PowerLecture: Chapter 1 Learning About Human Biology

PowerLecture:PowerLecture:Chapter 1Chapter 1

Learning About Learning About Human BiologyHuman Biology

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

List features that distinguish living organisms List features that distinguish living organisms from nonliving matter.from nonliving matter.

Describe the general pattern of energy flow Describe the general pattern of energy flow through Earth’s life forms, and explain how through Earth’s life forms, and explain how Earth’s resources are used again and again Earth’s resources are used again and again (cycled).(cycled).

Explain the interdependency that exists Explain the interdependency that exists among organisms.among organisms.

List the steps of the scientific method of List the steps of the scientific method of inquiry and use an example to illustrate.inquiry and use an example to illustrate.

Learning Objectives (cont’d)Learning Objectives (cont’d)

Define the word “theory” as correctly used in Define the word “theory” as correctly used in science.science.

Understand as well as you can what Understand as well as you can what limitations are imposed on science and limitations are imposed on science and scientists.scientists.

Explain the importance of alternative Explain the importance of alternative hypotheses and control groups in scientific hypotheses and control groups in scientific experimentation.experimentation.

Impacts/IssuesImpacts/Issues

What Kind of World Do What Kind of World Do We Live In?We Live In?

What Kind of World Do We Live In?What Kind of World Do We Live In?

Current world events seem chaotic.Current world events seem chaotic. Infectious diseases such as Infectious diseases such as

““bird flu” pose global threats.bird flu” pose global threats. Natural disasters cause Natural disasters cause

widespread devastation.widespread devastation. Human activities greatly affect Human activities greatly affect

our environment.our environment.

What Kind of World Do We Live In?What Kind of World Do We Live In?

Despite the chaos, we have tools available Despite the chaos, we have tools available to help us meet these challenges. to help us meet these challenges.

Systematic observation allows us to ask Systematic observation allows us to ask questions and find answers.questions and find answers.

Scientific investigation helps us to understand Scientific investigation helps us to understand our place in the world.our place in the world.

Useful References for Impacts/IssuesUseful References for Impacts/Issues

The latest references for topics covered in this section can be found at The latest references for topics covered in this section can be found at the book companion website. Log in to the book’s e-resources page at the book companion website. Log in to the book’s e-resources page at www.thomsonedu.com to access InfoTrac articleswww.thomsonedu.com to access InfoTrac articles. .

U.S. EPA: Global Warming SiteU.S. EPA: Global Warming Site InfoTrac: The Great Plague. Rene Skelton. InfoTrac: The Great Plague. Rene Skelton.

National Geographic WorldNational Geographic World, Mar. 1999., Mar. 1999. InfoTrac: Avian Flu: Why All the Squawk? InfoTrac: Avian Flu: Why All the Squawk?

Linda S. Nield. Linda S. Nield. ConsultantConsultant, Feb. 1, 2006, Feb. 1, 2006..

How Would You Vote?How Would You Vote?To conduct an instant in-class survey using a classroom response To conduct an instant in-class survey using a classroom response system, access the “JoinIn Clicker Content” from the PowerLecture main system, access the “JoinIn Clicker Content” from the PowerLecture main menu. menu.

Should the United States provide funding to Should the United States provide funding to help preserve the reefs?help preserve the reefs? a. Yes: Without readily available green products a. Yes: Without readily available green products

and services, converting to a sustainable society and services, converting to a sustainable society is unrealistic.is unrealistic.

b. Not entirely: I'm doing what I can to improve b. Not entirely: I'm doing what I can to improve sustainability, including recycling and using less sustainability, including recycling and using less energy. energy.

Useful References for Useful References for How Would You Vote?How Would You Vote?


InfoTrac: Should the Arabian (Persian) Gulf InfoTrac: Should the Arabian (Persian) Gulf become a marine sanctuary? become a marine sanctuary? OceanusOceanus, Fall , Fall 1993 v36 n3 p53(10). 1993 v36 n3 p53(10).

