the properties of life
all living organisms share several key characteristics
order
organisms are highly organized, coordinated structures that consist of 1 or more cells
sensitivity to environment
organisms respond to diverse stimuli
ex. of sensitivity to environment
plants can bend towards a source of light, climb on fences, or respond to touch
reproduction
organisms can reproduce, creating new life
growth and development
organisms grow and develop following specific instructions coded by their genes
regulation
organisms have regulatory, mechanisms to coordinate internal functions, respond to stimuli, and cope with environmental stress
ex. of regulation
nutrient transport, blood flow
homeostasis
organisms are able to maintain internal conditions within a narrow range almost constantly, despite environmental change, through homeostasis
ex. of homeostasis
thermoregulation
energy processing
all organisms use a source of energy for their metabolic activities
ex. of energy processing
photosynthesis, cellular respiration
levels or organization
atoms, molecules, macromolecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs and organ systems, organisms/populations/communities, ecosystems, biosphere
organization of matter
atoms, molecules, organelles, and cells
atoms
fundamental unit of matter
molecules
are formed from atoms
macromolecules
many molecules that are biologically important
organelles
are formed by arregates of macromolecules
cells
created by a bunch of organelles
organization of life
from a single organelle to the entire biosphere, living organisms are part of highly structured hierarchy
features of cells
plasma membrane, cytoplasm, DNA, ribosomes
plasma membrane
an outer covering that separates the cells interior form surrounding environment
cytoplasm
consist of a jelly-like region within the cell in which other cellular components are found
DNA
genetic material of cell
ribosomes
particles that synthesize proteins
prokaryotic cells
are nucleoid, no membrane-bound organelles, cell walls, some have pili or flagella
nuleoid
no nucleus
eukaryotic cells
typically larger, true nucleus, membrane-bound organelles
true nucleus
DNA is surrounded by membrane
biodiversity
refers to the variety of life and its processes
varieties
variety among diff living organisms; variety within populations
phylogeny
evolutionary history and relationship of an organisms or group of organisms
phylogenetic tree
is s diagram showing the evolutionary pathways and connections among organisms
relationship in phylogenetic trees
these phylogenetic tree show the relationship of the 3 domains of life
the 3 domains of life
bacteria, archaea, and eukarya
taxonomy
is the science of classifying organisms
paleontology
history of life using fossils
molecular biology and biochemistry
biological processes at the molecular and chemical level
microbiology
structure and function of single-celled organisms
neurobiology
the nervous system
zoology
animals
botany
plants
genetics
heredity and genes
ecology
how organisms interact with other organisms and within their environment
biotechnology
how to use biological process, for example manipulating micro-organisms to produce meds
forensic biology
applications of biology to law
physiology
functions of organisms and their plants
forming a hypothesis
hypotheses must be testable and falsifiable
experimental design
consider sample size and selection and how to avoid bias
experimental variables
determine the independent and dependent variables and what variables to control in the experiment
interpreting results
gather data by measuring the dependent variable than assess whether the results are statistically significant