Intro & Chapter 1 Biology PDF

Introduction to Biology PROFESSOR CALKINS SCB101 Biology:  The study of life and living organisms  We can study the interaction of biological molecules (DNA) all the way up to the way up to how ecosystems interact  Topics we will cover here include:...

Introduction to Biology PROFESSOR CALKINS SCB101 Biology:  The study of life and living organisms  We can study the interaction of biological molecules (DNA) all the way up to the way up to how ecosystems interact  Topics we will cover here include:  Cells, Inheritance, Reproduction, Genetics, Homeostasis, Development, Nutrition, Evolution…. And much more! Characteristic s of Living How would you define “living”? Organisms  All Living things: 1. 1. Are made of cells Characteristics 2. 2. Reproduce of Living 3. 3. Undergo metabolism Organisms 4. 4. Sense and respond to the environment 5. 5. Maintain homeostasis 6. 6. Evolve 1. Made of Cells THE CELL IS THE SMALLEST AND MOST BASIC UNIT OF LIFE 2. Reproduce Reproduction is necessary for living things to make new individuals, and pass on genetic materials (DNA) to the next generation 3. Undergo metabolism Metabolism refers to the capture, storage, and use of energy in an organism. We need energy to survive! 4. Sense and respond to the environment Organisms gather information from their surroundings, and respond appropriately 5. Maintain homeostasis Maintaining constant internal environment in the face of a changing external environment 6. Evolve Evolution is a change in genetic traits over time What are the 6 main features of life? 1. Are made of cells 2. Reproduce 3. Undergo metabolism 4. Sense and respond to the environment 5. Maintain homeostasis 6. Evolve The Biological Hierarchy   An atom is the building blocks for all physical things A molecule is made of multiple Biomolecule atoms held together by chemical bonds s  Biomolecules(or macromolecules) are large molecules that are critical for living cells What are the basic building blocks of every physical thing? a. DNA b. Cells c. Molecules d. Atoms e. Elements What is considered the fundamental unit of life? a. DNA b. A cell c. Nucleic acid d. A molecule e. Carbohydrates  There are four classes of biomolecule important to life: 1. Proteins Biomolecule 2. Carbohydrates s 3. Lipids 4. Nucleic Acids 1. Proteins Made of amino acids Regulate chemical reactions in cells Make up the structural parts of cells 2. Carbohydrates Made of sugars Food source (glucose, starch..) Plant cell wall (cellulose) 3. Lipids Made of glycerol and fatty acids Energy source Insulate body Make up cell membrane 4. Nucleic Acids Made of nucleotides Make up DNA Recap: What are the four biomolecules essential to all living things? 1. Proteins 2. Lipids 3. Carbohydrates 4. Nucleic Acids Chapter 1: The Nature of Science  Science is a body of knowledge (data) about the natural world Can be detected, observed, and measured What is Has an evidence-based process for acquiring that knowledge Science? Science is self-correcting. It changes and evolves based on the most recent evidence available. Biology is one subset of science  Science is based on the natural world, or the tangible world around us (ie; not the supernatural) Empirical evidence is information that one gets from direct observation, from experience, or from Key Features the results of experiments and other tests of hypotheses of Science Science has a commitment to testability – a procedure for determining the evidence in support of a hypothesis Hypothesis must be falsifiable – a test that is able to be proven wrong Recap: What are four key features of science?  Based in the natural world  Empirical Evidence: from direct observation  Testability: Procedure to determine evidence  Falsifiable: able to be proven wrong  The scientific method is a set of The procedures scientists use in their investigations Scientific Method It’s HOW we science The Scientific Method Scientific method begins with observations (what you can see, hear, etc.) and facts (things you know to be true) about the natural world It continues with a hypothesis (a possible explanation for what is being studied) and a prediction (educated speculation about what an outcome will be) Finally, results are tested and evaluated Scientific testing An experiment is a repeatable test of an aspect of the natural world A variable is a characteristic of an object or organism that can change Testing of hypotheses is done in a controlled experiment, in which a scientist keeps all variables the same except the one under investigation Typically, a scientist will manipulate one variable (independent variable) The variable that changes in response