NCDC: Regional Perspectives: Seas of the NCDC: Regional Perspectives: Seas of the Middle EastMiddle East

Section 1Section 1

The Characteristics of The Characteristics of LifeLife

The Characteristics of Life The Characteristics of Life

Living and nonliving things Living and nonliving things

share common characteristics, share common characteristics,

such as being composed of such as being composed of

atoms, the smallest units of atoms, the smallest units of

natural substances. natural substances.

The Characteristics of LifeThe Characteristics of Life

Living things, though, have many distinctive Living things, though, have many distinctive features:features:

Living things take in and use Living things take in and use energy and materials.energy and materials.

Living things sense and respond Living things sense and respond to specific changes in their to specific changes in their environment.environment.

Living things reproduce and grow.Living things reproduce and grow. Living things consist of one or more cells.Living things consist of one or more cells. Living things maintain homeostasis (dynamic Living things maintain homeostasis (dynamic

balance).balance).Figure 1.1Figure 1.1

Useful References for Section 1Useful References for Section 1


PBS: DNAPBS: DNA InfoTrac: The Meaning of Life. Lin Chao. InfoTrac: The Meaning of Life. Lin Chao.

BioScienceBioScience, Mar. 2000., Mar. 2000. InfoTrac: The Mystery of Life. Carl Sagan. InfoTrac: The Mystery of Life. Carl Sagan.

UNESCO CourierUNESCO Courier, Sept. 1984., Sept. 1984.

Section 2Section 2

Our Place in Our Place in the Natural Worldthe Natural World

Our Place in the Natural WorldOur Place in the Natural World

Humans have evolved over time.Humans have evolved over time. Human beings are a Human beings are a

part of biological part of biological

evolutionevolution—the change —the change

in organisms through in organisms through

the generations.the generations. Humans are mammals Humans are mammals

belonging to the animal belonging to the animal

kingdom, one of the four kingdom, one of the four

kingdoms of life in the domain Eukarya.kingdoms of life in the domain Eukarya.Figure 1.2Figure 1.2

Our Place in the Natural WorldOur Place in the Natural World

Humans are related to all other organismsHumans are related to all other organisms—and humans also have some distinctive —and humans also have some distinctive features.features.

Humans share characteristics Humans share characteristics with our closest primate with our closest primate relatives.relatives.

Humans also have distinctive Humans also have distinctive features: increased dexterity, features: increased dexterity, large brain, analytical skills, large brain, analytical skills, sophisticated communication, sophisticated communication, and culture.and culture.

Figure 1.3Figure 1.3

Video: Earliest Homo SapiensVideo: Earliest Homo Sapiens

This video clip is available in CNN Today This video clip is available in CNN Today Videos for Biology, 2004, Volume VIII. Videos for Biology, 2004, Volume VIII. Instructors, contact your local sales Instructors, contact your local sales representative to order this volume, while representative to order this volume, while supplies last.supplies last.



InfoTrac: The Human Genus. Bernard Wood, InfoTrac: The Human Genus. Bernard Wood, Mark Collard. Mark Collard. ScienceScience, April 2, 1999., April 2, 1999.

InfoTrac: A Tale Told by DNA. Nell Boyce. InfoTrac: A Tale Told by DNA. Nell Boyce. U.S. News & World ReportU.S. News & World Report, Dec. 16, 2002., Dec. 16, 2002.

Section 3Section 3

Life’s OrganizationLife’s Organization


Life is organized on many levels.Life is organized on many levels. Atoms and molecules are nonliving materials Atoms and molecules are nonliving materials

from which all of nature is built. from which all of nature is built. Cells are organized into increasingly complex Cells are organized into increasingly complex

levels: tissues >>> organs >>> organ systems levels: tissues >>> organs >>> organ systems >>> organisms. >>> organisms.

Organisms, in turn, form populations >>> Organisms, in turn, form populations >>> communities >>> ecosystems >>> biosphere. communities >>> ecosystems >>> biosphere.

