1. Biology is the Study of Life
Bios=Life
-logy=study of

2. What is life?

3. Characteristics of Life
There are five main characteristics of Life
Organization
Reproduction
Growth (change)
Adjust to surroundings
Adapt and evolve

4. Organization Organisms are made up of cells (Cell Theory)
All organisms are composed of one or more cells
The cell is the smallest unit of life
All cells come from pre-existing living cells
Cells contain DNA
Unicellular—single celled
Multicellular—many celled

5. Reproduction The production of offspring
Essential for the continuation of the species.
Sexual reproduction—DNA from two different parents.
Asexual reproduction—single parent (cloning, budding)
DNA contains the genetic code aka the blueprints for inheritance

6. Changes (Growth and Development)
All organisms start out as a single cell.
Growth—increase in the amount of living material and the formation of new structures.
Growth happens at different rates for different structures.
Single cell vs Multicellular
Development—all the changes that take place during the life of an organism
Differentiation—cells look different and perform different functions

7. Adjustments to Surroundings
All living things interface with their environment
Stimulus—a signal
Response—reaction
Homeostasis—regulation of internal environment to maintain conditions suitable for its survival
Metabolism—chemical rxn in the body
Animals eat to obtain energy
Plants photosynthesize

8. Adapt and evolve
Adaptation—any inherited structure, behavior, or internal process that enables an organism to respond to environmental factors and live to produce offspring
Evolution—gradual change in a species through adaptations over time.
Direct result of the environment it is in.

9. Abiotic vs Biotic Abiotic—nonliving portions of the environment
Biotic—living portions of the environment, including things that were once living.
How would you class the following?
Tree
Rock
Dead grass after you mow
Petrified tree
Rainfall
Sunlight
Soil