BIOLOGY Bio life logy study of What does
BIOLOGY Bio: “life” logy: “study of”
What does it mean to be ALIVE? Scientists have decided on a list of things that something MUST do to be considered living. § Regulation § Nutrition § Transport § Respiration § Synthesis § Growth § Excretion § Reproduction
REGULATION § The control and coordination of life activities § In higher organisms, this is accomplished by the nervous and endocrine systems
NUTRITION § Provides an organism with all of the substances necessary for the growth and repair of its tissues § Includes: Ingestion, Digestion, Egestion – Ingestion: Obtaining food from the environment (the taking IN of food for animals) – Digestion: processing of food for an organism (usually the breaking down of food) – Egestion: the elimination of solid wastes
TRANSPORT § The ABSORPTION of materials through cell membranes, and the CIRCULATION or distribution of materials to all of the cells in an organism
RESPIRATION § The chemical activities which release energy from organic molecules for use by cells § Usually GLUCOSE ATP § ATP is Adenosine triphosphate and powers cell activities
SYNTHESIS § The building of new, larger molecules from smaller ones
GROWTH § An increase in size caused by an increase in cell size and number § Often accompanied by development: when an organism changes as it grows.
EXCRETION § The processes involved with the removal of cellular waste products from the organism § These wastes include carbon dioxide, water, salts and nitrogen containing compounds.
REPRODUCTION § Results in the production in new organisms § Can be sexual or asexual § This is the only life function NOT required by an individual organism to carry out, but necessary for the species to survive
Terms Associated with Life, but NOT Life Functions § Metabolism: All chemical activities necessary to sustain life § Homeostasis: The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes in conditions
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