1. Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life
Chapter 1

2. Biology The scientific study of life
Scientists use the Scientific Method to answer questions posed by the living world
Much of biology focuses on how organisms have adapted to life in myriad environs on our planet
Evolution is the central theme of biology
Mother-of-Pearl Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense) is adapted to life with limited water

3. Properties of Life Order Regulation Energy Processing
Homeostasis (balance within limits)
Energy Processing
Evolutionary Adaptation
Response to Environment
Reproduction
Inheritance of genetic material (DNA)
Growth and Development
Regulated by DNA

4. Check Your Understanding
What is the scientific method and what is its role in biology?
Why is evolution considered to be the unifying, central theme of biology?
Discuss the seven major properties associated with all living things?

5. Themes of biology

6. New Properties Emerge at Each Level in the Biological Hierarchy
Levels of Organization
See figure on the left
Emergent Properties
New functions that develop as complexity increases
Not present in level below
Reductionism studies complex systems by looking at smaller, more manageable parts
Systems Biology models the interactions within system based on knowledge of individual parts

7. Organisms Interact with Other Organisms and Their Environment

8. Life Requires Energy Transfer and Transformation
Photosynthesis
Light (Kinetic Energy) and CO2 to organic molecules (Chemical Energy)
Producers
Respiration
Organic molecules to CO2 and new chemical energy
Consumers

9. Structure and Function are Correlated at All Levels of Biological Organization
Form Fits Function (and vice versa)

10. The Cell is the Basic Structural and Functional Unit of Life
PROKARYOTE
EUKARYOTE
Bacteria
Lack internal membranes
Protozoa, Fungi, Plants, Animals
Possess internal membranes

11. The Continuity of Life is Based on the Heritable Information Found in DNA
Replication
DNA creates new DNA
Genome is term for all the genetic material in a single cell
Protein Synthesis
Transcription
DNA creates RNA
Translation
RNA creates proteins

12. Feedback Mechanisms Regulate Biological Systems
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
POSITIVE FEEDBACK

13. Check Your Understanding
Describe how each level within the hierarchy of life is related to the level below it and the level above it. Define emergent properties of life and how this relates to the hierarchy. Differentiate between reductionism and systems biology.
Differentiate between photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Between producers and consumers. How do these terms relate to the energy transformations of life?
Describe the relationship between form and function using a bird’s wing bones as an example.
Differentiate between a prokaryotic and a eukaryotic cell.
Differentiate between DNA replication, DNA transcription, and RNA translation.
Differentiate between positive and negative feedback mechanisms. Provide one example of each type of mechanism.

14. The Core Theme of Biology
Evolution

15. Classifying the Diversity of Life
Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms
Domains are the most encompassing levels
Species is the most specific designation
Binomial System of Nomeclature
Genus species

16. Three Domains of Life Bacteria (prokaryotes) Archaea (prokaryotes)
Eukarya (eukaryotes)
Plantae
Fungi
Animalia
Protista

17. Unity in the Diversity of Life

18. Charles Darwin and the Theory of Natural Selection
On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection (1859)
Contemporary species arose from a succession of ancestors
“Decent with modification”
Decent with modification is caused by “natural selection”
Individuals vary within a population based on heritable traits
Populations produce far more offspring than can possibly survive which leads to competition
Species are suited (adapted) to their environment provided the environment does not change

19. The Tree of Life

20. Check Your Understanding
Differentiate between a domain and a species. How are species universally identified when their names are written or typed?
Differentiate between the organisms belonging to the domains Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
How does a cilia in a paramecium and on cell lining the respiratory tract of a human illustrate the process of evolution?
What work by Charles Darwin changed the face of biology forever? What three things did Darwin say were necessary for decent with modification to occur?