CHAPTER 4

Fundamentals of Biology

What makes something living?

Smallest unit of a chemical element that exhibits its chemical properties

Atom

Molecule Chemical combination of two or more atoms of the same or different elements

CellThe fundamental structural and functional unit of life

OrganismAn individual living being

Population A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular place

Community Populations of different species living in a particular place, and potentially interacting with each other

Ecosystem A community of different species interacting with one another and with their nonliving environment of matter and energy

Biosphere Parts of the earth's air, water, and soil where life is found

Levels of Levels of OrganizatiOrganizati

on of on of Matter in Matter in NatureNature

Challenges of the Sea• Every habitat has its own unique set of characteristics and

presents special challenges to the organisms that live there.

SALINITY• Diffusion – substances go from high to low

concentration

SALINITY

• Osmosis – diffusion of water across a membrane

SALINITY

REGULATION OF SALT AND WATER BALANCE• Osmoconformer

s• Osmoregulators

REGULATION OF SALT AND WATER BALANCE• Osmoregulators

• Gill pumps• Salt glands • Rectal glands• Rigid cell walls• Other solutes

TEMPERATURE• Metabolic reactions proceed faster at high temperatures

(2x faster with a 10oC increase in temperature)• Marine organisms live in narrow temperature ranges

TEMPERATURE

• Ectotherms (poikilotherms)– Sharks– Fish– Shellfish– Plankton – Reptiles

• Endotherms (homeotherms)– Mammals– Birds– Some tuna

REPRODUCTION• Asexual strategies– Clones– Fission – Budding

• Sexual strategies– Broadcast spawning– Many young– Few young– Hermaphrodites

DIVERSITY OF LIFE• FIVE KINGDOMS– Animalia

• Multi-cell, move, heterotrophs

– Plantae• Multi-cell, can’t

move, autotrophs

– Fungi• Multi-cell, can’t

move, heterotrophs

– Protista• Single cell, complex

– Monera• Single cell, simple

CLASSIFICATION – Common dolphin

CLASSIFICATION – Myopsid squid

• Kingdom – Animalia– Phylum – Mollusca• Class – Cephalopoda• Subclass - Coeloidea

– SuperOrder – Decapodiformes– Order - Teuthidae

» Family - Australiteuthidae» Genus - Australiteuthis» Species - alrichi