Chapter 1 (Campbell's Biology in Focus)

What is biology?

  • The scientific study of life poses questions about the living world and seeks answers through scientific inquiry and central activities of biology
    • ==A biosphere== consists of all life on Earth and all the places where life exists
    • ==An ecosystem== consists of all the living things in a particular area along with the non-living components
    • ==A biological community== is the array of organisms inhabiting a particular ecosystem
    • ==A population== consists of all the individuals of a species living within the bounds of a specified area
    • Individual living things are called organisms

\

The two types of cells

\

  • A ==eukaryotic cell== contains membrane-enclosed organelles. Some organelles, such as the DNA-contained nucleus, are found in the cells of all eukaryotes; other organelles are specific to particular cell types
  • ==Prokaryotic cells== lack a nuclear or other membrane-enclosed organelles(generally smaller than eukaryotic cells)

\

Evolution

  • Evolution is the scientific explanation for the unity and diversity of organisms

\

The Three Domains of Life

  • Prokaryotic organisms - these are single-celled organisms
    • ==Bacteria==
    • ==Archae==
  • Eukarya - all the eukaryotes are grouped into this domain
    • This domain contains three kingdoms of multicellular eukaryotes
    • Plantae
    • Fungi
    • Animalia

\

Charles Darwin and the Theory of Natural Selection

  • Species accumulate differences from their ancestors as they adapt to different environments over time.
  • “Natural selection” is a primary cause of the descent with modification
    • ==Natural selection== is when the natural environment consistently “selects” certain traits among naturally occurring variant traits in the population

\

Scientists and the study of nature

  • ==An inquiry== is the search for information and explanations of natural phenomena
  • ==Data== is recorded observations
  • ==A hypothesis== is an explanation, based on observations and assumptions, that leads to testable predictions
  • ==An experiment== is a scientific test, often carried out under controlled conditions

\