1. Study of Life Chapter 1 Themes
AP Biology
Study of Life
Chapter 1
Themes

2. Biology is a subject of enormous scope
AP Biology
Biology is a subject of enormous scope
Studying the diverse forms of life reveals common themes in Biology

3. Themes in biology Science as a process of inquiry
AP Biology
Themes in biology
Science as a process of inquiry
questioning & investigation
Evolution
Hierarchy and emergent properties
The cellular basis of life
Relationship of structure to function
Energy transfer
Continuity & Change
Regulation
Interdependence and interactions in nature
Science, technology & society

4. Science as a process of inquiry
AP Biology
Science as a process of inquiry

5. Common theme of the scientific process
Hypothetico-deductive thinking
The first part refers to hypothesis which is a tentative answer to some question (an explanation on trial)
Ex. Maybe eating a big lunch just before going to history every day makes Scott sleepy

6. The deductive refers to the use of deductive reasoning to test hypothesis, Deduction contrasts with induction.
Induction is reasoning from a set of specific observations to reach a general conclusion (as in all organisms are composed of cells)

7. Deduction the reasoning flows reverse from induction from the general to the specific.
In the scientific process deduction usually takes the form of predictions about the results of experiments or observations we should expect if a particular hypothesis (premise) is correct.

8. This deductive testing takes the form of “ If……..then logic
EX. If Scott eats before History class, then he will be sleepy in class.

9. Hypotheses Are Possible explanations Should reflect past experience
Multiple hypothesis should be proposed whenever possible
Should be written as if ….then (the if is the independent variable and the then is the dependent variable)
Should be testable via the hypothetico-deductive approach.

10. Can be eliminated but not confirmed with absolute certainty.

11. Science as a process of inquiry
AP Biology
Science as a process of inquiry
Built on repeatable observations & testable, falsifiable hypotheses

12. "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."
AP Biology
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."
Theodosius Dobzhansky: Integrating Genetics and Evolution
Theodosius Dobzhansky, a Russian geneticist who moved to the United States, provided laboratory evidence for natural selection and variation where previously there had been only field observation. Dobzhansky's work with Drosophila, or fruit flies, provided new evidence that supported Darwin's theory that natural selection, acting on genetic variation in populations, is a driving force in evolution.
-- Theodosius Dobzhansky March 1973
Geneticist, Columbia University
( )

13. AP Biology
Natural selection
Evolutionary change is a product of the process of natural selection –can produce new species

14. The origin of species Charles Darwin presented two ideas:
Current species arose from a succesion of ancestors through “decent with modification “ (evolution)
The mechanism of evolution is natural selection
He observed this by
Individuals in a population of any species vary in many heritable traits
Any population can potentially produce far more offspring than the environment can support
Result of these 2-> a struggle for existence among variant members of a population

15. AP Biology
Evolution explains unity & diversity (all life is connected through evolution)
Unity
what do organisms have in common & why do similarities exist?
common biochemistry & physiology
evolutionary relationships
connected through common ancestor
Diversity
but why are there differences?
natural selection
adaptations allow different individuals to survive in different environments

16. AP Biology

17. Organizing systems Taxonomy is the study of classification
AP Biology
Organizing systems Taxonomy is the study of classification
Making sense out of the diversity
Hierarchical scheme
Eastern gray squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis

18. 3 Domains of Life Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya Bacteria Archaea Eukarya
AP Biology
3 Domains of Life
Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya
Bacteria
Archaea
Eukarya

20. Life’s Hierarchical Order
(atoms), (organelles)
Cells
Tissues
Organs
Organism
Population *
Community *
Ecosystem *
Emergent properties

21. Emergent Properties:
Novel properties which result from interactions between components.
An organism is a living whole, greater than the sum of its parts.
Reductionism vs. systems biology

22. Properties of life Order Reproduction Growth and development
Energy utilization
Response to environment
Homeostasis
Evolutionary adaptaions

23. The Cellular Basis of Life
Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes
Prokaryotes do not have DNA enclosed in a nucleus or membrane-bound structures.
Eukaryotes do have DNA enclosed in a membrane bound nucleus and include membrane bound organelles.

24. Examples of Cells

25. Form follows function (cell is the smallest unit of life)
AP Biology
Form follows function (cell is the smallest unit of life)
The alignment of structure & function is seen at all levels of biology
Form fits function
organ
organism
cell
organelle

26. Energy transfer Life is an open system need input of energy
AP Biology
Energy transfer
Life is an open system
need input of energy
energy flows through
energy comes in, energy goes out
need a constant input
need input of materials
nutrients are recycled around & around
nutrients
ENTROPY RULES!
DECOMPOSERS RULE, too!

27. You think they’re eating… They’re harvesting energy!
AP Biology
Energy utilization
You think they’re eating… They’re harvesting energy!

28. AP Biology
Continuity & change
Continuity of life is based on heritable information in the form of DNA
DNA – the genetic material – carries biological information from one generation to the next T R A I

29. AP Biology
Regulation
Organisms need to maintain a “steady state” in the face of changing conditions
maintain homeostasis
achieve this through feedback
monitor the body like a thermostat
turn on when it’s needed, off when its not

30. Interdependence and Interactions
AP Biology
Interdependence and Interactions
No organism is an island standing alone
communities, ecosystems

31. Science, technology & society
AP Biology
Science, technology & society
Science & technology must function within the rules of society
ethics

32. 4 Big Ideas (Themes) in AP Biology
Big Idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.

33. Big Ideas in AP Biology
Big Idea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.

34. Big Ideas in AP Biology
Big Idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life processes.

35. Big Ideas in AP Biology
Big Idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.