VIDEO: WELCOME TO BIOLOGY!

WHAT IS BIOLOGY?

• Biology - the science of life

BIO= Life

OLOGY= Study of

WHAT DO BIOLOGISTS DO?

• Study the diversity of life• Research diseases• Develop technologies• Improve agriculture• Preserve the environment• And much more!

WHAT IS AN ORGANISM?

• Organism – anything that has or one had all the characteristics of life.

VIDEO: WHAT IS LIFE?

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE

1. Made of one or more cells2. Displays organization3. Grows and Develops4. Reproduces5. Responds to stimuli6. Requires energy7. Maintains homeostasis8. Adaptations evolve over time

1. MADE OF ONE OR MORE CELLS

• Cell - the basic unit of life. – All organisms are made

up of one or more cells. – Some organisms can be

unicellular, many are multicellular.

• Can you think of a unicellular and a multicellular organism?

2. DISPLAYS ORGANIZATION

• Organization – the organism is arranged in an orderly way.– Humans are complex,

multicellular organisms that display organization.

• How might the human body display organization?

3. GROWS AND DEVELOPS

• Growth – results in the addition of mass to an organism.

• Development – is the process of natural changes that take place during the life of an organism.

• What growth and development does a tree undergo during its life?

4. REPRODUCES

• Reproduction – the production of offspring– Reproduction is essential to

the survival of a species.

• Species – a group of organisms that can breed with one another and produce fertile offspring.

• What would happen if a species couldn’t reproduce?

5. RESPONDS TO STIMULI

• Stimulus – anything that is part of an environment that causes a reaction by the organism

• Response – the reaction displayed by the organism after being introduced to a stimulus

• Can you think of stimuli in your daily life?

6. REQUIRES ENERGY

• Living things needs sources of energy to fuel their life functions.

• Most organisms, such as animals, cannot make their own food.

• Plants produce their own food.

• How do humans get energy?

7. MAINTAINS HOMEOSTASIS

• Homeostasis – the regulation of an organism’s internal conditions to maintain life.

• During the winter, how does your body adjust to the season?

8. ADAPTATIONS EVOLVE OVER TIME

• Adaptation – any inherited characteristic that results from changes to a species over time– An adaptation is inherited

usually to cope with a changing environment or preference

• Using a wolf as an example, why might wolves have adapted sharp teeth?

ACTIVITY: LIVING, NONLIVING, OR DEAD

• In this activity, you will observe various items and record whether you believe they are 1) living, 2) nonliving, 3) dead.

• Record observations in lab notebook and we will discuss after everyone is finished.

SECTION 1.1 ASSESSMENT

1.Describe four characteristics used to identify whether something is alive.

2. Explain why cells are considered the basic units of living things.

3. List some careers in biology and their importance.

4.What is the difference between response and adaptation?

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY: PICK AND ORGANISM

• Each student may choose an organism of their choice and use the internet to research an adaptation that has developed over time for that organism.

• Also, note any characteristics of life from that organism.