Studying

Biology
• What does a biologist study?
• Identify 3 ways biology relates
to your life?
 List the characteristics
of living organisms.
Learning
Objectives Discuss the importance
of a universal system
of measurement.
 Biology
Biology is the study of living organisms.
But what ARE living organisms?

• Identify the living

organisms in this picture?

• What living organisms are

likely in the picture that
are unseen?
Characteristics of Living Organisms

Reproduce
Genetic code

Homeostasis

Grow and
develop Metabolism

Respond to their
environment
Made of cells
 Characteristics of Living Organisms
• Can be organized into a list of around 7 characteristics:
1. Genetic code :Deoxyribonucleic acid (abbreviated DNA) is
the molecule that carries genetic information for the
development and functioning of an organism. Living
organisms are based on a universal genetic language. This
language is in the form of a molecular code; provides
instructions for making molecules called proteins which build
cells; carries genetic materials from parent to offspring
(heredity)
Characteristics of Living Organisms
2. Growth and development:
- Growth: To get bigger, some cells become larger, and other new
cells are added; to increase number of cells, cell division must
occur.
- Development: becomes mature, change into an adult; cells and
body/plant parts become specialized for certain jobs.
- Change in height, size and appearance
 Characteristics of Living Organisms
3. Respond to stimuli (sensitivity): (Respond to their
environment) Any process that results in a change in state or
activity of a cell or an organism (in terms of movement,
secretion, enzyme production, gene expression, etc.) as a
result of a stimulus.
Characteristics of Living Organisms

4. Made of cells (unicellular and multi-

cellular)
• Cells are the basic building blocks of all
living things.

Unicellular -
• made up of only 1 cell
• all life processes carried out by 1 cell
• comprise most organisms on earth
• have everything they need to be self-
sufficient

•
 Characteristics of Living Organisms
4. Made of cells (unicellular and multi-cellular)
Multi-cellular –
▪ made up of more than 1 cell
▪ cells specialized to perform specific functions (e.g., bone
cells, nerve cells, blood cells, muscle cells, root cells, leaf
cells)
 Characteristics of Living Organisms
5. Metabolism
Living organisms obtain and use material and energy; run various
chemical reactions, constantly building and breaking down
molecules, capturing and releasing energy. The summation of this
activity is called metabolism (e.g., cellular respiration in animals and
photosynthesis in plants)
6. Homeostasis: Maintain a stable internal environment despite
changes in the external environmental conditions. The term
homeostasis describes the state of stable maintenance by an
organism.
Example: Human body temperature
• if the external temperature is high, our body temperature rises, we
sweat to maintain an equilibrium between our body and the external
temperature.
• if the external temperature is low, our body temperature lowers, and
we shiver.
 Characteristics of Living Organisms
7. Reproduction must occur for species to survive; can be
sexual or asexual (i.e., offspring arise from a single
organism)
Fields of Biology
Global ecology: study of the
interaction between life
(animals, plants, microbes)
and the life support system (air,
water, soil) on Earth. Use
satellite to gather data from
different parts of the world.
Biotechnology: technology that uses
biological systems, living organisms to
create/develop different products. E.g.,
baking bread (yeast + heat); vaccine;
antibiotics.
Fields of Biology

Entomology: study of insects

Palaeontology: study of fossil
(development, anatomy,
fuels. Use scanning and x-rays to
behavior, environment)
gain information (e.g., age, origin,
constituents)
Molecular biology: study of biological
activity at a molecular level. E.g., use
computer and software to study the
structure and functions of DNA
Fields of Biology
• What are some ways that scientists in the fields of biology
described on the previous pages use technology?
Scientific Measurement
• How important is accurate measurement in science?
Scientific Measurement
0.45 liter = _______ milliliters 0.017 grams = _______ milligrams
1 kilometer = _______ meters 130 meters = _______ kilometers

5000 milligrams = _______ grams 2500 milliliters = _______ liters