Biology I for Non-Majors

Module 1: Introduction to Biology

Properties of Life- Order and Sensitivity to Stimuli

• Order:
• Organisms are highly organized and coordinated structures
that consist of one or more cells
• Simple, single-celled organisms are complex- atoms,
molecules, organelles, etc.
• Multicellular organisms- tissues work to create organs
• Sensitivity/Response to Stimuli:
• Organisms respond to diverse stimuli
• Movement toward stimulus is positive, while away is
negative
Properties of Life- Reproduction and Growth, Development,
and Regulation
• Reproduction
• Single-celled organisms reproduce duplicating DNA then dividing it equally as
cell divides to two new cells
• Multicellular organisms produce germline cells that will form
• Genes containing DNA passed to organism’s offspring
• Growth Development
• Organisms grow/develop following instructions coded for by genes
• Genes provide instructions to direct cellular growth
• Regulation
• Coordinate internal functions, respond to stimuli, and cope with stress
Properties of Life- Homeostasis and Energy Processing

• Homeostasis
• Conditions such as correct temp., pH, concentration of diverse
chemicals, etc. change from one moment to next
• The ability of organism to maintain constant internal conditions
• Energy Processing
• All organisms use source of energy for metabolic activities
• Organisms capture energy from sun and convert to chemical
energy (photosynthesis) or they use chemical energy in
molecules they take in as food (cellular respiration)
Levels of Organization of Living Things
• Atom is smallest and most fundamental unit
of matter- contains nucleus
• Molecule- two or more atoms joined
together
• Macromolecules- large molecules that are
formed by polymerization (DNA)
• Organelles- small structures that exist
within cells
• Cell- smallest fundamental unit of structure
and function
• Community- sum of populations
• Ecosystem- all living things
• Prokaryotes- single-celled organisms without
membrane-bound nucleus
• Eukaryotes do have membrane-bound organelles
and nucleus
• Tissue- groups of similar cells with similar/related
functions
• Organs- collections of tissues grouped together
• Population- individuals of species living within
specific area
• Biosphere- collection of ecosystems
The Diversity of Life

• Biodiversity refers to the variety of life and its

processes including variety of living organisms,
genetic differences, and communities where
they occur
• 1.9 million species alive today divided into six
kingdoms
• Provides us with our food and many
medicines/industrial products
• Provides and maintains wide array of ecological
“services”- clean air and water, soil, food, and
shelter
Phylogenetic Trees

• Phylogeny- relationship of one

organism to others
• Provide information on shared
ancestry
• Phylogenetic tree- diagram used to
reflect relationships among
organisms
• Read like a map of evolutionary
history- many trees have single
lineage at base (rooted)
Taxonomy

• Science of classifying organisms to construct

internationally shared classification systems
• Species, genus, family, order, class, phylum,
kingdom, domain
• Scientists refer to organism by genus and
species- binomial nomenclature
• Name at each level is taxon
The Branches of Biology

• Molecular/biochemistry study biological processes at molecular and chemical level

(DNA/RNA/microorganisms)
• Microbiology- study of structure and function of single-celled organisms
• Also physiologists, ecologists, geneticists, forensic scientists, and others
• Neurobiology- studies biology of nervous system
• Paleontology- uses fossils to study life’s history
• Development of technology continues- allows biologists to continue to understand history of
life
Scientific Inquiry

• Curiosity and inquiry are driving forces for development of science- scientists seek to
understand world and way it operates
• Inductive reasoning- form of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at
general conclusion
• Deductive reasoning- uses general principle or law to forecast specific results
• Descriptive science- observe, explore, and discover
• Hypothesis-based science- has specific question and potential answer
Hypothesis Testing

• Scientific method- set up inductive methods for

scientific inquiry
• Begins with observation that leads to a question
• Hypothesis- suggested explanation that can be
tested
• After hypothesis, prediction can be made
• Must be testable to ensure it is valid
• Should also be falsifiable- can be disproven through
experiment
Basic and Applied Science

• Basic science- seeks to expand knowledge regardless

of short-term application of that knowledge
• Not focused on developing product or service- knowledge
for knowledge’s sake is main purpose
• Applied science- aims to use science to solve real-
world problems
• Some believe it is useful
• Work together to solve practical problems- after
discovery of DNA
• Another link is Human Genome Project
Reporting Scientific Work

• Scientists must share findings for other researchers to

expand upon
• Communication and collaboration within and between
sub disciplines of science are key to advancement
• Peer-reviewed articles- specific papers that are
reviewed by a scientist’s colleagues, or peers
• Many journals and press don’t use peer-review system
• Results of any studies published without peer review are not
reliable and shouldn’t form basis for other work
Summary: The Process of Science

• Identify the shared characteristics of the natural sciences

• Understand the process of scientific inquiry
• Compare inductive reasoning with deductive reasoning
• Describe the goals of basic science and applied science

• Biology is the science that studies living organisms and their interactions
• Hypothesis is a tentative explanation for an observation
• Scientific Theory- well-tested explanation for set of observations
• Scientific Law- description of the behavior of an aspect of nature
• Summary of science- main goal is to expand knowledge without any expectation of short-
term
Quick Review

• What are the properties of life?

• Can you correctly order the levels of organization of living things?
• Please explain the diversity of life
• What is the purpose of phylogenetic trees?
• Are you able to explain how relationships are indicated by the binomial naming system?
• What are the main branches of biology?
• Can you identify the shared circumstances of the natural sciences?
• Do you understand the process of scientific inquiry?
• Are you able to compare inductive reasoning with deductive reasoning?
• What are the goals of basic science and applied science?