WHAT IS BIOLOGY?

BIOLOGY is the study of life.

It comes from the Greek words: BIO- (life) and LOGOS

(study)

Why do you think is important to Why do you think is important to study Biology?study Biology?

1.1. To help protects endangered To help protects endangered speciesspecies

2.2. To advance in the solution of To advance in the solution of medical problemsmedical problems

3.3. To understand our bodies betterTo understand our bodies better

4.4. To protect the environmentTo protect the environment

5.5. ……

Other Sciences:Other Sciences:

ZOOLOGY

Study of animals

BOTANY

Study of Plants

MICROBIOLOGY

Study of microorganisms (bacteria, virus…)

ECOLOGY

Study of the relation of the Study of the relation of the organisms and their environmentorganisms and their environment

GEOLOGY

Study of the Earth’s surface Study of the Earth’s surface (mountains, volcanoes, minerals…)(mountains, volcanoes, minerals…)

PALEONTOLOGYPALEONTOLOGY

Study of fossilsStudy of fossils

CLIMATOLOGY

Study of clime (weather)Study of clime (weather)

HYDROLOGY

Study of water resources (rivers, Study of water resources (rivers, lakes, oceans…)lakes, oceans…)

GEOGRAPHY

Study of maps, populations, countries economics…

ANTHROPOLOGY

Study of human populationsStudy of human populations

CHEMISTRY

Study of chemical interactions

WHAT DOES “ TO BE ALIVE” MEAN?

1. LIVING THINGS ARE 1. LIVING THINGS ARE ORGANIZEDORGANIZED

All living things are made of cells All living things are made of cells (UNICELLULAR or MULTICELLULAR)(UNICELLULAR or MULTICELLULAR)

1. 1. AtomsAtoms (ex: Hydrogen) (ex: Hydrogen)2. 2. MoleculesMolecules (ex: water H (ex: water H22O)O)3. 3. CellsCells (ex: Bacteria) (ex: Bacteria)4. 4. TissueTissue (ex: skin) (ex: skin)

5. 5. OrganOrgan (ex. Liver) (ex. Liver)6. 6. SystemSystem (ex. Digestive system) (ex. Digestive system)7. 7. Organisms Organisms (ex: a human)(ex: a human)8. 8. PopulationPopulation (ex: a group of lions) (ex: a group of lions)9. 9. CommunityCommunity (ex: lions+ zebras+ (ex: lions+ zebras+

hyenas)hyenas)10. 10. EcosystemEcosystem (ex: lions+ zebras+ (ex: lions+ zebras+

hyenas+ trees+ mountains+ air)hyenas+ trees+ mountains+ air)11. 11. BiosphereBiosphere (All places where Living (All places where Living

things are found. Ex: The planet things are found. Ex: The planet Earth)Earth)

2. LIVING THINGS MAKE MORE 2. LIVING THINGS MAKE MORE LIVING THINGSLIVING THINGS

REPRODUCTIONREPRODUCTION (Production of more (Production of more offspring). offspring).

SPECIESSPECIES: Group of organisms that : Group of organisms that CAN INTERBREEDCAN INTERBREED and produce and produce

FERTILEFERTILE offspring. offspring.

Ex: Ex:

CAN A GREAT DANE AND A CHIHUAHUA

INTERBREED?

CAN A HORSE AND A DONKEY INTERBREED?

MULE (FEMALE HORSE+ MALE DONKEY). MULES CAN NOT REPRODUCE. DONKEYS

AND HORSES ARE NOT THE SAME SPECIES.

CAN A LION AND A TIGER INTERBREED?

LIGER (LION+ TIGER) THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE. TIGERS AND

LIONS ARE NOT THE SAME SPECIES.

3. LIVING THINGS NEED ENERGY

Some organisms such as Plants use SUNLIGHT as the source of energy (Photosynthesis)

Animals need TO EAT (SUGARS) to get the energy that they need.

Once the sugars are used, they release GAS into the air (CO2)

Energy is used to grow, move, reproduce…

4. LIVING THINGS CHANGE DURING THEIR LIVES

GAMETES (male and female)

The organisms GROWS and DEVELOPS taking

the characteristics of its species

SPERM

EGG

CELL

Is it the same to grow than to develop?

NOGROW: The increase in mass

or dimensions of an organism with time.

DEVELOP: To change the characteristics of an organisms. To mature.

5. LIVING THINGS ADJUST TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT

All living things interact with the environment in which they live.

STIMULUS (stimuli): It is any condition in the environment that requires an organism to adjust.

RESPONSE:The reaction to a stimulus.

Ex:1. What does the bear do when it is cold?HIBERNATE(Stimulus: To be cold/ Response:

Hibernate)2. What does the deer do when notes the

presence of the deer hunter?3. What do humans do when they are

cold?4. What do humans do when they are hot?

Animals must maintain certain body conditions in order to survive.

HOMEOSTASIS: Internal regulation of an organism to maintain the conditions needed to survive.

Ex: Shiver, sweat, to be thirsty…

5. LIVING THINGS ADAPT AND EVOLVE

ADAPTATION: Any structure or behavior that enables an organism to better survive.

Ex: White fur in polar bearsAnd black skin

Ex: Orquids that resemble insects

Birds have hollow spongy bones so that they will be light enough to fly

Arctic animals have layers of fat and thick coats of fur to keep warm.

Activity:Try the following actions WITHOUT

USING YOUR THUMB:

A. Tie a knot in a piece of string. B. Remove one shoe and replace it on

your foot. C. Unbutton two buttons and button

them again. D. Write your name on a piece of

paper.

Humans are adapted for the things they do.

Ex: Our hand.Humans, monkeys or gorillas, have a

hand that can grasp objects.    

EVOLUTION: Gradual accumulation of adaptation over time in a species.