INTRODUCTION

TO BIOLOGY
 Objectives
• Define Biology
• Recognize the importance of Biology
• Describe the biological organization of living
things
• Identify the basic principles of cells
• Understand the development of cell theory
• Explain the postulates of the cell theory
Biology is the scientific
study of life.
Biologists ask questions such
as:
• How a single cell
develops into an
organism?
• How the human mind
works?
• How living things
interact in communities?
 Importance of Studying Biology
Biology also involves
studying and examining
other animals. It also helps
in understanding how
these animals survive,
respond and interact in
their environment.
 Importance of Studying Biology
This science of Biology also
encompasses the study of
different causative agents of
diseases such as bacteria and
viruses. By studying these
organisms, we can learn ways
to fight and prevent the
spread of diseases they
cause.
 Importance of Studying Biology
Biology also helps you respond
to the demands of an
increasing human population,
through careful studies and
research, plants and animals
for consumption are improved
to answer the need for
increased food production.
Importance of Studying Biology
Biology takes into its realm the
study of plants. Plants are
important as they provide us
with food, oxygen, medicine,
clothing, etc. Many of the
building materials of our
houses and furniture are from
plants.
 Importance of Studying Biology
As a result of man- made and
natural calamities, a great part
of our environment is in danger
of being destroyed.
Understanding biological
processes that lead to such
problems can help preserve
these endangered species and
their ecosystems.
 BIOLOGICAL
ORGANIZATION
Life is characterized by a high degree of order, and the biological
organization is based on this order. Each level of organization is more
complex compared with the level preceding it.
The biosphere

Biomes

Cells
Organs and
Ecosystems organ systems

Organelles

Communities

Tissues
Molecules
Populations
Organisms
 BIOSPHERE
a global ecological system,
which consists of all life on
Earth and all the places where
life exists: most regions of land,
most bodies of water, the
atmosphere to an altitude of
several kilometers, and even
sediments far below the ocean
floor
 BIOME
An area of the planet that
can be classified according
to the plants and animals
that live in
it. Temperature, soil, and the
amount of light and water
help determine what life
exists in a biome. A biome
can be made up of many
ecosystems
Tropical Rainforest
Taiga
Desert
 Temperate
Deciduous Forest
Savanna
Wetlands
Coral Reef
 ECOSYSTEM
consists of all the living
things in a particular
area, along with all the
nonliving components of
the environment with
which life interacts
Example: All of the green algae, sunfish, frogs in the
water, along with amount of salt and temp of water.
 COMMUNITY
The array of organisms
inhabiting a particular
ecosystem includes many
kinds of plants, various
animals, mushrooms and
other fungi, and enormous
numbers of diverse
microorganisms
 POPULATION
consists of all the
individuals of a species
living within the bounds
of a specified area

Example: A herd of cows

A pride of Lions A raft of Penguins
 ORGANISM
an individual living thing that
has all of the characteristics of
life
 ORGAN SYSTEM
Different organs working together to perform
a major process in an organism.

Example: Digestive System

 ORGAN
a body part that is made up of
multiple tissues and has specific
functions in the body. Within an
organ, each tissue has a distinct
arrangement and contributes
particular properties to organ
function
Leaves, stems, and roots are the
major organs of plants.
 TISSUES
group of cells of same
type that work together,
performing a specialized
function
 CELL
the fundamental unit of structure
and function in a living thing. Some
organisms consist of a single cell,
which performs all the functions
of life. Other organisms are
multicellular and feature a division
of labor among specialized cells
 MOLECULE
union of two or more atoms
of the same or different elements

Atoms
ATOM
smallest unit of an element;
composed of electrons, protons,
and neutrons
 The Cell: Basic Principles
All living organisms in
the kingdoms of life
are composed of and
depend on cells to
function normally.
Cells are the simplest
unit of matter that is
living.
 The Cell: Basic Principles
The two primary kinds of cells
are eukaryotic cells, which have a
true nucleus containing DNA
and prokaryotic cells, which have
no true nucleus. Examples of
Eukaryotic cells include animal
cells, plant cells, and fungal cells,
while Prokaryotic cells include
bacteria and Archaeans.
 The Cell: Basic Principles
Cells contain organelles, or
tiny cellular structures, that
carry out specific functions
necessary for normal cellular
operation. Cells also
contain DNA and RNA, the
genetic information necessary
for directing cellular activities.
 The Cell: Basic Principles

