1.3 Studying LifeDownloaded from http://www.biologycorner.com/bio1/notes_ch1.html#.U0Fq6q1dU08 April 6, 2014

Biology = the study of life

Bios = life | ology = study of

8 Characteristics

1.The cell - the smallest unit of lifeUnicellular = 1 celled

Multicellular =many celled

2. Reproduction

Sexual = DNA from 2 different parents

Asexual = single parent (cloning, budding)

3. Genetic Code – directions for

inheritance (DNA)

4.  Growth and DevelopmentGrowth = getting larger

Development = changing shape and structure

Differentiation = cells look different and perform different functions

5.  Use Energy

Metabolism = chemical reactions in the body

Animals eat to obtain energy 

Plants photosynthesize

6. Response to environment

Stimulus = a signal received by one of the

senses

Response = a reaction

7.  Internal Balance

Homeostasis – Biological homeostasis is the

ability of the body to maintain relative stability and

function even though drastic changes may take

place in the external environment or in one portion

of the body1 

8. Evolution - species change over time

1 http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150655/ downloaded April 7, 2014

Branches of Biology

Zoology = animals

Paleontology = ancient life

Cytology = cells

Botany = plants

Entomology = insects

You guess…

Microbiology =

Ecology =

Anthropology =

Levels of Organization

MoleculeCellTissueOrganOrgan SystemsOrganismsPopulationCommunityEcosystemBiosphere

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING

1. There are _________ characteristics of life

2. The smallest unit of life is the ___________

3. All living things must be able to ____________________, or to make more of their own kind.

4. All living things have a _____________________, which are like instructions for building the body

5. During development, some cells become liver cells, some become skin cells and some become muscle cells. This process is called ________________________

6. Animals get their _______________ by consuming food. Plants get it by __________________________________

7. __________________________ is the maintaining of an internal balance, or sameness

8. ______________________ is the process where species change over time.