Unifying Themes in the Study of Life PDF

The unifying theme connects the different subdisciplines that make biology as a science. In addition to, the living organisms differ from non-living organisms in various aspects. Biotic factors (living things) are defined by set of characteristics including the ability to reproduc...

The unifying theme connects the different subdisciplines that make biology as a science. In addition to, the living organisms differ from non-living organisms in various aspects. Biotic factors (living things) are defined by set of characteristics including the ability to reproduce, grow, move and ability to adapt to its environment. They need food, water and other abiotic factors for their growth and development. Abiotic factors are inanimate objects which include rocks, water, weather and other living things present in the environment.  - A system is an organized group of interacting parts. - A cell is a system of chemicals and processes. It is the basic unit of life. - A body system includes organs that interact. - An ecosystem includes living and non-living things that interact - Structure determines function. - The structure is the shape of the object. - The function is the object’s specific role.  - Homeostasis is the maintenance of constant internal conditions. - All living organisms must live in a stable environment. - The continuity of life depends on the inheritance of biological information in the form of DNA molecules. - The genetic information is encoded in the nucleotide sequences of the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid).  - It is necessary part of living; process of making more of one’s own kind.  - Living organisms use a source of energy for their metabolic activities. - Some living organisms capture the light energy and convert it into chemical energy in food. - Some living organisms use chemical energy stored in molecules obtained from food.  The process of science includes observation-based discovery and the testing of explanations through the hypothetic-deductive. - Scientific credibility depends on the repeatability of observation and experiments.  - Many technologies are goal- oriented applications of science. - The relationships of science and technology to society are now more crucial to understand than ever before.