Introduction to Biology Concepts

What is Biology?

• The study of living organisms and life.
• Examines how the smallest biological molecules interact, all the way up to how ecosystems interact.
• Topics covered include cells, inheritance, reproduction, genetics, homeostasis, development, nutrition, evolution.

Characteristics of Living Organisms

• All living organisms are made up of cells.
• All living organisms reproduce.
• All living organisms undergo metabolism.
• All living organisms sense and respond to their environment.
• All living organisms maintain homeostasis.
• All living organisms evolve.

What is a Cell?

• The smallest and most basic unit of life.

What is Reproduction?

• Necessary for the creation of new individuals and passing on genetic information (DNA).

What is Metabolism?

• The capture, storage, and use of energy in an organism.
• Energy is needed for an organism to survive.

What is Homeostasis?

• The ability to maintain constant internal conditions in the face of a changing external environment.

What is Evolution?

• A change in genetic traits over time.

The Biological Hierarchy

• Atom: The building block of all physical things.
• Molecule: Made up of multiple atoms held together by chemical bonds.
• Biomolecule (or macromolecule): A large molecule critical for living cells.

Four Important Biomolecules

• Proteins: Made of amino acids, regulate chemical reactions in cells, make up the structural parts of cells.
• Carbohydrates: Made of sugars, food source (glucose, starch), plant cell wall (cellulose).
• Lipids: Made of glycerol and fatty acids, energy source, insulate the body, make up cell membranes.
• Nucleic Acids: Made up of nucleotides, make up DNA.

What is Science?

• A body of knowledge (data) about the natural world.
• Utilizes evidence-based procedures for acquiring knowledge.
• Is self-correcting and evolves based on the most recent evidence.
• Biology is a subset of science.

Key Features of Science

• Focuses on the natural world.
• Uses empirical evidence from direct observation, experience, experiments, and tests.
• Committed to testability, which means it utilizes procedures to determine evidence.
• Hypotheses are falsifiable, meaning they can be proven wrong.

The Scientific Method

• A methodical approach that scientists use in their investigations.
• Observations, facts about the natural world, are the starting point.
• A hypothesis, a possible explanation, is proposed.
• A prediction, an educated speculation about the outcome, is made.
• Results are tested and evaluated.

Scientific Testing

• An experiment is a repeatable test of an aspect of the natural world.
• A variable is a characteristic of an object or organism that can change.
• A controlled experiment is where all variables are kept the same except for the one being investigated.
• Independent variable is the one that is manipulated by the scientist.
• Dependent variable changes in response to the manipulated variable.
• A control group is the testing group where nothing is changed, used for comparisons.
• The experimental or treatment group is where the independent variable is manipulated.

Scientific Theory

• When experiments are repeated and produce the same results, confidence in the hypothesis increases.
• Theories are ideas supported by evidence, which provides a broader understanding of how some aspect of nature works.
• Theories are only supported by evidence, not proven.

Case Study: "Caves of Death"

• Thousands of bats were found dead in caves in upstate New York.
• A fuzzy white fungus was found covering the noses of the dead bats.
• Researchers set out to discover what the substance was and if it was responsible for the death.
• This study used the scientific method to investigate White Nose Syndrome (WNS) in bats.

White Nose Syndrome Research:

• Observations and Questions: Bats with white noses were observed dying at higher rates.
• Hypothesis: The white noses are caused by a fungus, and it is causing death.
• Prediction: If the white noses are caused by a transmissible fungus, healthy bats that contact infected bats will also develop white noses and die.

The Experiment:

• Independent Variable: Fungus exposure
• Dependent Variable 1: Transmission of White Nose Syndrome to healthy bats.
• Dependent Variable 2: Death rate of White Nose Syndrome bats.

The Groups:

• Control Group (Group 1): 34 healthy bats were not exposed to the fungus.
• Treatment Group 1 (Group 2): 36 healthy bats were housed next to bats with WNS and shared air.
• Treatment Group 2 (Group 3): 18 healthy bats were housed in the same aviary as WNS bats and shared physical space.
• Treatment Group 3 (Group 4): 29 healthy bats had fungus applied to their wings.

Results of the Study:

• White Nose Syndrome is transmissible through direct contact.
• White Nose Syndrome is the likely cause of death in these bats.

Explore the fundamental concepts of biology, including the characteristics of living organisms, cell structure, reproduction, metabolism, and homeostasis. This quiz will test your understanding of how these elements contribute to life. Perfect for beginners and those looking to refresh their knowledge in biology.