Studying Life

Learning Objectives §  List the characteristics of living things. §  Identify the central themes of biology. §  Explain how life can be studied at different levels. §  Discuss the importance of a universal system of

measurement.

Biology

Biology is the study of life. But what IS life?

Life has Many Levels of Organization 1.  Cellular Level

§  Atoms à molecules à organelles à cells 2.  Organismal Level

§ Tissues à organs à organ systems 3. Population Level

§ Population à species à biological community 4.  Ecosystem Level

§ Biological community + physical habitat (soil, water, atmosphere)

5.  The Biosphere § The entire planet thought of as an ecosystem

Characteristics of Life

Genetic code

Grow and develop

Respond to their environment

Reproduce

Homeostasis

Metabolism

Evolve

Made of cells

Cells are the smallest unit that can perform all of life’s processes.

The cell is the basic unit of life. Oraganisms can be: Multicellular (multiple cells) Unicellular (single-celled)

Characteristics of Life (1.3) 1.  Made up of basic units called cells 2.  Based on a universal genetic code 3.  Obtain and use materials & energy (metabolism) 4.  Grow and develop 5.  Reproduce 6.  Respond to the environment (stimulus &

response) 7.  Maintain a stable internal environment

(homeostasis) 8.  Change over time (evolution)

What adaptations have these organisms evolved?

Fields of Biology Global Ecology Biotechnology Paleontology Entomology Molecular Biology

Scientific Measurement

1 kilometer = _______ meters 1000

0.45 liter = _______ milliliters 450

5000 milligrams = _______ grams 5

130 meters = _______ kilometers 0.13

2500 milliliters = _______ liters 2.5

0.017 grams = _______ milligrams 17