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Introduction to Biology. Chapter 1. Characteristics of Life. Cells: Cell theory: all living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit of structure and function, cells come from pre-existing cells Cellular structures: plasma membrane, cytoplasm, DNA
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Introduction to Biology Chapter 1
Characteristics of Life • Cells: • Cell theory: all living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit of structure and function, cells come from pre-existing cells • Cellular structures: plasma membrane, cytoplasm, DNA • Prokaryotes: no internal membrane-bound organelles • Eukaryotes: internal membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus • Unicellular versus multicellular: generalists versus specialists
Characteristics of Life… • Growth • Increase in size • Increase in number of cells • Or both • Development • Increase in complexity • Changes in function
Characteristics of Life… • Internal regulation • Metabolism – chemical reactions and energy transformations • Example: • Homeostasis – maintenance of internal balance • Example:
Characteristics of Life… • Response to stimuli • Changes – physical or chemical; internal or external… sensory information • Examples: • Responses – reactions can be physical or chemical • Examples:
Characteristics of Life… • Reproduction • Asexual – simple organisms • Advantages: • Disadvantages: • Sexual – complex organisms • Advantages: • Disadvantages:
Characteristics of Life… • Evolution • On the population scale • Means to change over time • Become more ‘suited’ to the environment… more adapted • Examples:
Organism organization • Atom (one kind of thing) • … molecules (different atoms) • … macromolecules (different functional groups) • … organelles (one function) • … cells (all functions of life) • … tissues (one type of cell) • … organs (several tissue types; one function) • … organ systems (several organ types; one function) • … organism (all the organ systems must work together)
Ecological organization • Individual organism (species) • … population (all members of one species in one place at one time) • … community (all the populations in an area) • … ecosystem (the community and nonliving parts of an area) • … biosphere (all places on Earth where life can exist)