The World of Biology

Our planet is home to a wide variety of life, including giant tube worms at the
bottom of the ocean, red algae on Arctic glaciers, and bacteria in every part of the
world. The study of this incredible diversity of life is the focus of biology. With
an estimated 40 million species of organisms on Earth, scientists have only
identified and named around 2 million of them.
What Are Living Things Made Of?
The Basic Unit: Cells
Cells are the building blocks of
life, and all organisms are
composed of at least one cell.
Multicellular organisms are made
up of multiple cells, with cells
specialized for specific functions.
Organization at the
Molecular Level
All living things are organized at
the molecular level, taking in
substances from the environment
and organizing them in complex
ways.
Organized By Function
In multicellular organisms, cells
and groups of cells are organized
by their function. For example,
different cell types make up the
stem of a plant, each performing
different functions.
Energy Use: How Living Things Get Energy
Metabolism
All living things use energy in
a process called metabolism,
which encompasses all of the
chemical reactions that occur
in an organism. This energy is
used to maintain molecular
and cellular organization, as
well as to grow and
reproduce.
Photosynthesis
Plants and some types of
unicellular organisms capture
energy from the sun through
photosynthesis, changing it
into a form that can be used
by living things. These
autotrophs convert water and
carbon dioxide into energy-
rich substances like sugars
and starches, which they use
to meet their own energy
needs.
Heterotrophs
Organisms that cannot make
their own food, like animals
and fungi, must take in food
to meet their energy needs.
Heterotrophs consume
autotrophs, other
heterotrophs, or both.
Staying Stable: Homeostasis in Living Things

Characteristics of Life Organization Energy Acquisition

• Organization A living thing is organized into Organisms obtain the energy they
• cells, tissues, organs, and organ need to survive through processes
Energy acquisition
systems. These structures work like photosynthesis (for plants)
• Homeostasis
together to carry out specific and consuming food (for
• Growth and development functions necessary for life. animals). This energy is used for
• Reproduction growth, reproduction, and the
• maintenance of bodily functions.
Response to stimuli

Difference Between Understanding Living