Chapter 1: Intro to Biology

Biology

The study of life

Characteristics of Life

1. Organized

2. Acquire material and Energy

3.(homeostasis) Maintain an internal environment

4.Respond to environment/stimuli

5. Life has adaptations

6. Reproduce

7. Develop

Cell

Smallest, most basic unit of life

Life obtains energy and materials

Organisms use energy for work and metabolism

Energy

the capacity to do work

Metabolism

All of the chemical reactions that occur within an organism

Use and transform energy.

What is the source of most energy?

the Sun

Photosynthesis

solar energy is converted to sugar (chemical energy)

Homeostasis

organisms' ability to regulate internal environment

*remember the differences between snowshoe and desert hare example

Ectotherm

cold-blooded. Organisms that do not enough internal heat (ex. lizards moving into and out of sun)

Endotherm

warm-blooded, they can maintain internal temperature

ex. If we feel hot, we sweat. If we feel cold, we shiver

Organisms respond to a stimuli or their environment

They interact with their environment

Ex. If a rabbit senses danger, they run away to avoid being preyed upon

Living organisms Reproduce

they are able to pass on their genes to their offspring.

1. bacteria and single-celled (unicellular) organisms split

2. Multicellular reproduce with egg and sperm cell

Living organisms Develop

an embryo develops into an organism

living organisms adapt

genes plays a role in adaptation.

an organisms that is better suited to their environment will live and reproduce.

(remember the white, light brown and dark brown horses example from class)

Evolution

process where the population change over time to adapt to their environment and pass it on to the next generation

(it can either split or create an entire new species)

Evolutionary tree

traces life in which species belonged to a common ancestor

Process of Evolution

Adaptation (natural variation) occurs, then Natural Selection, which then leads to Evolution

natural selection

an individual who adapts to their environment has the ability to live AND reproduce 

Over time, this leads to evolution (changes in populations.

Categories of Classification

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

Three Domains

Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya

Domain Archaea

Prokaryote, Unicellular, no membrane-bound nucleus, may be the first cells on Earth

Domain Bacteria

Prokaryote, unicellular (single-celled), no membrane bound nucleus

Domain Eukarya

Eukaryote, multi-cellular or unicellular, has membrane-bound nucleus

Four Kingdoms of Eukarya

Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia

Binomial name

1. Scientific name of an organism, the first part is the genus and the second part is the species

2. has to be italicized

3. First letter of Genus name is Capitalized while the rest, including the species name, are small letter

ex. Homo sapiens

Scientific Method

1. Make observations

2. Research problem or question

3. Form and test hypothesis

4. Analyze results

5. Form conclusions

6. Present results

Bioethics

Consequences of Technology

Biodiversity

The number of different species in an area

Emerging diseases

may result from new and/or increased exposure to animals or insect populations that may act as vectors for disease.

climate change

change in the earth's climate

ex. earth is currently warming

Theory

a statement is supported by a large body of evidence.

different from hypothesis

Hypothesis

An educated guess based on a single study

7 Characteristics of Life

1. Organization – Living things are made of one or more cells.

2. Homeostasis – Maintain stable internal conditions (like temperature, pH).

3. Metabolism – Use and transform energy.

4.Growth & Development – Increase in size and undergo changes during life cycle.

5. Reproduction – Produce new organisms (asexual or sexual).

6. Response to Stimuli – React to environment (light, sound, touch, etc.).

7. Evolution/Adaptation – Populations change over generations to survive.

Charles Darwin

Naturalist who developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Six Steps of the Scientific Method

• Ask a Question / Observation – Identify a problem.

• Research – Gather background info.

• Hypothesis – Make a testable prediction.

• Experiment – Test hypothesis with controlled experiment.

• Analyze Data – Study results, look for patterns.

• Conclusion / Communicate Results – State findings and share with others.