Life is organized.

Cells form tissues, which join to form organs. Organs work together in systems.

Life reproduces and develops.

Bacteria split in two; genes pass from generation to generation.

Life requires materials and energy.

Humans eat food, which they break down into nutrients that can be used by cells to do work.

Life responds to its environment.

A plant grows toward a source of light.

Life maintains an internal environment.

Feeback systems maintain blood sugar levels.

Life has the capacity to adapt to its environment.

Ducks, hawks, and other bird’s hollow bones.

1. Because life takes on such a wide array of forms, scientists have devised a hierarchy of levels of
biological organization, ranging from atoms to organisms.

2. The smallest particles of an element that display its properties are called atoms; when they
combine, they form molecules, such as water, glucose, or DNA.

3. Groups of molecules can form cells, which are the smallest unit of life.

4. Some organisms consist of only one cell; among multicellular organisms, groups of cells with
similar functions make up tissues.

5. Tissues combine to form organs, which work together to form organ systems.

6. Specific functions within an individual organism are carried out by groups of organs that combine
to form organ systems.

In order from least to most complex biological organization

1. Atom > Molecule > Cell > Tissue > Organ > Organ System > Organism
Some individuals of a species may possess features called adaptations that can make them better suited to
their environment. These features can contribute to organisms living longer to reproduce more.
The differential reproductive success of better suited individuals is a concept called natural selection,
which results in changes in the characteristics of a population.
Higher reproductive success among some individuals increases the number individuals with
characteristics that are better suited to the environment.
Over time, the change in the frequency of favorable traits contributes to the process of evolution, which is
an important concept when it comes to both the unity and diversity we observe in all living things.

Kingdoms
Plantae (Photosynthetic multicellular organisms)
- Ferns, Algae, etc.
Fungi
- Molds and mushrooms
- Multicellular decomposers
Protista (can range from unicellular to multicellular, photosynthetic, or not)
- Euglena & Paramecium
- Slime Molds (multicellular with a nucleus, meaning the DNA is surrounded by a membrane)
Animalia
- Cats, dogs, and humans
- Multicellular food ingesters.

The Three Domains of Life

Bacteria (Prokaryotes that can be found in all environments)
- E Coli, a bacterium
Archaea (Prokaryotes in Extreme Environments)
- Sulfolobus, an Archaean
Eukarya (which contains kingdoms Protista, Plantae, Fungi, and Animalia)
- Paramecium Aurelia, a protozoan
- Ophrys Apifera, bee orchid
- Amanita Muscaria, poisonous mushroom (all Amanitas are)
- Fish, Birds, Insects, etc. (ingests food)
Many Archaea thrive in extreme environments. Archaea are unicellular prokaryotes that are thought to be
most closely related to Eukaryotes and are the most ancient domain of life. Archaean’s chemosynthesis
foods, which means they use chemicals to digest foods.
Bacteria are unicellular prokaryotes that absorb, photosynthesize or chemosynthesis food. They can be
found almost anywhere.
!!!!!!!!REMEMBER Prokaryotes have no true nucleus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eukaryotes are unicellular or multicellular organisms that contain a membrane bounded nucleus.

Genes – Units of information within an individual’s DNA that are

“Small Packet of Information” (attached to the DNA)
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)
“Regulates Genes”

Variation arises when the genes are recombined, expressed differently, or mutated.

Levels of Classification from most to least inclusive

Example – Human Being (Homo sapiens)
Domain (Most Inclusive)
Eukarya
Supergroup
Hominoidea
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species (Least Inclusive)
Homo sapiens

Dominating King Phillip

Protists
Scientific Names

Genus + Species Name

Genus name is ALWAYS capitalized, Species is not, you must italicize it, or for simple fonts you must
underline it twice.
Homo sapiens.
Pisum Sativum.

Research Flow

Observation > Hypothesis > Experiment > Hypothesis > Experiment > Hypothesis > Experiment >
Prediction > Experiments > Confirmation > Conclusion.