Name ___________________________________ Date ____________ Guided Notes

GUIDED NOTES UNIT 1 – INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY

1. Define biology – biology is the scientific study of life.

Characteristics of Life

1. _Are made of cells_______________________________

2. _Use energy____________________________________

3. _Grow and develop_______________________________

4. _Reproduce______________________________________

5. _Respond to a stimulus______________________________

6. _Evolve through adaptation___________________________

7. _Maintain homeostasis______________________________

Characteristics of Life in Detail

1. Made of Cells: living organisms are made up of cells and all show order; highly-

organized structures in their cells, tissues, organs, or organ systems.

2. Use Energy: each organism must have a source of energy and must use that energy.

Metabolism- all the chemical reactions involved in maintaining the living state of

cells and organisms.

3. Grow and Develop: organisms grow and develop along specific sequence based on the

instructions present in their genes.

Name ___________________________________ Date ____________ Guided Notes
GUIDED NOTES UNIT 1 – INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY

4. Reproduce: all life is able to reproduce, passing their genes along to healthy, fertile

offspring.

DNA- carries the genetic material/instructions used in growth, development,

functioning, and reproduction of all known organisms.

5. Respond to a stimulus from the environment: living organisms have the ability to

respond to changes in their environment called stimuli.

6. Adaptation: in a population, individuals with favorable traits will survive and reproduce

at higher rates.

7. Maintain Homeostasis: living organisms must maintain a specific range of internal

conditions in spite of the outside changes. This balance is called homeostasis.

Organization of Life

2. Define each level of organization of life, starting with the largest.

a. Biosphere – is the part of Earth that supports life.

Name ___________________________________ Date ____________ Guided Notes
GUIDED NOTES UNIT 1 – INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY
b. Ecosystem – is a specific area within the biosphere with a common set of physical
characteristics.

c. Community – is made of all populations living and interacting in one ecosystem.

d. Population – includes all members of a species that live in the same community.

e. Organism – is an individual living thing.

f. Organ – structures with a specific vital function.

g. Tissue – are groups of cells with similar structure and functions.

h. Cell - is the smallest unit of an organism that still demonstrates all the basic
characteristics of life.