Transcript Introduction to Biology

The Nature of
Biology
Module 1: How to Define Life
How do you know something is alive?
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A. Biology means the study of (-ology) all life
(bio-) and includes many branches.
B. Biologists organize living things into
kingdoms. There are currently six kingdoms
Kingdom
Example
Archaebacteria
Extremophile bacteria
Eubacteria
Typical bacteria
Protista
Seaweed, Amoeba, Slime Mold
Fungi
Yeast, Mushrooms
Plantae
Moss, Fern, Holly, Oak tree
Animalia
Worms, Fish, Birds, Frogs, Humans
How do you know something is alive?
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=juxLuo-sH6M
B. Characteristics of Life 1. Organization (The level of complexity)
a.
Organism
Organ System
Organs
Tissues
Cells
Molecules
Atoms / Elements
Meet the Elements - They Might Be Giants
How do you know something is alive?
b. All living things need six
essential elements (atoms):
Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen,
Oxygen, Phosphorus, Sulfur
(CHNOPS)
c. All living things are made of
cells.
b. One-celled organism – unicellular
c. Many-celled organism multicellular
How do you know something is alive?
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2. Energy Use
a. Organisms need energy
constantly to build molecules
(synthesis) and cells and to
break down (digest)
substances (such as breaking
down food for nutrition)
b. Organisms must transport
nutrients to be used in cellular
respiration to produce energy.
c. An organisms’ chemical
reactions are called its
metabolism
How do you know something is alive?
• 3. Reproduction
a. Organisms must replace themselves so the entire
species will survive.
b. May be asexual (only one individual contributes
genetic material) or sexual (two individuals
contribute genes).
How do you know something is alive?
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4. Growth and Development
a. Growth – to increase in size. Increases the
number of cells of a multicellular organism.
b. Development – change that takes place in
structure and function of an organism
during its life cycle.
Example: Embryo becomes a fetus
How do you know something is alive?
5. Respond
to Stimuli
a. A quick, non-permanent
change
b. Stimulus – any condition
that causes an organism
to react.
Example – A loud noise
(stimulus) causes your dog
to run under the bed
(response).
How do you know something is alive?
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=ZQLruoTRGVk
6. Adjust to Environment
a.Homeostasis - the
regulation of an
organism’s internal
environment to
maintain conditions
suitable for life
• Ex: Getting rid of
wastes by excretion
How do you know something is alive?
• b. An adaptation is
an inherited
structure, behavior,
or internal process
that enables
organisms to better
survive an
environment.
• Ex: Gills on a fish
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Life Processes: STERNGRR
Synthesis – making materials
Transport – moving materials
Excretion – getting rid of wastes
Respiration – gas exchange AND production of energy
(ATP)
Nutrition – gaining and using energy from food
Growth and Development – getting bigger and/or
changing
Regulation – controlling internal processes
Reproduction – producing new cells or new organisms