Levels of Organization in NatureLevels of Organization in Nature


Fig. 1.4, p. 4-5

Fig. 1.4, p. 4-5


Organisms are connected through the flow Organisms are connected through the flow of energy and cycling of materials. of energy and cycling of materials.

Energy flows from the sun. Energy flows from the sun. • Plants (“producers”) trap this energy by Plants (“producers”) trap this energy by

photosynthesis. photosynthesis. • Animals (“consumers”) feed on the stored energy in Animals (“consumers”) feed on the stored energy in

plants, using cellular respiration.plants, using cellular respiration.• Bacteria and fungi (“decomposers”) break down the Bacteria and fungi (“decomposers”) break down the

biological molecules of other organisms in order to biological molecules of other organisms in order to recycle raw materials.recycle raw materials.

All organisms are part of webs that depend on All organisms are part of webs that depend on one another for energy and raw materials. one another for energy and raw materials.

Flow of Energy and Cycling of Materials in Flow of Energy and Cycling of Materials in the Biospherethe Biosphere


Video: BiodiversityVideo: Biodiversity

This video clip is available in CNN Today This video clip is available in CNN Today Videos for Environmental Science, 2003, Videos for Environmental Science, 2003, Volume VI. Instructors, contact your local Volume VI. Instructors, contact your local sales representative to order this volume, sales representative to order this volume, while supplies last.while supplies last.



Ecological Society of AmericaEcological Society of America InfoTrac: Lost at Sea: Coral Reefs, InfoTrac: Lost at Sea: Coral Reefs,

Considered the ‘Rainforests’ of the Marine Considered the ‘Rainforests’ of the Marine World, Now Have Even More in Common World, Now Have Even More in Common with Those Fragile Ecosystems. Scott with Those Fragile Ecosystems. Scott Kirkwood. Kirkwood. National ParksNational Parks, Spring 2006., Spring 2006.

Section 4Section 4

Science Is a Way of Science Is a Way of Learning about the Learning about the

Natural WorldNatural World

Science is an approach to gathering Science is an approach to gathering knowledge. knowledge.

Biology, like all science, pursues a methodical Biology, like all science, pursues a methodical search for information that reveals the secrets search for information that reveals the secrets of the natural world.of the natural world.

Science Is a Way of Learning about the Science Is a Way of Learning about the Natural WorldNatural World



Explanations are sought using an approach Explanations are sought using an approach known as the known as the scientific methodscientific method: : • Observe some aspect of the natural world and ask a Observe some aspect of the natural world and ask a

question.question.• Develop Develop hypotheseshypotheses (educated guesses) using all (educated guesses) using all

known information.known information.• Predict what the outcome would be if the hypothesis is Predict what the outcome would be if the hypothesis is

valid.valid.• Test the hypothesis by experiments, models, and Test the hypothesis by experiments, models, and

observations.observations.• Repeat the tests for consistency.Repeat the tests for consistency.• Analyze and report objectively on the tests and Analyze and report objectively on the tests and

conclusions.conclusions.

Fig. 1.7b, p. 7

Results 93 of 529 people get cramps later(17.6%)

89 of 563 people get cramps later(15.8%)

Experiment Control GroupEats regular potato chips

Experimental GroupEats Olestra potato chips

Fig. 1.7b, p. 7

ConclusionPercentages are about equal. People who eat potato chips made with Olestra are just as likely to get intestinal cramps as those who eat potato chips made without Olestra. These results do not support the hypothesis.

HypothesisOlestra® causes intestinal cramps.

PredictionPeople who eat potato chips made with Olestra will be more likely to get intestinal cramps than those who eat potato chips made without Olestra.

