Introduction to Life Science,

Earth and Life Science

OBJECTIVE
• At the end of this lesson, you should
be able to describe how unifying
themes (e.g., structure and function,
evolution, and ecosystems) show the
connections among living things and
how they interact with each other and
with their environment.
ECOLOGY
•Ecology is the branch of
biology that deals with the
study of living organisms and
their relationships with each
other and their environment.
Biological Systems
Biological Systems
• A system consists of related parts that
interact with each other to form a
whole. It has different parts, but each
plays a significant role for the whole
to function as one. Without the help
from each other, it cannot fully
perform its function.
Levels of Organization
• The cells are considered as the basic unit of life.
• All living organisms are made up of cells.
• When cells come together, they form the tissues. A
group of tissues that perform the same functions
form the organs.
• A group of organs that works together form the
different organ systems.
• An organism consists of many organ systems but
functions as one individual.
Forms and Functions
• The function of an organism or a part of an
organism greatly depends on its form and
structure. It is related to how it works.

• An example of this is the webbed foot of a

duck which helps the duck swim and search
for their food under water. Others birds have
different structures of feet used for perching
and grasping food
Reproduction and
Inheritance
• Reproduction ensures the survival of species.
All living organisms reproduce either
through asexual or sexual reproduction.
• In asexual reproduction, the offspring
inherits the genes from a single
parent.
• However in sexual reproduction, the
offspring inherit the genes from two
individual parents.
Reproduction and
Inheritance
• Some examples of animals that undergo
asexual reproduction include earthworms,
hydra, planaria, and bacteria.
• Animals that undergo sexual reproduction
include some reptiles, fishes, insects, and
mammals.
Energy and Life
• Living organisms obtain energy from the
food they eat.

• Plants undergo photosynthesis where they

convert the energy from the sun into sugar.

• Since most of the animals cannot produce

their own energy, they get the energy from
the consumption and assimilation of the
biomass of plants and other animals.
Thermal Regulation
• The ability of an organism to regulate their
internal conditions is called homeostasis.
• Humans have to maintain a body temperature
of 37 C. When the temperature outside our
bodies becomes hot, the skin cools down by
perspiration, maintaining the normal body
temperature.
Adaptation and Evolution
• Evolution is the change in the physical and
heritable traits of organisms over successive
generations. Organisms change over time to
acclimate to their environment in order to
survive. If they fail to adapt to the changes,
they usually become extinct.

• Evolution takes time, usually decades.

Adaptation and Evolution
• One contemporary example of adaptation is
the Aedes aegypti or the mosquito famous for
carrying dengue that caused major outbreaks
nationwide. Their eggs were able to survive
with scarce or no rainwater which is essential
to their life cycle.
What do you think?
•Which of the unifying
themes do you consider the
most important of all? Why
did you say so?