LS1101 Introduction to Biology Class 3 PDF

LS1101 Introduction to Biology Sumana Annagiri & Radhika Venkatesan Class number 3 – 6th September 24 Emergent properties The resultant is larger than the sum of the parts. ...

LS1101 Introduction to Biology Sumana Annagiri & Radhika Venkatesan Class number 3 – 6th September 24 Emergent properties The resultant is larger than the sum of the parts.  Emergent properties Our understanding of physical and chemical properties in lower levels of organization helps us understand only some of the properties of living organisms. Living systems, at different level of organization acquires unique properties that emerge through the combination of the lower-level units. Novikoff, 1945  Emergent property Components and Relative sizes  Emergent property Cells – it’s chemical composition Questions to ponder Can we put these ingredients and shake it together to create life? At what stage does life emerge? On a lighter note Next time someone asks your weight, what will you say?  Life – Definition The condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death. Oxford dictionary LIFE is the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body. Merriam-Webster Living organisms are hierarchically ordered systems with many emergent properties and their activities are governed by genetic programs containing historically acquired information.  Properties - specific to living beings Evolved programs – there is a unbroken stream from the origin of life to present day life forms, with their genetic and somatic programs accumulating the history across 3.8 billion years. Chemical properties – macromolecules not found in inanimate nature. Regulatory mechanisms – controls and regulatory mechanisms including multiple feedback mechanisms to maintain steady state of the system. Organization – complex, ordered systems that have their own developmental and evolutionary Common constraints. Kingfisher Teleonomic systems – adapted systems for goal directed activities https://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=16KcneQKVEQ&list=PPSV Life cycle – definite life cycles starting from zygote to adulthood. Highly variable. Open systems – obtain energy and materials from external environment and eliminate end products of metabolism Note - Million = 1 followed by 6 zeros Billion = 1 followed by 9 zeros  Capacity of living organisms Evolution Self replication Growth and differentiation via a genetic program Metabolism (binding & releasing of energy) Self-regulation and maintain homeostasis Response to stimuli from their environment Change at two levels - phenotype and genotype  Common crow ATGCCCTCGGT Genotype Phenotype Genotype of an organism is defined Phenotype refers to an as an actual or complete genetic individual’s observable traits, makeup of an organism. It also such as height, eye color and refers to the pair of alleles blood type. Phenotype is inherited in an individual for a determined by both their particular gene genomic makeup and environmental factors.  Biology = Study life In all its forms and at all levels of organization Why worry about Biology? Curiosity Improvement of human health Sustainable living on this planet Damage control How are we doing?  Human Population growth The number of human being on earth have increased by more than two times in the last 60 years  Human Life Expectancy We have more than doubled human lifespan  Area used for growing our food The area used for crops has become half of what it used to be in 1960s.  Pattern of Land cover change World’s grasslands and forests are disappearing in order to accommodate human needs https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-the-worlds-loss-of-forests-since-the-ice-age/  RED ALERT Fresh water bodies of the world Freshwater ecosystems cover less than 1% of Earth's surface, yet are home to at least 10% of Earth's species (140,000). Bio-diversity in the fresh water systems have declined by 84% as compared to 1970