Biology: the study of life

What do biologists do?  Study the diversity of life  Research diseases The Study of Life  Develop technologies  Improve agriculture  Preserve the environment 1.1 Introduction to Biology Chapter 1

The Eight Characteristics of Life 1. Made of one or more cells 2. Displays organization 3. Grows and develops 4. Reproduces The Study of Life 1.1 Introduction to Biology Chapter 1

The Eight Characteristics of Life 5. Responds to stimuli 6. Requires energy 7. Maintains homeostasis 8. Adaptations evolve over time The Study of Life 1.1 Introduction to Biology Chapter 1

The Study of Life  Living things are made of one or more cells.  Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in all living things. 1.1 Introduction to Biology Chapter 1

Displays Organization The Study of Life  Living things also display organization, which means they are arranged in an orderly way.  What does this mean? 1.1 Introduction to Biology Chapter 1

Organization

Grows and Develops The Study of Life  Growth results in the addition of mass to many organisms and the formation of new cells and new structures. 1.1 Introduction to Biology Chapter 1

Reproduces The Study of Life  A species is a group of organisms that can breed with one another and produce fertile offspring. 1.1 Introduction to Biology Chapter 1

Is a liger a species?

Responds to Stimuli The Study of Life  Stimulus: anything that is part of the internal or external environments and causes some sort of reaction Venus flytrap 1.1 Introduction to Biology Chapter 1

Do animals respond to stimuli? Do plants respond to stimuli?

Requires Energy The Study of Life  Living things get their energy from food.  Most plants and some unicellular organisms use light energy from the sun to make their own food and fuel their activities. 1.1 Introduction to Biology Chapter 1

Organisms that cannot make their own food get energy by consuming other organisms.

Maintains Homeostasis The Study of Life  Homeostasis: regulation of an organism’s internal conditions to maintain 1.1 Introduction to Biology Chapter 1

If anything happens within or to an organism that affects its normal state, processes to restore the normal state begin. Ex. When your body temp. is too high, what happens?

Adaptations Evolve Over Time 1.1 Introduction to Biology The Study of Life  An adaptation is any inherited characteristic that results from changes to a species over time. Chapter 1

1.3 The Scientific Method

Steps of the Scientific Method 1. State the Problem (question) 2. Research 3. Form a Hypothesis (statement) 4. Create and Perform Experiments 5. Analyze Date (observe, record, organize, analyze) 6. State a Conclusion

State the Problem The Study of Life  Scientific inquiry begins with observation.  May be in the form of a question.  Ex. 1.3 Methods of Science Chapter 1

Research the Topic and Gather Info. –Internet –Experts –Books and Journals

Form a Hypothesis The Study of Life  Hypothesis: a testable explanation of a situation  Law: a hypothesis that has been repeatedly tested and not contradicted 1.3 Methods of Science Chapter 1

Create and Perform Experiments The Study of Life  Must be completed in a controlled environment  What does that mean? 1.3 Methods of Science Chapter 1

Controlled Experiments The Study of Life  A control group in an experiment is a group used for comparison.  The experimental group is the group exposed to the factor being tested. 1.3 Methods of Science Chapter 1

Variable: the single factor that is being changed

Experimental Design The Study of Life  Independent variable —the factor in an experiment that is changed by the scientist 1.3 Methods of Science Chapter 1

 Dependent variable —results from or depends on changes to the independent variable.

Observe, Record, and Analyze Data The Study of Life  Data —information gained from observations.  Quantitative data can be measurements of time, temperature, length, mass, area, volume, density, or other factors.  Qualitative data are descriptions of what our senses detect. 1.3 Methods of Science Chapter 1

Analyze the Data The Study of Life  A graph of the data makes the pattern easier to grasp. 1.3 Methods of Science Chapter 1

Make a Conclusion 1.3 Methods of Science The Study of Life  State if your findings support or contradict your hypothesis Chapter 1