Introduction to Biology

Prepared by:
Ms. Belinda D. Gabionza, MS Bio
(CAR),MABioEd(CAR), LPT
 Biology – The Study of Life
• Life arose more than 3.8
billion years ago in an
aquatic environment.
• First organisms (living
things) were single celled
or unicellular.
• Organisms changed over
time (evolved), from old
organisms to new.
• Comes from 2 Greek
words;
- Bios (life)
- Logos (study)
Single celled organism
 3 Major Divisions of Biology
(Traditional)
• Microbiology – study of
microorganisms
• Botany – study of plants
• Zoology – study of animals
 Traditional Branches of Biology
•Taxonomy
•Cytology
•Embryology
•Anatomy
•Physiology
•Biochemistry
•Genetics
•Evolution
•Ecology
Modern Branches of Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Genomics
• Molecular Biology
• Pharmacogenomics
• Proteomics
• Synthetic biology
• Systems biology
 Why study
Biology?
What are
the
importance
of studying
Biology?
 Importance of Studying Biology
•Biology is the SCIENCE OF LIFE.
•Biology involves studying and examining
other animals.
•Biology encompasses the study of different
causative agents of diseases such as bacteria.
•Biology helps you respond to the demands of
an increasing human population.
•Biology takes into its realm the study of
plants.
•Biology is a SCIENCE THAT HELPS YOU
THINK CRITICALLY, MAKE INFORMED
CHOICES AND SOLVE PROBLEMS.
 Biology as a SCIENCE
DISCOVERY BASED HYPOTHESIS BASED
SCIENCE SCIENCE

•based on deductive •based on inductive

reasoning reasoning
•mostly about describing •tries to explain nature
nature •does not discovers new
•discovers" new knowledge
knowledge •involves tentative
•involves predictions answers to specific
about outcomes questions
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
 Observation – STEP 1 - Asking a
Question
• Employing your five senses to perceive objects or events

Based on observations;
one or more questions
are generated
 Forming a Hypothesis – STEP 2
• A statement is testable if evidence can be collected
that either does or doesn’t support it;
• It can never be proven beyond doubt, and
• Often must be refined and revised or discarded

Types of REASONING

-Deductive
-Inductive
The Hypothesis ---
•Is a statement made in advance that
states the results that will be
obtained from testing the hypothesis
•Often written in the form of an “if-
then” statement
•EDUCATED or WIDE GUESS
Experimenting – STEP 3
• Testing a hypothesis or prediction
by gathering data under controlled
conditions – conducting a
controlled experiment
• Based on a comparison of a control
group
grou with an experimental group
• Both groups are identical except
for one factor (independent
variable)
variable
• Observations and measurements
are taken for a particular factor
(dependent variable)
variable in both
groups
Gathering, Organizing & Analyzing of
Data – STEP 4
• Involves placing observations and measurement
(data) in order - Graphs, charts, tables, or maps
• Process of or prediction determining whether data are
reliable or whether they support or do not support a
hypothesis
 Conclusion – STEP 5

• Conclusions are made on the basis of facts, not

observations
• Often drawn from data gathered from a study or
experiment
• Should support the hypothesis
• Should be re-testable
 Communication – STEP 6
• Scientists must share the results of their studies with
other scientists (peers)
• Present their findings at scientific meetings
• Scientists must be unbiased
• Should not tamper with their data
• Only publish & report tested & proven ideas

COMMUNICATION is
• Sharing of information is essential to scientific process
• Subject to examination and verification by other
scientists
• Allows scientists to build on the work of others
Theories
• A theory may be formed after
many related hypotheses have
been tested and supported with
experimental evidence
• A broad and comprehensive
statement of what is thought to
be true
• Supported by considerable
evidence
• Ties together related hypotheses
Laws
• A Statement of fact that concisely explains an
action or group of actions
e.g. Law of Gravity
• Accepted to be true
• Universal
• May be expressed as a math equation
e.g. E=mc2
 Characteristics of Life
What does it mean
to be alive???

•There are 8
characteristics of life . . .
•No single characteristic is
enough to describe a
living thing . . .
•They must have all eight.
 THE ‘MUST” OF LIVING
ORGANISMS
1. Living things are made up cells.
2. Living things reproduce.
3. Living things are based on a universal genetic code
(DNA).
4. Living things grow and develop.
5. Living things obtain and use materials and energy.
6. Living things respond to their environment.
7. Living things maintain a stable internal
environment. (homeostasis)
8. Taken as a group, living things change over time.
 Origin of Life

Needham’s Experiment Spallanzani’s Experiment

Redi’s Experiment

a. PANSPERMIA
b. DIVINE CREATION
c. SPONTANEOUS

Pasteur’s Experiment
 END OF THE
INTRODUCTION
TO
BIOLOGY