Introduction to Biology What is Biology The study
Introduction to Biology
What is Biology? • The study of life • The science of living things
Origins of word “biology” • Biology (Greek or Latin origin) • Bios = life • Logos = study of
Characteristics of Life 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Cellular composition Growth Reproduction Movement Adaptation 6. 7. 8. 9. Metabolism Specific organization Homeostasis Responsiveness
Cellular Composition • Made up of at least one cell • Unicellular - made of one cell (bacteria, amoeba, paramecium) • Multicellular - made up of two or more cells (plants, fungi, animals)
Growth • Increase in cell size (unicellular) and/or an increase in cell number (multicellular)
Reproduction • Asexual- cell division (mitosis)—one cell becomes two Ex: bacteria • Sexual- union of sex cells (sperm and egg) Ex: plants and animals
Movement • 3 types: A. Place to Place- (ex: bear running, bird flying, etc) B. External Part- (ex: + phototropism, plants orient leaves toward sun) C. Internal- (ex: cytoplasmic streaming)
Adaptation • Changing to meet the needs of the environment Examples: 1. Bird migration- behavioral adaptation
Adaptation (continued) 2. Human body temperature- Physiological adaptation 3. Hibernation- physiological adaptation 4. Hare ear length (desert vs. arctic hares)structural adaptation
Metabolism • Set of chemical reactions that convert “food” into energy
Specific Organization • Certain parts do specific jobs (ex: heart, nucleus, chloroplasts, etc)
Homeostasis • Maintaining the same state Homeo = same, steady Stasis = state Examples: -Water balance inside and outside of cell -Human body temperature *Cells function best when these are in balance
Responsiveness • Reaction(s) to various stimuli Examples of stimuli: light, heat, p. H, vibration, smell, etc. – earthworms respond to all of these
Biology is a Unified Science • Biology + Chemistry + Physics= Science Why do arctic hares turn white in winter?
1. Arctic winter conditions
Kirkoff’s Laws • White: Good reflector (reflects light and heat) Poor radiator (heat is lost slowly) • Black: Good absorber (absorbs light and heat) Good radiator (heat is lost quickly)
Branches of Biology 1. Zoology- the study of animals 2. Ichthyology- the study of fish Why Important? Fish are indicator species. Alert humans to potential environmental problems
3. Mammalogy- study of mammals (NASA) 4. Ornithology- the study of birds Why important? DDT(insecticide used in ‘ 50 s and ’ 60 s) Birds of prey #s declined bioaccumulation- the build up of chemicals or toxins in living things
5. Botany- the study of plants Why important? Food production, medicines 6. Microbiology- study of small life Why important? Medicines, bioterrorism
7. Anatomy- study of an organism’s parts 8. Physiology- study of how organism’s parts work Why important? Health professions, veterinarians
9. Entomology- study of insects Why important? West Nile virus, Yellow fever– carried by mosquitoes 10. Genetics- study of heredity and genetic material (DNA/RNA, chromosomes, genes) Why important? Cloning, research, solving crime
11. Ecology- study of all life in a particular area, the relationships b/t those life forms and the environment Why important? AMD, Overpopulation Ozone Depletion/Greenhouse Effect Rainforest Destruction Pollution- other states pay to dump garbage in PA
12. Cell Biology- the study of cells Why Important? Need to know about cells to learn more about whole organisms
Biology As A Science Perspectives (3) 1. Teacher- organized body of knowledge -based on facts (some theories) -accuracy and precision important
2. Student- + or – (some like, others don’t) 3. Man or Person on the Street- science has no value -no application to everyday life (uninformed view)
Scientific Attitudes • Apply to science and everyday life 1. Careful Judgment Life examples A. Drugs/Alcohol B. Driving C. Firearms D. Sex/STDs
Scientific Attitudes 2. Desire to Learn *Based on interest* Life Examples A. Hunting/Fishing B. Sports
Scientific Attitudes 3. Cause and Effect- **when cause and effect is not understood, superstitious beliefs replace scientific ideas Science examples A. Galileo- sun-centered universe vs. earthcentered universe theory
B. Peace Corps – vitamin A shots C. Spontaneous Generation- non-living materials turn into living things Example: mud fish Life examples A. Smoking/Chewing B. Tanning Beds
Scientific Attitudes 4. Concern for Human Welfare Life examples A. Fire/Police depts. B. Clergy C. Teachers D. Scouts E. Americorps
Biology Pioneers 1. Aristotle -Greek (1 st bio. teacher) “Father of Biology and Zoology”
More on Aristotle • Supported spontaneous generation theory • Created a theory of the elements 4 elements: A. Earth B. Air C. Water D. Fire -1 st person to start classifying organisms
2. Hippocrates • Greek • “Father of Medicine” • Hippocratic Oath for doctors (part of his life -long legacy)
3. Leeuwenhoek • Dutch • His hobby was lens grinding ** He did NOT invent the microscope, he perfected microscope lenses
• He was the first person to see: A. Bacteria B. Protozoans C. Red blood cells D. Sperm cells -He did NOT support spontaneous generation
4. Lister • British • Hospital conditions were dirty & infectious • Used phenol as a disinfectant • “Father of Aseptic Surgery”
5. Fleming • British • Accidentally discovered first antibiotic (penicillin)
6. Salk and 7. Sabin
Salk and • Developed 1 st polio vaccine injection (1955) • Didn’t patent vaccine, didn’t want to profit from his discovery Sabin • Developed oral polio vaccine (1959) • Vaccines are weakened forms of disease that tricks body into making antibodies
Methods Used in Science 1. Technical Method (Cookbook Approach) -Materials are given -Directions are logical and lead to a known conclusion Ex: Water boils at what temperature F?
Technical method (continued) Directions: 1. Water in beaker 2. Heat until boiling 3. Use thermometer to measure temp.
2. Scientific (Research) Method -No materials given -No directions -Unknown conclusion
4 Basic Steps of Scientific Method 1. Observation 2. Hypothesis- educated guess that tries to explain observation 3. Test or experiment 4. Conclusion (match=finished; no match= start over again)
Goldenrod Lab • Female insects deposit fertilized eggs along goldenrod stem early in growing season. Eggs develop into larva and the plant responds by forming galls. Galls are really tumors. • Galls are plant’s response to foreign bodies invading it. • Benefits to insect:
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