BIOL 1115 Chapter 1

General Biology I Introduction

Chapter 1: Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

By the end of today’s lesson, you should be able to:
 Describe how the scientific method is used to learn about natural phenomena.
o Correctly use the following terms: hypothesis, prediction, theory.
 Describe three properties that all cells possess.
 Define the central dogma.
 Discuss the importance of a cell’s plasma membrane.
 List the two sources from which organisms can harness energy.
o Define metabolism.
 Define evolution.
o Discuss how evolutionary theory can be used to investigate the relationships among
different types of organisms.
 Distinguish among the three domains of life.

Introduction to Biology:
Define Biology.

Define Evolution.

List and describe seven processes / characteristics that distinguish organisms from non-living things.

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BIOL 1115 Chapter 1
General Biology I Introduction
Scientific Method:
Define science.

Observe the picture and video shown in class. List at least three questions based on your observations.

 Observations can lead us to ask questions and propose

hypothetical explanations called hypotheses.
o A hypothesis is a tentative _________________ to a
well-framed question.
o A scientific hypothesis leads to predictions that can
be tested by observation or experimentation.
 A hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable.
o Failure to falsify a hypothesis does not prove that
hypothesis.

Give an example of a hypothesis that is not testable.

Give an example of a hypothesis that is not falsifiable.

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General Biology I Introduction
 Once a hypothesis has been supported by a large body of experiments
and observations, it can become a ________________.

The Scientific Theory in Practice Example #1:

 Observation: Iridium, a common
component of meteorites, was found in
rock layers corresponding to the time of
dinosaur extinction.
 Hypothesis:

 Predictions:

Does the evidence support the hypothesis? Explain.

 Conclusions:

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General Biology I Introduction
The Scientific Theory in Practice Example #2:
 The scientific method was used to show that living organisms come from
____________ living organisms.
o Francesco Redi tested this hypothesis in the 1600s by
demonstrating that maggots come from flies laying their eggs.

Explain this experiment in your own words.

Cells:
Why are cells important?

 Cell: the simplest self-replicating entity that can exist as an independent

unit of life.
 Cell features include:
o An ability to store and transmit ____________________.
o A ____________________________________.
o An ability to harness ___________________ from the
environment.

Cells Store and Transmit Information:

What molecule enables cells to transmit and store information?

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BIOL 1115 Chapter 1
General Biology I Introduction
 The central dogma describes the basic flow of
______________________ in a cell.
o DNA is transcribed into RNA.
o RNA is then translated into protein.
 A gene is the _________ sequence that corresponds to a specific
protein product.

Cells have a Plasma Membrane:

 The plasma membrane separates the contents within the cell from the
nonliving environment around it.
o It controls the _____________________ of material
between the cell and the environment.
 Some cells have internal membranes that divide the cell into
compartments.

What type of cells has a nucleus?

What type of cells lack a nucleus?

Cells can Harness Energy from the Environment:

 Organisms acquire energy from two sources:
___________________ and ______________________________.
 All organisms use chemical reactions to break down molecules, storing
released ______________ in a chemical form called ATP.
o The term metabolism describes chemical reactions that cells use
to convert energy from one form to another and to build and
break down molecules.

What do you think:

Should viruses be considered the smallest living organisms?

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BIOL 1115 Chapter 1
General Biology I Introduction
Evolution:
 When there is variation within a population of organisms, and when that
variation can be ___________________, the variants best able to grow
and reproduce in a particular environment will contribute
_____________________________ to the next generation, leading to a
change in the population over time, or evolution.

Give two examples of evolution.

 Evolutionary theory predicts that new

_________________ arise by the
divergence of populations through time
from a common ancestor.
o As a result, closely related species
are likely to _________________
each other more closely than they
do more distantly related species.
 Today, three domains of life are
recognized.
o Both the bacteria and archaea
lack a nucleus and are
therefore
______________________.
o The eukaryotes have a
nucleus.
 However, in spite of the similar cellular
structure of the bacteria and the
archaea, the eukarya and archaea are
more closely ____________________.