Stepped Art


Experiments are major scientific tools.Experiments are major scientific tools. ExperimentsExperiments involve tests in which conditions involve tests in which conditions

are carefully controlled. are carefully controlled. • Control groupsControl groups are used to identify side effects are used to identify side effects

during a test that involves an experimental group. during a test that involves an experimental group. • The experimental group experiences all of the same The experimental group experiences all of the same

conditions as the control except for the conditions as the control except for the variablevariable being studied.being studied.

The sample size must be large enough to be The sample size must be large enough to be representative of the whole.representative of the whole.

Sampling ErrorSampling Error



Science is an ongoing enterprise. Science is an ongoing enterprise. Single experiments rarely provide concrete Single experiments rarely provide concrete

answers.answers. Not all science is performed by conducting Not all science is performed by conducting

experiments.experiments.



National Health Museum: Discovery, Chance, and the National Health Museum: Discovery, Chance, and the Scientific MethodScientific Method

InfoTrac: Water Saver: Could a Population Boom InfoTrac: Water Saver: Could a Population Boom Cause a Decline in One Bay’s Water Quality? Mona Cause a Decline in One Bay’s Water Quality? Mona Chiang. Chiang. Science WorldScience World, Sept. 19, 2005., Sept. 19, 2005.

InfoTrac: The Real Method of Scientific Discovery …InfoTrac: The Real Method of Scientific Discovery …Often Involves a Creative, Imaginative Leap. Burton S. Often Involves a Creative, Imaginative Leap. Burton S. Guttman. Guttman. Skeptical InquirerSkeptical Inquirer, Jan.–Feb. 2004., Jan.–Feb. 2004.

Section 5Section 5

Cancer, Broccoli, and Cancer, Broccoli, and Mighty MiceMighty Mice

Cancer, Broccoli, and Mighty MiceCancer, Broccoli, and Mighty Mice

Researchers discovered that sulforaphane in Researchers discovered that sulforaphane in broccoli could reduce cancers in mice. broccoli could reduce cancers in mice.

However, they also learned that the body’s However, they also learned that the body’s own defenses play a vital role. own defenses play a vital role.




Cancer Research Institute: Cervical Cancer Cancer Research Institute: Cervical Cancer Vaccine ApprovedVaccine Approved

InfoTrac: My Life as a Guinea Pig: Clinical InfoTrac: My Life as a Guinea Pig: Clinical Trials Are Inherently Risky, But One Saved Trials Are Inherently Risky, But One Saved Me. Jamie Reno. Me. Jamie Reno. NewsweekNewsweek, Aug. 6, 2001., Aug. 6, 2001.

InfoTrac: Anti-cancer Veggies. InfoTrac: Anti-cancer Veggies. Natural LifeNatural Life, , May–June 2006.May–June 2006.

Section 6Section 6

Science in PerspectiveScience in Perspective


A scientific theory explains a large number A scientific theory explains a large number of observations.of observations.

A A theorytheory is a related set of hypotheses that is a related set of hypotheses that form a broad-ranging explanation of many form a broad-ranging explanation of many phenomena.phenomena.

Theories are accepted or rejected on the basis Theories are accepted or rejected on the basis of tests and are subject to revision.of tests and are subject to revision.

Scientists must be content with relative Scientists must be content with relative certainty, which becomes stronger as more certainty, which becomes stronger as more repetitions are made.repetitions are made.

Scientists must be prepared to change their Scientists must be prepared to change their minds in light of new evidence.minds in light of new evidence.


Science has limits.Science has limits. Science is limited to questions that can be tested; Science is limited to questions that can be tested;

subjective questions do not readily lend subjective questions do not readily lend themselves to scientific analysis or experiments.themselves to scientific analysis or experiments.

Science has the potential to Science has the potential to

be used for controversial be used for controversial

endeavors, which means that endeavors, which means that

all of society must commit to all of society must commit to

responsible use of scientific responsible use of scientific

knowledge.knowledge.Figure 1.9Figure 1.9

Fig. 1.9b, p. 9

Video: Smog PollutionVideo: Smog Pollution

This video clip is available in CNN Today This video clip is available in CNN Today Videos for Environmental Science, 2004, Videos for Environmental Science, 2004, Volume VII. Instructors, contact your local Volume VII. Instructors, contact your local sales representative to order this volume, sales representative to order this volume, while supplies last.while supplies last.



