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.