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Exploring the Diversity of Life through Biology

Biology is the study of all life forms in the biosphere, which encompasses the incredible diversity of life on Earth. This field explores the interconnectedness of living organisms in various environments, from tide pools to deserts. Biodiversity is greater closer to the equator, where conditions support a variety of species. Essential to biology is understanding that all living things share common characteristics, such as the need for energy, cell structure, response to the environment, heredity, reproduction, and evolution. Homeostasis, the maintenance of internal equilibrium, plays a vital role in sustaining life, with negative feedback loops regulating physiological functions. Disruptions to homeostasis, whether short-term like a virus or long-term as in diabetes, can have harmful effects. Organisms exhibit behaviors and adaptations to maintain homeostasis in challenging environments. This overview of biology highlights the importance of understanding and preserving the delicate balance of life on Earth.

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Exploring the Diversity of Life through Biology

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  1. KEY CONCEPT Biology is the study of all forms of life.

  2. biosphere = everywhere life exists Earth is home to an incredible diversity of life. • The biosphere includes all living things and all the places they are found.

  3. Earth is home to an incredible diversity of life. • Every part of the biosphere is connected with every other part. • The biosphere includes many environments. • land environments

  4. Tidepool Estuary • saltwater and freshwater environments • The biosphere includes many environments. • portions of the atmosphere

  5. Biodiversity is the variety of life. • Biodiversity generally increases from the poles to the equator. • Biodiversity is greater in areas with consistently warm temperatures. Biodiversity is greater closer to the equator.

  6. A species is one particular type of living thing. • Members of a species can interbreed to reproduce. • There are about 2 million different living species have been identified. Fig. 1.1 – Honeypot ants live in deserts where food and water are scarce. Some of the ant in the colony act as storage tanks for other ants in the colony.

  7. All organisms share certain characteristics. • Biology is the scientific study of all forms of life.

  8. An organism is any individual living thing. Scientists have devised a systematic way to determine if something is living or non-living. • There are generally 6 characteristics of living things: • All are made of one or more cells. • All need energy for metabolism (all the chemical processes that build up or break down materials) Fig. 1.2 – Cells can work together in specialized structures, such as these leaf hairs that protect a leaf from insects. LM, magnification 700X

  9. 3. All respond to their environment (homeostasis). 4. All have DNA/RNA that they pass on to offspring (heredity). 5. All can reproduce (single cellular and multicellular organisms). 6. They evolve (or change over time). The genetic makeup of a population of a species changes. Evolution can occur through natural selection of adaptations. • Characteristics of life continued… Fig. 1.3 – Reproductive strategies differ among species. The male gold-specs jawfish protects unhatched eggs by holding them in his mouth. Summarize: What characteristics are shared by all living things?

  10. Conditions within the body must remain within a narrow range in order for organisms to stay alive. • Homeostasis involves keeping the internal environment within set ranges. Homeostasis is the regulation and maintenance of the internal environment of living things. Example: Body temperature. Cold temperatures can lead to goose bumps. Blood flow to the skin decreases. Tiny muscles contract the pores and the skin around body hairs conserve heat.

  11. Organisms must maintain homeostasis to survive in diverse environments. Predict: What will happen to the skin in hot temperatures? Draw conclusions: Why is it so important to maintain homeostasis within the body?

  12. pore sweat glands hair follicle muscle goose bump • sensors gather data • control center receives data, sends messages • communication system delivers messages to target organs, tissues • targets respond to change • Control systems help maintain homeostasis.

  13. Homeostasis is usually maintained through negative feedback. • Negative feedback systems return a condition to its normal (set) point. • Most functions in the body are regulated by negative feed back loops Examples: Respiratory rates, thermoregulation, blood sugar levels, hunger and thirst levels, water levels

  14. Holding breath, CO2 levels rise, O2 /CO2 level returns to normal Control system forces exhale, inhale Negative feedback loops are necessary for homeostasis. • Feedback compares current conditions to set ranges. • Negative feedback counteracts change. Negative Feedback Loop

  15. platelets blood vessel fibrin clot white blood cell red blood cell • Torn vessel stimulates release of clotting factors • Positive feedback increases change. • Growth hormones stimulate cell division • The release of hormones to stimulate labor in humans.

  16. A disruption of homeostasis can be harmful. • Homeostasis can be disrupted for several reasons. • sensors fail • targets do not receive messages • injury • illness

  17. pancreas 1 Pancreas cells attacked;insulin declines fats 2 Blood glucose levels rise, kidneys 3 4 Body burns fat; blood more acidic, Cells impaired; all organs damaged. • Short-term disruption usually causes little or no harm. • Effects usually last a few days or a few weeks. Example: cold or flu virus • Long-term disruptions can cause more damage. • Example: Diabetes is a serious long-term disruption of homeostasis.

  18. Behaviors and adaptations can help maintain homeostasis. • Behavior: If you are cold, put on a jacket. • Adaptation – polar bears have hollow hair. Summarize: What is homeostasis and why is it important? Fig 2.3 – The polar bear can maintain homeostasis in very cold climates. Its hollow hair is one adaptation that helps the bear retain its body heat. SEM Magnification: 450X

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