GENERAL BIOLOGY

L.COL. Negash Teame (MSC)

COURSE CONTENT
1. Introduction
2. Molecules of life

3. The cellular basis of life

4. Transport in cells

5. Cellular metabolism

6. Genetics

7. Classification of organisms

8. Biology of living organisms

9. Ecology and Conservation of natural resources

10. Animal behavior

11. Evolution
 MODE OF ASSESSMENT

 Continuous assessment: 50%

 Final exam: 50%
INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY
CONTENT

1. The meaning and scope of biology

2. The nature of life
3. The scientific methods
 I. MEANING AND SCOPE OF BIOLOGY

Biology:

 as an organized knowledge was began by the Greeks and

Romans.
 Made many studies on the structures and functions of
plants and animals.
 Invention of microscope in the 17th century helped
accelerate explanation of biological discoveries.
Biology:

 is the study of life.

 Concerns with the study of structure, function, evolution,
development and ecology of living things.
 Its scope is too wide and broad including so many
branches.
 The ultimate sources of biological facts are careful
observations and experiments made by scientists.
II. THE NATURE/CHARACTERISTICS OF
LIFE
Living things have specific characteristics that differentiate them from
non living things.
1)Specific organization
• Each organism is recognized by characteristic shape, appearance
and size.
• Made of different parts having specific functions.
• Bodies are characterized by a specific, complex organization
• Functional and structural unit of organisms is the cell.
• The functional processes of an organism is the sum total functions
of its constituent cells
• Bodies of higher organisms are organized in a series of
increasingly complex levels.
Cells Tissues Organs Systems Organism
2) Metabolism
• Sum total of all chemical reaction in a cell.
• Provide activities for its growth, maintenance and development.
I. Catabolism- refers to the breaking of larger molecules into
simpler molecules to release energy.
II. Anabolism- refers to building of simpler molecule into complex
ones to store energy.

3) Movement
• Movement of plants is less obvious and much slower.
• Movement of most animals is quite obvious.
• Animals move from place to place to fulfill necessities of life.
4) Irritability
• ability to respond to chemical or physical changes in their
surrounding.
• Important to ensure adaptation and survival.

5) Growth
• Increase in cellular part.
• May be brought about by an increase in:
 The size of the individual cells
 The number of cells or both
 Processes which increase the amount of living substances of
the body.
6)Reproduction:
• Splitting of a cell into two. Or

• Involve the production of eggs and sperms which unite to form a

zygote from which a new organism develops.
• Reproduction ensures perpetuation of the species.

7)Adaptation:
• Enable organisms to adapt and exist in a changing environment.
• Achieved by seeking a suitable environment or undergoing
modifications to be fitted to present condition.
• Involves immediate changes to irritability of cells or is the result of
long term processes of mutation and selection.
• Water, light ,temperature, food, predators, parasites, etc limit the
distribution of organisms.
 III. THE SCIENTIFIC METHODS
 The goal of every science is:
 To provide explanation for observed phenomena
 To establish generalizations that can predict relations
between phenomena.
 These explanation and generalization are achieved by
a kind of organized common sense called the
scientific method.
 The essence of the scientific method is posing of
scientific questions and the search for answers.
 Scientific questions arise from observation and
experiments.
 The bases of scientific method are careful, close
observation and experiments.
 On the bases of observation and experiments,
scientists construct a hypothesis
Hypothesis:
 A trial idea about the nature the observation or relations of
events.
 A supposition assumed as a basis of reasoning which can then
be tested by further controlled experiments.
Experiment:
 The test of a hypothesis.
 Evaluate alternative hypothesis.
a hypothesis that stands the test of time, often tested and
never rejected is called a theory.
Theory:
 A formulated hypothesis supported by a large body of
observations and experiments.
 Generally accepted scientific principle.
 A verified hypothesis.
 Solid ground of science.