CHAPTER 1: THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF LIFE

Life Science 141

Dr Stephen Boatwright & Lilburne Cyster

Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
 1.1 What Is Life

Biology: Scientific Study of Life

Life has Five Qualities

1) Organisation
Atoms molecules organelles cells tissues organs organ systems

2) Energy Use
Metabolism

3) Maintenance of Internal Consistency

Homeostasis

4) Reproduction, Growth and Development

Sexual and Asexual Reproduction

5) Evolution
Natural Selection
 1.2 The Tree Of Life Includes Three Main Branches

Taxonomy: Biological Science of Naming and Classifying Organisms

Basic unit is Species

Closely related Species grouped together in Genera

Broadest taxonomic category is the Domain:

Domain Archaea
Domain Bacteria Prokaryotes
Domain Eukarya Eukaryotes
 1.3 Scientists Study The Natural World

Scientific Method

Hypothesis: Tentative explanation for one or more observations

Control/Normal group