to the manipulated (independent) variable is called the dependent variable… It “depends” on how you change the other. Scientific testing A control group is the testing group where nothing is changed. Controls are necessary for comparisons to the group being manipulated The treatment or experimental group is where the independent variable is manipulated. Only one variable is changed, but we are now able to compare two groups to look at “normal” conditions in the control, vs. “manipulated” conditions in the treatment group. Scientific Theory  Scientific experiments are repeated, and if the results are the same, confidence in the hypothesis increases  However, the hypothesis is never proven.  Theories are ideas supported by evidence, which provides bigger picture than a hypothesis of how some aspect of nature works  Hypotheses lead to theories  Like hypotheses, however, theories are only supported by the evidence, not proven The Scientific Method Recap: Which sequence is most typical in the scientific method? a. Hypothesize, predict, test, observe, evaluate results b. Observe, hypothesize, predict, test, evaluate results c. Hypothesize, predict, evaluate results, observe d. Observe, predict, hypothesize, test, evaluate results e. Observe, test, hypothesize, predict, evaluate results Recap: What is the difference between a “ theory” as the word is commonly used, and a scientific theory? a. An everyday theory can be wrong and a scientific theory never is. b. An everyday theory is a guess and a scientific theory has been repeatedly tested. c. An everyday theory is an idea and a scientific theory is a fact. d. An everyday theory is a fact, and a scientific theory is an idea Case Study: “Caves of Death”  Thousands of dead bats in caves of upstate New York.  A fuzzy white fungus covered the noses of the dead bats.  Hicks’s team set out to discover:  What the substance was  If it was responsible for the “Cave of Death” Case Study: “Caves of Death” Using the scientific method, outline a way to study White Nose Syndrome in bats: 1. Observations and Questions: Bats are observed with white noses and are dying at higher rates than those without. Are the white noses causing death? Is this the cause of higher death rates? HOW is the fungus spreading? Case Study: “Caves of Death” Using the scientific method, outline a way to study White Nose Syndrome in bats:  Hypothesize:  Bats with white noses are infected with a fungus, and this fungus is causing death. Case Study: “Caves of Death” Using the scientific method, outline a way to study White Nose Syndrome in bats:  Predict:  IF white noses are caused by a transmissible fungus, THEN healthy bats that contact infected bats should develop the condition.  HOW is the fungus transmitted?  IF the white noses are caused by a deadly fungus, THEN healthy bats that contract the fungus, will develop white noses and die at higher rates Case Study: “Caves of Death” Using the scientific method, outline a way to study White Nose Syndrome in bats:  Test:  We collect 100 bats from the wild… how can we set up a scientific experiment to determine if the white noses are 1) caused by the fungus? 2) how the fungus is transmitted and 3) if this is causing death in bat populations? Review: Scientific testing A control group is the testing group where nothing is changed. Controls are necessary for comparisons to the group being manipulated The treatment or experimental group is where the independent variable is manipulated. Only one variable is changed, but we are now able to compare two groups to look at “normal” conditions in the control, vs. “manipulated” conditions in the treatment group. Case Study: “Caves of Death” Using the scientific method, outline a way to study White Nose Syndrome in bats: Independent Dependent Dependent Variable: Variable: Variable 2: Fungus exposure Transmission of Death of WNS bats White-Nose- Syndrome (WNS) to healthy bats. Control Treatment Treatment Treatment (Group 1): (Group 2): (Group 3): (Group 4): 34 healthy bats 36 healthy bats 18 healthy bats 29 healthy bats None have WNS None have WNS Housed in same Fungus applied Housed next to aviary as WNS to wings bats with WNS; bats: share share air physical space Results Case Study: “Caves of Death” Using the scientific method, outline a way to study White Nose Syndrome in bats: Hypothesis: Bats with white noses are infected with a fungus, and this fungus is causing death. Evaluate Results:  How is WNS passed along?  Through direct contact  Is WNS the likely cause of death in these bats?  yep. Questions? Homework (due by next class): - Purchase/Rent textbook (details in syllabus) - Read syllabus/schedule