VIDEO: WELCOME TO BIOLOGY!

WHAT IS BIOLOGY?
Biology - the science of life
BIO = Life
OLOGY = Study of
WHAT DO BIOLOGISTS DO?
Study the diversity of life
Research diseases
Develop technologies
Improve agriculture
Preserve the environment
And much more!
WHAT IS AN ORGANISM?
Organism anything that has or one had all the
characteristics of life.

VIDEO: WHAT IS LIFE?
CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE
1. Made of one or more cells
2. Displays organization
3. Grows and Develops
4. Reproduces
5. Responds to stimuli
6. Requires energy
7. Maintains homeostasis
8. Adaptations evolve over time
1. MADE OF ONE OR MORE CELLS
Cell - the basic unit of life.
All organisms are made up
of one or more cells.
Some organisms can be
unicellular, many are
multicellular.
Can you think of a
unicellular and a
multicellular organism?
2. DISPLAYS ORGANIZATION
Organization the organism
is arranged in an orderly way.
Humans are complex,
multicellular organisms that
display organization.
How might the human body
display organization?
3. GROWS AND DEVELOPS
Growth results in the addition
of mass to an organism.
Development is the process of
natural changes that take place
during the life of an organism.
What growth and development
does a tree undergo during its
life?
4. REPRODUCES
Reproduction the production
of offspring
Reproduction is essential to the
survival of a species.
Species a group of organisms
that can breed with one another
and produce fertile offspring.
What would happen if a species
couldnt reproduce?
5. RESPONDS TO STIMULI
Stimulus anything that is part
of an environment that causes a
reaction by the organism
Response the reaction
displayed by the organism after
being introduced to a stimulus
Can you think of stimuli in your
daily life?
6. REQUIRES ENERGY
Living things needs sources
of energy to fuel their life
functions.
Most organisms, such as
animals, cannot make their
own food.
Plants produce their own
food.
How do humans get
energy?
7. MAINTAINS HOMEOSTASIS
Homeostasis the regulation
of an organisms internal
conditions to maintain life.
During the winter, how does
your body adjust to the
season?

8. ADAPTATIONS EVOLVE OVER TIME
Adaptation any inherited
characteristic that results
from changes to a species
over time
An adaptation is inherited
usually to cope with a
changing environment or
preference
Using a wolf as an
example, why might
wolves have adapted sharp
teeth?

ACTIVITY: LIVING, NONLIVING, OR DEAD
In this activity, you will observe various items
and record whether you believe they are 1)
living, 2) nonliving, 3) dead.
Record observations in lab notebook and we
will discuss after everyone is finished.
SECTION 1.1 ASSESSMENT
1. Describe four characteristics used to identify
whether something is alive.
2. Explain why cells are considered the basic
units of living things.
3. List some careers in biology and their
importance.
4. What is the difference between response
and adaptation?
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY: PICK AND ORGANISM
Each student may choose an organism of
their choice and use the internet to research
an adaptation that has developed over time
for that organism.
Also, note any characteristics of life from that
organism.