Chapter 1Biology

Module 1 Learning Objectives

The learning objectives are a great guide to studying for the exam. 

Lesson 1.1 Introduction to Biology (Reading)

·         Define biology.

The study of living things

·         Describe the seven (7) characteristics of living systems.

Cellular organization- All organisms consist of one or more cells often too tiny to see cells carry out the basic activities.

Ordered- All living things are both complex and highly ordered. Body is composed of many kinds of cells

Sensitivity- All organisms respond to stimuli (Ex plants grow towards source of light)

Growth and development- All organisms are capable of growing, reproducing and pose hereditary molecules that are passed on to offsprings

Energy Utilization- All organisms take energy and use it to perform many kinds of work

Homeostasis- All organisms have relatively constant internal conditions that are different from their environment

Evolutionary adaptation- All organisms interact with other organisms and the non-living environment in ways that influence their survival

·         Characterize the hierarchical organization of living systems – cellular level, organismal level, and population level.

Cellular Level- Cells basics unit of life and composed of molecules and organelles

Organismal Level – A complete individual organism made up of multiple organ system capable of independent life.

Population Level- Groups of individuals of the same species living and interacting in particular level

·         Define emergent properties- Novel properties arising from the way in which components interact

The Nature of Science and Scientific Method

·         Compare the different types of reasoning used by biologists – deductive and inductive reasoning.

Inductive Uses general principles to make specific predictions (Every dog I meet is friendly. Most dogs are usually friendly)

Deductive Uses specific observation to develop a general conclusion (All mammals have backbones. Humans are mammals. Humans have backbones)

·         Identify the components of the “scientific method” – the systemic approach to science.

Observation It’s a question (typically)

Hypothesis- Formation a possible explanation for an observation

Prediction

Experimentation

Conclusions

·         Contrast experimental group and control group.

Control Group: The group that does not receive experimental treatment (Ex: No distraction)

Experimental group: Group that receives the treatment being test(Ex with Distractions)

·         Compare and contrast reductionism and systems biology.

Reductionism: Break down a complex process to its simpler parts

              System Biology: Focus on emergent properties that can’t be understood by looking at simpler parts

·         Demonstrate how to formulate and test a hypothesis.

If p<=  .05 reject the Ho meaning there is a difference

If p > .05  fail to reject meaning that statistically there is no difference

·         Differentiate what makes a scientific theory.

Is a body of interconnected concepts

Supported by much experimental evidence and scientific reasoning

The Science of Life and Core Concepts of Life

·         Discuss the five (5) core concepts that underline the study of biology and provide examples of each concept

Structure and Function: Correlated at all levels of biological organization

Genetic Information: All life processes involve the expression and transmission of genetic information

Life is subject to chemical and physical law: Ex movement of water in plants depend on the basic chemical of water

Transfer and transformation of energy: Energy from sunlight is converted to chemical energy

Evolution explains the unity and diversity of life.: Process of change that has transformed life on earth

·         Discuss how emergent properties arise in the hierarchical organization of living systems.

·         Summarize the two main points of Darwin’s The Origin of Species.