Chapter 1:

Biology and You

What is Biology?

• Biology is the study of life and

living things.

• What does it mean to be alive?

 The 7 Themes of Biology
• The science of Biology is unified through 7
themes.

• Notice that an organism needs to exhibit each

of these themes to be considered living!
 Theme 1:Cellular Structure and Function

• What the heck does that mean?!??!

• All living things are made up of one or more

cells.
• A cell is the smallest unit capable of life.
 Theme 2: Reproduction
• When you hear the word reproduction, what do you
think of related to science? (Be appropriate)

• All living things can reproduce

• Reproduction is the process by which

organisms make more of thier own kind from
one generation to the next.
 Theme 3: Metabolism
• What is metabolism? Anyone know?
• Metabolism is the sum of all of the chemical reactions
carried out by an organism.
• All organisms need energy to carry out chemical
reactions.
• Where does almost all of the energy used by living
things originate from?
THE SUN!
 Theme 4: Homeostasis

• All living organisms must maintain a stable

internal environment (Inside thier body).
• This is known as homeostasis.
• Warmblooded animals are very good at doing
this.
• Coldblooded animals are not.
 Theme 5: Heredity

• What is heredity? What does it mean to you?

• Heredity is the passing of traits from parents to

offspring through the transfer of genes.
 Theme 6: Evolution
• When you hear the word evolution, what do you think
of?

• Evolution is the change in the inherited characteristics

of a species over time.
• All living things need to evolve over time to be able to
survive changing condtions in the environment.

• Ex: Humans today are not like humans 3 million years

ago.
 Theme 7: Interdependence
• Interdependence – Break down the word and try to
come up with a meaning for it.

• In order for organisms to survive, they need to be

dependent on one another.

• Give three examples of how humans are dependent on

other organisms. (Only 2 can be an animals)