“The Study of Life”

Chapter 1

I. What is Biology?

•A. Biology - the study of living things/ organisms

Characteristics of Living Organisms

1. Reproduce 2. Respond (adjust)3. Adapt & Evolve 4. Metabolize (use or make food)5. Respiration (gas exchange)6. Grow/Develop7. Highly organized (exp cells)

1. Atoms and Molecules

Organization of living things - “organisms”

2. Cells - “basic unit of life”

Human embryonic stem cells grown at the University of Wisconsin-Madison randomly changed into cell types found in the A) gut B) brain C) bone marrow D) cartilage E) muscleF) kidneyScientists haven't learned to control the development. ©1998 Science. Courtesy University Communications

http://whyfiles.org/127stem_cell/

http://www.texasheart.org/Research/StemCellCenter/index.cfm?gclid=CMu_o_vMzpwCFQoMDQodezTCJQhttp://www.purstem.eu/cmsms/index.php?page=videos

Shortcut to planarian_regen-lg.mov.lnk

3. Tissues - group of specialized cells

4. Organs - group of specialized tissues

5. Organ Systems - specific organs

6. Organism - all organ systems working together “ a single living thing”

7. Population/Species- group of organisms that can interbreed and produce offspring.

8. Community - various populations, multiplespecies

9. Ecosystem - various communities and theirinteractions with abiotic/nonliving or physical environment around them

p397http://www.nature.com/scitable/content/Biology-Is-Studied-at-Many-Levels-of-35665

10. Biosphere - all organisms and the environment they live in, bothliving and nonliving factors

Structure & Function

Structure – shape or form Function – what it does

Exp: Nerve cell

Blood cell

Homeostasis – “steady state” maintenance of organisms internal environment

Negative feedback – tends to return organism/system to its original state (homeostasis).

Exp: Exercise ( Temp) . . . . . . . Cold ( Temp) . . . . . . . . . . .

• The process of identifying new and interesting things about nature requires scientists to ask questions, make observations and try to explain things they observe.

1. Observation : use senses or tools to gather information.

2. Question:

3. Hypothesis : “Educated Guess” derived from observation.

4. Experiment : test the hypothesis, collect and analyze data.

2 Forms of Data : Quantitative – numerical values (SI)

Qualitative – descriptive research, purely observational

5. Conclusion : Judgment or explanation made based on observations/data collected throughout the experiment.

– State whether experiment proves or disproves the hypothesis

Scientific Method

http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/scientificmethod.html

Keys to a good Experiment1. Controlled (constants)

– 2 groups: control and experimental

2. Design a)Independent variable - condition that is changed in an experiment and effects the outcome of that experiment (what was changed, or manipulated)

b) Dependent Variable - second conditions that result from change in the independent variable. (outcome

of the change, exp data….measured and observed)

Tools 1. Compd light microscopes – uses light to magnify

living or preserved specimens, 2D images

2. SEM – e-’s deflect off of specimens, 3D images

3. TEM – e-’s pass through specimens, 2D image/high magnification.

4. Computer based technology

-models used to study complex systems that can’t

be studied directly (spread of avian flu)

-given rise to new areas of study…genomics

Your Knowledge of Biology

Can help you make informed decisions that impact your health and the health of the environment around you.

Biotechnology- the use and application of living organisms or other biological systems in the manufacture of products. (yeast…bread)

Transgenic – genetically modified organisms, contain one or more genes from another species.

-Exps: insect/diesease and drought resistant crops, rBGH/rBST etc.

Molecular genetics – study and manipulation of DNA and genes on a molecular level.

http://www.goldiesroom.org/Note%20Packets/20%20Molecular%20Genetics/00%20Molecular%20Genetics--WHOLE.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0UzdYRnMtY