CHAPTER 1 Introduction: The Scientific Study of Life

1. CHAPTER 1Introduction: The Scientific Study of Life Modules 1.7 – 1.8

2. 1.7 Living organisms and their environments form interconnecting webs • The theory of natural selection applies to all levels in life’s hierarchy • In an ecosystem, these interactions make up a complex web of relationships • The functional aspects of an ecosystem come from the structure of the ecosystem’s web

3. A web of interactions in a rain forest ecosystem Figure 1.7A

4. This African sunbird is consuming nectar, a plant product • Plants, or plant products, are the ultimate sources of food in an ecosystem Figure 1.7B

5. Energy flows in and out constantly Sun • Chemical nutrients cycle within an ecosystem’s web Inflowoflightenergy Lossofheatenergy Air Chemicalenergy Cyclingofchemicalnutrients Organisms Soil Figure 1.7C ECOSYSTEM

6. BIOLOGY AND EVERYDAY LIFE 1.8 Connection: Biology is connected to our lives in many ways • Biology is connected to a great number of important issues • Environmental problems and solutions • Genetic engineering • Medicine Figure 1.8A

7. Evaluating everyday reports in the press about a large range of subjects requires critical thinking and some familiarity with many areas of biology • In order to understand how rain forest destruction impacts global climate, it is important to understand biology from the molecular to the ecosystem level • Many technological advances stem from the scientific study of life Figure 1.8B