Chapter 1

Themes in the Study of Life

AP Biology

2007-2008

Major Themes Biology

Scientific study of life

Properties of Life
Order Evolutionary Adaptation Response to environment Reproduction Growth & Development E processing Regulation

AP Biology

Themes Science as a process of

inquiry

questioning & investigation

Evolution Energy transfer Continuity & Change Relationship of structure to function Regulation Interdependence in nature Science, technology & society
AP Biology

Topic Outline & Percentages of Course

I. Molecules and Cells (25%)

A. Chemistry of Life (7%) Water Organic molecules in organisms Free energy changes Enzymes B. Cells (10%) Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells Membranes Subcellular organization Cell cycle and its regulation C. Cellular Energetics (8%) Coupled reactions Fermentation and cellular respiration Photosynthesis

AP Biology

 II. Heredity and Evolution

(25%)

Populations (50%)

A. Heredity (8%) Meiosis and gametogenesis Eukaryotic chromosomes Inheritance patterns B. Molecular Genetics (9%) RNA and DNA structure and function Gene regulation Mutation Viral structure and replication Nucleic acid technology and applications C. Evolutionary Biology (8%) Early evolution of life Evidence for evolution Mechanisms of evolution

A. Diversity of Organisms (8%) Evolutionary patterns Survey of the diversity of life Phylogenetic classification Evolutionary relationships B. Structure and Function of Plants and Animals (32%) Reproduction, growth, and development Structural, physiological, and behavioral adaptations Response to the environment C. Ecology (10%) Population dynamics Communities and ecosystems Global issues

AP Biology

III. Organisms and

Science as a process of inquiry Built on repeatable observations &

testable, falsifiable hypotheses

AP Biology

Evolution Core theme of biology

AP Biology

Charles Darwin

 Evolution
The process of change that has transformed life on Earth from its earliest beginnings to the diversity of organisms living today Is the fundamental organizing principle of biology & main theme

AP Biology

Natural selection Evolutionary change is a

product of the process of natural selection

AP Biology

Organisms dont adapt; Organisms have adaptations.

"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."

-- Theodosius Dobzhansky
March 1973 Geneticist, Columbia University (1900-1975)

AP Biology

2007-2008

Evolution explains unity & diversity

Unity

What do organisms have in common & why do similarities exist?

common biochemistry & physiology evolutionary relationships connected through common ancestor

Diversity

But why are there differences?

natural selection adaptations allow different

AP Biology

individuals to survive in different environments

AP Biology

Organizing systems Making sense out of the diversity Hierarchical

scheme

Eastern gray squirrel

Sciurus AP Biology carolinensis

3 Domains of Life
Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya

Bacteria

Archaea

Eukarya

AP Biology

Energy transfer Life is an open system

need input of energy

energy flows through energy comes in,

energy goes out need a constant input

need input of materials

nutrients are recycled

nutrients

around & around

DECOMPOSERS ENTROPY RULES! RULE, too!

AP Biology

Energy utilization

You think theyre eating Theyre harvesting energy!

AP Biology

Continuity & change Continuity of life is based on heritable

information in the form of DNA

DNA the genetic material carries biological information from one generation to the next
You can make more, a lot like you!

T R A I T

AP Biology

Form follows function The alignment of structure & function is

seen at all levels of biology
organ

organism

cell

organelle

AP Biology

Regulation
Organisms need to maintain a steady state
in the face of changing conditions

maintain homeostasis achieve this through feedback

monitor the body like a thermostat

turn on when its needed, off when its not

AP Biology

Interdependence No organism is an island standing alone

communities, ecosystems

AP Biology

Science, technology & society

Science & technology must function within
the rules of society

ethics

AP Biology

Themes Science as a process of

inquiry

questioning & investigation

Evolution Energy transfer Continuity & Change Relationship of structure to function Regulation Interdependence in nature Science, technology & society
AP Biology

Why study themes of Biology? Biology is an ever expanding body of

knowledge
too much to memorize it all need to generalize create a framework upon which to organize new knowledge themes are the key to understanding the nature of living organisms

AP Biology

ANY QUESTIONS?

AP Biology

2007-2008