Systems Biology Overview

Scientific Inquiry and Systems Biology

• New scientific tools enable researchers to pursue previously unanswerable questions.
• Systems biology seeks to comprehend how emergent properties develop across various biological levels.

Levels of Biological Investigation

• Ecology explores biological interactions at population, community, and ecosystem levels.
• Anatomy and physiology focus on the structure and function of tissues, organs, and organisms.
• Cell biology examines cellular structures and processes at the cellular level.
• Molecular biology investigates interactions at atomic and molecular levels.
• Systems biology integrates findings from all levels, often illustrated at the molecular scale.

Classification and Nomenclature

• Binomial nomenclature assigns each species a distinct scientific name using a two-part format.
• The genus name is capitalized, while the species descriptor is lowercase, both italicized.
• Examples:
  • Panthera onca = Panther
  • Solanum tuberosum = Potato
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus = Probiotic bacteria
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae = Brewer’s yeast

Model Organisms in Research

• Model organisms are widely studied to ensure reproducibility and comparability in biological research.
• Common model organisms include:
  • E. coli (bacterium)
  • S. cerevisiae (yeast)
  • D. melanogaster (fruit fly)
  • C. elegans (nematode worm)
  • M. musculus (mouse)
  • A. thaliana (flowering plant)

Scientific Methodology

• The Scientific Method provides a systematic approach for testing hypotheses and gathering data.
• It involves observation, identification, experimentation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena.

Biological Levels of Organization

• Atoms are the fundamental units of elements with unique chemical properties.
• Molecules result from atomic bonding, forming compounds essential for life.
• Cells are considered the minimal unit of life and perform all basic biological functions.
• Tissues consist of similar cell types working together for a specific function.
• Organs are structures made up of various tissues that perform particular functions.
• Organisms are living entities classified within a species.
• Populations represent groups of the same species in a shared environment.
• Communities consist of multiple different populations interacting with each other.
• Ecosystems are formed by the interactions of biological communities with their physical environment.
• The biosphere encompasses all regions of Earth inhabited by living organisms.

Unique Biological Phenomena

• Acacia trees can release warning molecules in response to herbivore attacks, signaling nearby trees.
• Zombie parasites can manipulate the behavior of their hosts, a focus of neuroparasitology.

This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of systems biology and how new tools enable scientists to formulate innovative questions. It highlights the emergent properties of biological systems at different levels of investigation.