1.

2 Unifying Themes of Biology

TEKS 4B, 7E, 10A, 10C, 11A

The student is expected to:

4B investigate and explain cellular processes,

including homeostasis, energy conversions,
transport of molecules, and synthesis of new
molecules;
7E analyze and evaluate the relationship of natural
selection to adaptation and to the development of
diversity in and among species;
1.2 Unifying Themes of Biology
TEKS 4B, 7E, 10A, 10C, 11A

(Continued)

10A describe the interactions that occur among

systems...; 10C analyze the levels of
organization in biological systems and relate
the levels to each other and to the whole
system; 11A describe the role of internal
feedback mechanisms in the maintenance of
homeostasis
 1.2 Unifying Themes of Biology
TEKS 4B, 7E, 10A, 10C, 11A

KEY CONCEPT
Unifying themes connect concepts from many
fields of biology.
 1.2 Unifying Themes of Biology
TEKS 4B, 7E, 10A, 10C, 11A

! All organisms share certain characteristics.

• Biology is the scientific study of all forms of life.
 1.2 Unifying Themes of Biology
TEKS 4B, 7E, 10A, 10C, 11A

• An organism is any individual living thing.

– All are made of one or more cells.
 1.2 Unifying Themes of Biology
TEKS 4B, 7E, 10A, 10C, 11A

• An organism is any individual living thing.

– All are made of one or more cells.
– All need energy for metabolism.
– All respond to their environment.
– All have DNA that they pass on to offspring.
 1.2 Unifying Themes of Biology
TEKS 4B, 7E, 10A, 10C, 11A

! All levels of life have systems of related parts.

• A system is an organized group of interacting parts.
– A cell is a system of chemicals and processes.
– A body system includes organs that interact.
– An ecosystem includes living and nonliving things that
interact.
 1.2 Unifying Themes of Biology
TEKS 4B, 7E, 10A, 10C, 11A

• Biologists study many different systems.

 1.2 Unifying Themes of Biology
TEKS 4B, 7E, 10A, 10C, 11A

! Structure and function are related in biology.

• Structure determines function.
– Proteins with different structures perform different
functions.
– Heart muscle cells have a different structure and
function than stomach muscle cells.
– Different species have different anatomical structures
with different functions.
 1.2 Unifying Themes of Biology
TEKS 4B, 7E, 10A, 10C, 11A

! Organisms must maintain homeostasis to survive in

diverse environments.
• Homeostasis is the maintenance of constant internal
conditions.
 1.2 Unifying Themes of Biology
TEKS 4B, 7E, 10A, 10C, 11A

• Homeostasis is the maintenance of constant internal

conditions.
– Homeostasis is usually maintained through negative
feedback.
– Negative feedback systems return a condition to its
normal (set) point.
 1.2 Unifying Themes of Biology
TEKS 4B, 7E, 10A, 10C, 11A

• Behaviors and adaptations can help maintain

homeostasis.
 1.2 Unifying Themes of Biology
TEKS 4B, 7E, 10A, 10C, 11A

! Evolution explains the unity and diversity of life.

• Evolution is the change in living things over time.
– The genetic makeup of a population of a species
changes.
– Evolution can occur through natural selection of
adaptations.
– Adaptations are beneficial inherited traits that are
passed to future generations.
 1.2 Unifying Themes of Biology
TEKS 4B, 7E, 10A, 10C, 11A

• Evolution accounts for both the diversity and the unity of

life.