CHAPTER 4
Fundamentals of Biology
What makes something living?
Smallest unit of a chemical element that exhibits its chemical properties
Atom
Molecule Chemical combination of two or more atoms of the same or different elements
CellThe fundamental structural and functional unit of life
OrganismAn individual living being
Population A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular place
Community Populations of different species living in a particular place, and potentially interacting with each other
Ecosystem A community of different species interacting with one another and with their nonliving environment of matter and energy
Biosphere Parts of the earth's air, water, and soil where life is found
Levels of Levels of OrganizatiOrganizati
on of on of Matter in Matter in NatureNature
Challenges of the Sea• Every habitat has its own unique set of characteristics and
presents special challenges to the organisms that live there.
SALINITY• Diffusion – substances go from high to low
concentration
SALINITY
• Osmosis – diffusion of water across a membrane
SALINITY
REGULATION OF SALT AND WATER BALANCE• Osmoconformer
s• Osmoregulators
REGULATION OF SALT AND WATER BALANCE• Osmoregulators
• Gill pumps• Salt glands • Rectal glands• Rigid cell walls• Other solutes
TEMPERATURE• Metabolic reactions proceed faster at high temperatures
(2x faster with a 10oC increase in temperature)• Marine organisms live in narrow temperature ranges
TEMPERATURE
• Ectotherms (poikilotherms)– Sharks– Fish– Shellfish– Plankton – Reptiles
• Endotherms (homeotherms)– Mammals– Birds– Some tuna
REPRODUCTION• Asexual strategies– Clones– Fission – Budding
• Sexual strategies– Broadcast spawning– Many young– Few young– Hermaphrodites
DIVERSITY OF LIFE• FIVE KINGDOMS– Animalia
• Multi-cell, move, heterotrophs
– Plantae• Multi-cell, can’t
move, autotrophs
– Fungi• Multi-cell, can’t
move, heterotrophs
– Protista• Single cell, complex
– Monera• Single cell, simple
CLASSIFICATION – Common dolphin
CLASSIFICATION – Myopsid squid
• Kingdom – Animalia– Phylum – Mollusca• Class – Cephalopoda• Subclass - Coeloidea
– SuperOrder – Decapodiformes– Order - Teuthidae
» Family - Australiteuthidae» Genus - Australiteuthis» Species - alrichi