Cell Reproduction
Eukaryotic cells grow and
reproduce through a complex
sequence of events called
the cell cycle. At the end of the
cycle, cells will divide either
through the processes
of mitosis or meiosis. Somatic
cells replicate through mitosis
and sex cells reproduce via
meiosis.
Cell Reproduction
Prokaryotic cells reproduce
commonly through a type of
asexual reproduction
called binary fission. Higher
organisms are also capable
of asexual reproduction
through the formation of
spores (plants), budding,
fragmentation, regeneration,
and parthenogenesis (animals).
The Cell: Basic Principles (Cellular
Processes)
Photosynthesis and Respiration

Cells undergo the complex

process of cellular respiration in
order to obtain energy stored in
the nutrients consumed.
Photosynthetic organisms are
capable of photosynthesis. In
photosynthesis, light energy from
the sun is converted to glucose.
The Cell: Basic Principles (Cellular
Processes)

Endocytosis and
Exocytosis
Cells also perform the active
transport processes of
endocytosis and exocytosis.
These processes allow molecule
transportation between cells.
 The Cell: Basic Principles (Cellular
Processes)

Cell Migration
Cell migration is a process that is
vital for the development
of tissues and organs. Cell
movement is also required
for mitosis and cytokinesis to
occur. Cell migration is made
possible by interactions between
motor enzymes
and cytoskeleton microtubules.
 The Cell: Basic Principles (Cellular
Processes)
DNA Replication and
Protein Synthesis
The cell process of DNA replication is
an important function that is needed
for several processes
including chromosome synthesis
and cell division to occur. DNA
transcription and RNA
translation make the process of protein
synthesis possible.
CELL THEORY
 Robert Hooke
In 1665, Robert Hooke used a microscope to
examine a thin slice of cork (dead plant cell
walls)

Anton Van
In 1673, Leeuwenhoek
Leeuwenhoek was first to view
organism (living things). Leeuwenhoek used a
simple, handheld microscope to view pond
water & scrapings from his teeth
 Matthias Schleiden
In 1838, a German botanist named Matthias Schleiden concluded
that all plants were made of cells

Theodore Schwann
In 1839, a German zoologist named
Theodore Schwann concluded that all
animals were made of cells

Rudolph Virchow
In 1855, a German medical doctor named Rudolph Virchow
observed, under the microscope, cells dividing
Cell Theory
1. All organisms are composed of one or more
cells.
2. Cells are the smallest living units of all living
organisms.
3. Cells arise only by division of a previously
existing cell.
 Modern Version of
Cell Theory
1. Energy flow occurs within cells.
2. Heredity information (DNA) is passed on
from cell to cell.
3. All cells have the same basic chemical
composition.
QUESTIONS?
MODULE ACTIVITY #1: What Makes Us a Living Thing?

Fill in the blanks:

1. A __________ consists of the interactions between groups of
different individuals and the non-living factors in a particular area.

2. All members of one species form a ____________.

3. All populations in one natural setting plus their physical environment

constitutes a(n):
MODULE ACTIVITY #1: What Makes Us a Living Thing?

4. ____________ is composed of two or more tissue types that come

together to perform a function.

5. A physician specializes on surgery involving the esophagus, stomach,

and intestines. This physician is specialized at which level of
organization?

6. ________________ is also required for mitosis and cytokinesis to

occur.
MODULE ACTIVITY #1: What Makes Us a Living Thing?

7. is essential to obtain energy stored in the

nutrients consumed.

8. Light energy from the sun is converted to glucose via

_______________.
MODULE ACTIVITY #1: What Makes Us a Living Thing?

Answer the following questions:

1. What common feature do all living things share?

2. Do all organisms have more than one cell? If not, give an example of
an organism that is unicellular.

3. What instrument helped scientists discover cells?

MODULE ACTIVITY #1: What Makes Us a Living Thing?
Fill out the chart below:

Scientist Discovery or contribution to science

Robert Hooke
Anton van Leeuwenhoek
Matthias Schleiden
Theodor Schwann
Rudolph Virchow
CLARIFICATIONS?
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!