Lesson 1: Early Life and Theories

Lesson 1: Early Life and its Theories

• Paleontologists: Scientists who study early life forms
• Fossil: Preserved remains of ancient organisms
• Stromatolites: Layered formations created by photosynthetic cyanobacteria
• Deep Sea Vent Theory: Early life originated from hydrothermal vents in the ocean
• Theory of Special Creation: Life created by supernatural powers
• Theory of Panspermia (Spore Theory): Life arrived on Earth from another planet in resistant spores
• Primordial Soup Theory: Life originated from water with lightning
• Theory of Spontaneous Generation (Abiogenesis): Nonliving materials spontaneously create life
• Pneuma: Material needed for life to arise from non-living
• Francisco Redi: Experiments disproving spontaneous generation of organisms
• John Needham: Experiment attempting to prove spontaneous generation, flawed experiment
• Louis Pasteur: Experiments demonstrated that spontaneous generation does not occur
• Theory of Biogenesis: Life arises only from pre-existing life
• Alexander Oparin: Hypothesized primitive Earth's atmosphere contained gases like ammonia, methane, hydrogen, and water vapor
• Cytology: Study of cells
• Cells: Smallest unit of life
• Zacharias Janssen: Inventor of the microscope
• The Cellular Basis of Life (Robert Hooke): Observed tiny compartments in cork and named them "cells."

Lesson 2: Biological Systems

• Biological System: Complex system of interacting parts forming an organization
• High Degree of Organization: Hierarchy of biological structures and systems
  • Atom: Basic unit of matter
  • Molecule: Group of two or more atoms
  • Cell: Basic unit of life
  • Tissue: Group of similar cells
  • Organ: Structure composed of multiple tissues
  • Organ System: Group of organs working together
  • Organism: Individual living entity
  • Population: Group of same species
  • Community: All populations interacting
  • Ecosystem: All living and non-living things interacting
  • Biosphere: All ecosystems on Earth
• Form and Function: Structure directly relates to function
• Reproduction and Inheritance: Organisms reproduce and pass traits to offspring
• Interaction with the Environment: Biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) interact
• Energy: Requirement to maintain biological functions
• Regulation/Homeostasis: Ability to adjust to the environment
• Evolution and Diversity: Explains the diversity of life and adaptation
• Scientific Inquiry: Method to gain knowledge

Lesson 3: Plant Reproduction

• Stamen: Male reproductive part
• Filament: Supports the anther
• Anther: Produces pollen
• Pollen: Male gametes (containing genetic material)
• Carpel/Pistil: Female reproductive part
• Stigma: Catches pollen
• Style: Connects stigma to ovary
• Ovary: Contains ovules
• Ovule: Contains female gametes
• Gametes: Reproductive cells
• Zygote: Formed by fusion of gametes
• Fertilization: Fusion of gametes
• Pollination: Transfer of pollen to the female part
• Self-Pollination: Pollen transfer on the same plant.
• Cross-pollination: Pollen transfer to another plant.
• Angiosperms: Flowering plants

Lesson 4: Genetic Engineering

• Genetic Engineering: Direct DNA manipulation to alter characteristics
• Genetically Modified Organism (GMO): Organism with altered genetic material
• Genetic Modification Techniques: Identified desirable gene, extracting DNA, removing the desired gene, insert new gene
• GMA: Genetically modified animals
• GMP: Genetically modified plants
• GMO: Genetically modified organisms

Lesson 5: Respiration

• Respiration: Gas exchange in organisms

Lesson 6: Evolution and Environmental Changes

• Evolution: Gradual change and development of species
• Embryology: Scientific study of embryos
• Homologous Structures: Similar physical structures with the same evolutionary origin
• Vestigial Structure: Feature inherited but no longer necessary
• Genetics: Study of heredity
• Environmental Changes: Factors affecting extinction (atmosphere, temperature, floods, radiation, impacts, diseases, etc.)
• Balance of Nature: Ecosystems can support only a certain number of individuals
• Diversity and Stability: Organisms have specific roles in ecosystems
• Resistance/Resilience: Ability to remain stable/adapt to changes
• Endotherm: Warm-blooded animals can regulate body temperature
• Ectotherm: Cold-blooded animals body temperature matches surroundings
• Negative Feedback: Reduces an excessive response
• Positive Feedback: Intensifies a response
• Excretion: Removal of wastes from the body
• Osmoregulation: Maintaining the balance of salt and water

Lesson X: Ecosystems

• Terrestrial Ecosystem: Land-based ecosystem
• Aquatic Ecosystem: Water-based ecosystem
• Grassland: Ecosystems dominated by grasses
• Desert: Regions with minimal rainfall
• Marine Ecosystem: Largest ecosystem, high dissolved salts
• Freshwater: Minimal salt, 0.8% of Earth's surface
• Human Activities: Damaging impact on ecosystems