CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
1.1 What is BIOLOGY?

Biology

 study of life and living organisms

 branch of natural sciences
 The study of life extends from the microscopic
scale of the molecules and cells that make up
organisms to the global scale of the entire living
planet
1.2 Branches in BIOLOGY

BIOLOGY - the science of life

Greek word : bios – life

logos – knowledge

Traditionally, biology has been divided into

Zoology – the study of animals
Botany – the study of plants
Microbiology – the study of microorganisms
- bacteriology (bacteria), virology (virus),
mycology (fungi), phycology (algae) and
protozoology (protozoa)
Anatomy - the structure of the organisms
Morphology - external structure
Physiology - how organisms function
Ecology - study on interaction between organisms and
environment
Genetics - studies on heredity or genes

Biotechnology - the manipulation of organisms or their

components to produce useful products.
Biochemistry - chemical function in organisms
 1.3 What is LIFE?
Able to evolve
Happens gradually over
successive generations in
response to changes in the
environment.
Reproduce
The ability to produce new
individuals of the same
species. Involved sexual or
asexual reproduction.
Control their internal
condition – Homeostasis
The regulation and
maintenance of a relatively
constant set of conditions
within an organism.
Grow and develop
All organisms must complete their life
cycle, to reach the size and level of
complexity. Growth – change in size.
Development – changes in shape and form
of an organism as it matures.
Organise structure
Feed
The basic structure of life is the
To stay alive, one form of
cell that contains small
energy is transform into
organelles that carry out specific
another, heat is always
function. An organism is a highly
formed. Acquire energy and
organised structure.
nutrients by feeding.
Respire
A process that is required to
make ATP from the
breakdown process. ATP is an
energy-rich molecule to drive
metabolic reactions.
Excrete their waste
Waste products from
metabolic reactions must
be disposed.
Respond to their Move
surrounding Locomotion – movement from
Living things are sensitive one place to another.
to their surroundings. Movement of the whole body
Important to stay away from or part of their body
harmful conditions.
 Order (organize structure)
This close-up of a sunflower illiustrates the highly
ordered structure that characterizes life.

Response to the environment

This Venus flytrap closed its trap rapidly in response
to the environmental stimulus of a damselfly landing
on the open trap.

Reproduction
Organisms (living things) reproduce their own kind.
The emperor penguin protects its baby.
 Regulation
The regulation of blood flow through the blood vessels of this
jackrabbit’s ears helps maintain a constant body temperature
by adjusting heat exchange with the surrounding air.

Growth and development

Inherited information carried by genes controls
the pattern of growth and development od
organisms.

Energy processing
This hummingbird obtain fuel in the form of nectar
from flowers. The hummingbird will use chemical
energy stored in its food to power flight and other
work.

Evolutionary adaptation
The appearance of this pygmy sea horse camouflages the
animal in its environment. Such adaptations evolve over
many generations by the reproductive process of those
individuals with heritable traits that are best suited to their
environments.