1. Chapter 1
Biology and You

2. Everyone is a Biologist !
Biologist – a person who studies biology
Biology – the study of LIFE
Bio- = life
-logy = study of

3. Topics for consumption…
What are the characteristics of life?
How do we describe the diversity of living things?
How do we go about the study of life?

4. What are the characteristics of life?

5. Characteristics of Life
Cellular structure and function
Reproduction
Metabolism
Homeostasis
Heredity
Evolution
Interdependence

6. Cellular Structure and Function
All living things are made of one or more cells
The cell is the smallest unit of life
Cells have a highly ordered structure
Cells Tissues Organs Organ Systems

7. Reproduction All living things reproduce (make more of themselves)
Reproduction is essential to the survival of the species
Asexual reproduction - involves a single parent; progeny are genetically identical to the parent.
Sexual reproduction - involves 2 parents; progeny are genetically diverse.

8. Metabolism The sum of all the chemical reaction in the body or cell
Provides energy for all life functions
Important Processes
ATP Cycling
Photosynthesis
Cellular Respiration

9. Homeostasis
The ability of an organism to maintain its internal environment despite conditions in the external environment.

10. Heredity Defined as the ability to pass on traits to offspring
Hereditary information is stored in our DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) found in the cell
Genes - sets of instructions for making proteins and the mechanism for passing on traits
Mutations - any change in a gene; can be positive, negative or neutral
Mutations that occur in the sex cells will be passed down to the next generation; mutations occurring in somatic (other body cells) will not

11. Evolution Defined as change in inherited traits of a species over time
Species - any group of genetically similar (same type/number of genes) individuals that can produce fertile offspring (offspring that can reproduce)
Individuals with favorable genes are more likely to live, reproduce and pass on their genes; making those traits more prominent in the population. Darwin called this natural selection.
Adaptation - an inherited behavior or characteristic that enables an organism to survive & reproduce.

12. Interdependence Organisms interact with and often depend on each other
Ecology - the study of these interactions

13. Biology Advances in Everyday Life
Living in harmony with our environment
Humans can be very destructive to the environment; therefore biologists are learning how to
Conserve current natural resources
Learn about and from extinct species
Restore a more natural balance in the environment
Feeding a growing population
To produce enough food biologists are Learning how to
Grow crops more efficiently, protecting them from disease, drought, and infestation
Genetically engineering (altering) plants to make them stronger

14. Fighting disease
AIDS - (Acquired Immune Deficiency Disorder); caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Disorder)
People who have developed AIDS can not fight off otherwise non-lethal diseases
Biologists study the transmission and progression of this disease in order to stop the spread and attempt to treat and maybe someday cure this condition
Cancer
Occurs when cells divide uncontrollably
Biologists study the processes of cell division to develop treatments and have identified many underlying causes of this condition allowing prevention a many cases
Cystic Fibrosis
Attacks the lungs of the affected causing the body to produce a thick sticky mucus that impairs breathing, also affects many other organs functioning
Biologists now know this is a genetic disorder passed on from parent to child
Currently in development are gene therapies that may one day cure this ailment, this would hopefully replace the painful and limited treatments available today

15. How do we describe the diversity of living things?

16. Categorizing Organisms
Biodiversity refers to the many different types of organisms on earth.
Taxonomy is the biological science that classifies life according to evolutionary relationships.
The Domain is the largest group of organisms and can be divided into six kingdoms.

17. Seven Levels of the Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Kings Play Chess On Funny Green Squares
Keep Pots Clean Or Family Gets Sick

18. How do we go about the study of life?

19. The Scientific Process/Method
Scientific Method of Investigation - Organized framework followed for most scientific studies
Six common stages:
a. Collecting observations: act of noting or perceiving objects or events using the senses
b. Asking questions: who, what, where, when, how, and why
c. Forming a hypothesis: an explanation that might be true and Making a prediction: an expected outcome of a test assuming your hypothesis is correct
d. Confirming predictions: proving your hypothesis/predictions to be true or false through observation, research, or experimentation
e. Drawing conclusions: determining if your hypothesis has been confirmed or rejected (NOT PROVEN!)
f. Sharing results: through publication or other public means

20. The Scientific Experiment
A planned process to test a hypothesis
Controlled experiments have the following elements:
Control group – receives no experimental treatment
Experimental group - receives the experimental treatment
Independent variable – the factor that is varied of changed
Dependent variable – the factor that is measured (will be affected by the independent variable)

21. Levels of scientific thought…
What is difference between hypothesis, theory & law?
Hypothesis - “an educated guess”; a tentative explanation of phenomena.
Theory - a widely accepted explanation of natural phenomena; has stood up to thorough & continual testing.
Law - a statement of what always occurs under certain conditions.