Biology 107 General Biology Pat Akrabawi Michael Cullen Brian Ernsting Biology 107 General Biology

Introduction to General Biology Student Objectives: As a result of this lecture and the assigned reading, you should understand the following: 1. Cells form the simplest, independent units of organization of living organisms. Cells arise from other cells. 2. There is a unity and a diversity of cells. Living cells all have a similar basic chemistry, yet cells may vary enormously in appearance and function. 3. Cells are broadly categorized as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic.

Introduction to General Biology There is a hierarchy of structural levels and orders associated with living organisms, from simple molecules to complex ecosystems of the biosphere. Atoms Molecules (organelles) CELLS Organisms Organ Systems Organs Tissues Population Community Ecosystem Biosphere Life is associated with emergent properties. These properties are the consequence of the hierarchies of structure.

Introduction to General Biology Living organisms are characterized by: order energy utilization response to the environment reproduction growth and development homeostasis evolutionary adaptation Structures and functions are related.

Introduction to General Biology Organisms interact continuously with their environments, and exchanges of energy and materials between organisms and their environments are essential for living matter. DNA is the basis of heritable information and the mechanism of transferring archived information from one generation to another of a species.   All species of life, whether plant, animal or bacterium, employ essentially the same genetic code.

Introduction to General Biology Organisms are in a struggle to survive in an environment, and there are individual variations in organisms of a population that provide differential advantages for reproductive success in that environment. All populations of organisms undergo genetic changes through time, and this may lead to organisms better adapted to the environment and may in turn give rise to different species.