Section 1.3 - Studying Life

Biology is the study of life.
Living things are made up of basic units called cells, are based on a universal genetic code, obtain and use materials and energy, grow and develop, reproduce, respond to their environment, maintain a stable internal environment and change over time.
All organisms store the complex information they need to live, grow and reproduce in a genetic code written in a molecule called DNA.
Organisms detect and respond to a stimulus from their environment.

Organisms reproduce by sexual reproduction or asexual reproduction.

All organisms need to maintain a relatively stable and constant internal environment, a condition called homeostasis.

All organisms must take in materials and energy to grow, develop and reproduce in a combination of chemical reactions called metabolism.

Every organism has a particular pattern of growth and development.

Organisms are composed of cells.

Over generations, groups of organisms evolve.

The study of biology revolves around several interlocking big ideas: The cellular basis of life; information and hereditary; matter and energy; growth, development and reproduction; homeostasis; evolution; structure and function; unity and diversity of life; independence in nature, and science as a way of knowing.
All forms of life on earth are connected into a biosphere, which literally means 'living planet.'
Biology includes many overlapping fields that use different tools to study life from the level of molecules to the entire planet.
Most scientists use the metric system when collecting data and performing experiments.

Vocabulary
Biology: the study of life DNA: a molecule where an organism stores the complex information they need to live, grow and reproduce
Stimulus: something that an organism responds to
Sexual reproduction: a form of reproduction where cells from two parents unite to form the first cell of a new organism
Asexual reproduction: a form of reproduction where a single organism produces offspring identical to itself
Homeostasis: an organism's relatively constant and stable internal environment
Metabolism: the combination of chemical reactions through which and organism builds up or breaks down materials
Biosphere: literally means 'living planet'

	Created by Kirsty Rorrison almost 10 years ago

Higher School Certificate(HSC ) Biology (Chapter 1 - The Science of Biology) Note on Chapter 1 - The Science of Biology NOTES, created by Kirsty Rorrison on 06/12/2014.