Fundamentals for Life Sciences

Biology Definition

• Biology is the scientific study of life.

Seven Properties of Life

• Order.

• Energy processing.

• Evolutionary adaptation.

• Regulation.

• Reproduction.

• Growth and development.

• Response to the environment.

Cells

• All living things are made of cells; the basic unit of life.

• Eukaryotic cell: membrane, cytoplasm, membrane-enclosed organelles, nucleus with DNA.

• Prokaryotic cell: DNA (no nucleus), membrane.

Prokaryotic Organisms

• Oldest, smallest, simplest organisms.

• Unicellular.

• Example: Bacteria.

• Genetic material, macromolecules, membrane, cell wall.

Eukaryotic Organisms

• Large, complex cells with membrane-bound organelles.

• Unicellular or multicellular.

• Nucleus, mitochondria.

Genetic Information

• Found within nucleic acids like DNA.

• DNA contains hereditary information.

Three Domains of Life

• Bacteria: Prokaryotic, unicellular, microscopic

• Archaea: Prokaryotic, unicellular, microscopic

• Eukarya: Eukaryotic, unicellular or multicellular, microscopic or macroscopic; includes kingdoms Plantae, Fungi, Protists, and Animalia.

Biological Classification

• Organisms are categorized into groups (taxa) based on similar features.

• Taxonomy: Classifies and names organisms.

Evolution

• Reveals that all life is related.

• Explains diversity and unity of life

Organization of Life

• Life is made out of…

• Matter (Anything that takes up space and has mass)

• Element (Pure substance that cannot be broken down)

• Atom (Basic unit of matter)

Emergent Properties

• New characteristics that result from the combination of smaller things together

• Life is an emergent property of cells.