binomial Nomenclature

establishes two unique names to set species apart. The first name is called Genus, the second is called Specific epithet. (ex. Panthera pardus) Must be in italics or underlines. Genus is always capitalized.