American Journal of BioethicsAmerican Journal of Bioethics PBS: NOVA—The Stem Cell DebatePBS: NOVA—The Stem Cell Debate InfoTrac: Scientists at War. Leif J. Robinson. InfoTrac: Scientists at War. Leif J. Robinson.

OdysseyOdyssey, Feb. 2002., Feb. 2002. InfoTrac: Above All, Do No Harm. Stephen Jay InfoTrac: Above All, Do No Harm. Stephen Jay

Gould. Gould. Natural HistoryNatural History, Oct. 1998., Oct. 1998. InfoTrac: Bioethics and the Stem Cell Research InfoTrac: Bioethics and the Stem Cell Research

Debate. Robyn S. Shapiro. Debate. Robyn S. Shapiro. Social EducationSocial Education, May–, May–June 2006.June 2006.

Section 7Section 7

Critical Thinking in Critical Thinking in Science and LifeScience and Life

Critical Thinking in Science and Life Critical Thinking in Science and Life

Critical thinkingCritical thinking is an objective evaluation is an objective evaluation of information. of information.

Consider the source.Consider the source. Let credible scientific evidence, not opinions or Let credible scientific evidence, not opinions or

hearsay, do the convincing.hearsay, do the convincing. Question credentials and motives.Question credentials and motives.

Evaluate the content.Evaluate the content. Be able to distinguish between Be able to distinguish between

causecause and and correlationcorrelation.. Separate Separate factsfacts from from opinionsopinions..




Scientific AmericanScientific American: Smart People Believe : Smart People Believe Weird ThingsWeird Things

InfoTrac: Question Authority: Kids Need to InfoTrac: Question Authority: Kids Need to Be Skeptical of the Curriculum. It’s the Only Be Skeptical of the Curriculum. It’s the Only Way to Develop a Balanced View of the Way to Develop a Balanced View of the World. Glenn DeVoogd. World. Glenn DeVoogd. School Library School Library JournalJournal, April 2006., April 2006.

Section 8Section 8

Are Herbal Supplements Are Herbal Supplements Safe?Safe?

Are Herbal Supplements Safe?Are Herbal Supplements Safe?

Controversy surrounds the use of herbal Controversy surrounds the use of herbal supplements. supplements.

Some supplements have Some supplements have been linked to harm in been linked to harm in humans.humans.

Other supplements have Other supplements have been shown to offer no been shown to offer no biologically observed effect.biologically observed effect.

Rigorous testing of supplements is currently Rigorous testing of supplements is currently being undertaken by the National Institute of being undertaken by the National Institute of Health and others.Health and others.


Video: Ephedra DangersVideo: Ephedra Dangers

This video clip is available in CNN Today This video clip is available in CNN Today Videos for Biology, 2003, Volume VII. Videos for Biology, 2003, Volume VII. Instructors, contact your local sales Instructors, contact your local sales representative to order this volume, while representative to order this volume, while supplies last.supplies last.



U.S. FDA: Dietary SupplementsU.S. FDA: Dietary Supplements InfoTrac: Any Science Behind the Hype of InfoTrac: Any Science Behind the Hype of

‘Natural’ Dietary Supplements? Teri Capriotti. ‘Natural’ Dietary Supplements? Teri Capriotti. Dermatology NursingDermatology Nursing, Oct. 2005., Oct. 2005.

InfoTrac: Ephedra/Ephedrine Dangers. David InfoTrac: Ephedra/Ephedrine Dangers. David Nicklin. Nicklin. Patient Care for the Nurse Patient Care for the Nurse PractitionerPractitioner, June 2003., June 2003.

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PowerLecture: Chapter 1 Learning About Human Biology