Introduction into General Biology

1. Introduction into General Biology Dr. Cory L. Blackwell August 25, 2014

2. What is Biology???? • Bio- (life)……..-ology (study of) • Biology is the fundamental study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy • The study of biology is divided into many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines • Can you name some of these subdivisions?

3. Subdivisions of biology are recognized on the basis of the scale at which organisms are studied • Biochemistry examines the basic chemistry of life • Molecular biology studies the interactions of the systems of biological molecules • Cellular biology studies the rudimentary building block of life, the cell. • Physiology examines the physical and chemical functions of tissues and organ systems • Ecology examines how various organisms interact with one another and with the environment *List is not all-inclusive*

4. Major Contributors to the Field of Biology • Hippocrates • Anton von Leeuwenhoek • Theodor Schleiden and Matthias Schwann • Charles Darwin

5. Hippocrates • Born around 460 B.C. • Became an ambassador for medicine in spite of the strong opposition of Greek government • Resulted in Hippocrates being jailed for twenty years • The formal study of medicine dates back to Hippocrates • Known as the father of Western medicine • “Hippocratic Oath”

6. Anton von Leeuwenhoek • Born in the Netherlands in 1632 • Invented the first compound microscope which vastly increased the study of microbiology • He was the first to observe single-cell organisms in which he called “animalcules” • Robert Hooke coined the term “cells” in 1665 • Known as the “Father of Microbiology”

7. Schleiden and Schwann • Between 1838 and 1839, Schleiden and Schwann established the Cell Theory • 1. The basic unit of an organism is a cell • 2. Individual cells have all the characteristics of life • 3. All cells are derived from the division of other cells

8. Charles Darwin • Known as the “Father of Evolution” • Established that all species of life have descended from common ancestors • Proposed the scientific theory that evolution resulted from the process of Natural Selection • Published the work The Origin of Species in 1859, detailing his evidence for evolution

9. The Science of Biology

10. Biology (bio- = life; -logy = study of) is the study of living things and how they interact with their environment • Three possible states of being • Living • Dead • Non-living • But how do we define what is “living”?

11. Is this alive????

12. Is this alive????

13. Is this alive????

14. Is this alive????

15. Are They Alive???

16. Seven Characteristics of Life • Cellular organization—all living organisms consist of one or more cells • Ordered complexity—all living things are both complex and highly ordered. Living organisms contain many complex molecular structures and systems • Sensitivity—living things all react or respond to stimuli.

17. Growth, development, and reproduction—all organisms are capable growing and reproducing. Through reproducing they pass on genetic material to their offspring • Energy Utilization—all living things use energy to live and grow • Homeostasis—All organisms maintain relatively constant internal conditions that are different from their environment

18. Evolutionary adaptation—all organisms interact with other organisms and their environment in ways that influence their survival. • “Survival of the fittest” or “Only the strong survive” • http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/evolutionary-adaptation-in-the-human-lineage-12397 • “Survival of the Sickest” by Sharon Moalem

19. Hierarchical Organization • The organization of the biological world is hierarchical. Ranked from smallest to largest. • Each level builds on the level below it (upside down pyramid) • There are five levels of hierarchical organization

20. 1. Cellular Level • At the cellular level, atoms interact to form molecules. • Complex biological molecules are assembled into organelles. • Organelles are contained within membrane-bound units called cells.

21. 2. The Organismal Level • Cells, in complex multi-cellular organisms, exhibit different levels of organization • Tissues • Groups of similar cells that acts as a functional unit • Organs • Body structures composed of several different tissues • Organ systems • Multiple organs that work together to complete a function • Organism • Comprised of the different organ systems working together

22. 3. The Population Level • Individual organisms can be categorized into several hierarchical levels in the living world • Population • Group of organisms of the same species living in the same place • Species • All populations of a particular kind of organism together form a species • Biological Community • Consists of all the populations of DIFFERENT species living together in the same environment

23. 4. Ecosystem Level • The biological community AND the physical habitat in which the community lives is known as an Ecosystem • Swamps • Deserts • Amazon Jungle • Frozen Tundra

24. 5. The Biosphere • The combination of all ecosystems • The entire planet can be considered a Biosphere

25. What is Science? • Biology is the science of life • We have just defined what life is. Now its time to understand the term “science” • Science is concerned with developing an increasingly accurate understanding of the world around us using both observation and reasoning • Deductive reasoning • Inductive reasoning

26. Deductive vs. Inductive Reasoning • Deductive starts as a general statement and examines possibilities to reach a conclusion • All men are dogs. Dwayne Johnson is a man. Dwayne Johnson must be a dog. • Inductive makes broad generalizations based on specific observations (Inference) • Shakira is a great dancer. Shakira is Colombian. All Colombians are great dancers. • Deduction and Induction are the opposites

27. Scientific Method • Every scientific discipline is governed by the scientific method. • Defined as the body of techniques utilized in investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge • Five steps to the scientific method

28. 5 Steps of the Scientific Method • Present a question Will I make an “A” in biology • Form a hypothesis—a conjecture or belief based on already established information I will make an “A” in biology because I made an “A” in a previous science course • Make a prediction If I study hard then I will make an “A” this semester

29. 5 Steps of Scientific Method • Test your hypothesis (Experiment) Taking tests/quizzes throughout the semester to examine your understanding of biology “Control vs. Experimental” • Observe results and make an analysis Test/quizzes will be graded, average will be calculated to determine if an “A” is achieved (correlates with understanding the biological concepts in the class)