Chapter 1 : Invitation to Biology

FOCUS:
The unity of life
Levels of life
Diversity of life
The process of Science
Discovery of Science
Hyphothesis driven Science
The culture of Science
Science technology and Society
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 The Unity of Life
All life-forms on Earth have a common system.
Examples:
Universal usage of DNA to store genetic information.
The ribosome technique of protein synthesis.
Proteins serve as enzymes and catalysts.
The same 20 amino acids are always used, and only left-
handed ones.
A universal genetic code.
DNA triplets coding for same amino acid.
The use of proteins and lipids to make membranes.
The use of the ATP-ADP cycle for chemical energy.
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Levels of Life
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 Levels of Life
1. A molecule is a chemical structure consisting of
two or more small chemicals units called atoms,
which is usually represented as balls.
2. Organelles, the various functional components
present in cells.
3. Cells, lifes fundamental unit of structure and
function.
4. Tissues, made up of a group of cells that work
together, performing specialized function.

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 Levels of Life
5. Organ, a body part that carries out a particular
function in the body.
6. Organ system, a team of organs organized in a
system to perform larger function.
7. Organism, individual living things.
8. Population consists of all individuals of a
species living within the bounds of a specified
area.
9. Community is the entire array of organism
inhabiting a particular ecosystem.
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 Levels of Life
10.Ecosystem consists of interactions between all
living and non-living things in a particular area.
11.Biosphere consists of all life on earth and all
the places where life exits.

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How many species that are available at
earth?
List down the approximate number of species for
the following category:
1. Fungi
2. Plant
3. Vertebrate
4. Insect

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 Classifying the Diversity of Life
Biologist had identified about 1.8 million species
to date.
This include approximately:
1. Fungi: 100 000 species
2. Plant: 290 000 species
3. Vertebrate: 52 000 species
4. Insect: 1 million species

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 Classifying the Diversity of Life
The number species present in this universe are
huge and diverse (1.8 million species to date).
We need a systematic way of classifying them.
Taxonomy, the branch of biology that names
and classify species according to degree to which
they share characteristics.

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Diversity of Life : Classification

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 The Three Domain of Life
The kingdom of life could be further classified
into higher level of classification known as
domains.
There are three main domains:
1. Bacteria
2. Archaea
3. Eukarya

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The Domain of Life

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 Domain : Bacteria
Bacteria are prokaryotes.
Bacteria are the most diverse and
widespread prokaryotes.
Each rod-shaped structure below is a
bacterial cell.

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 Domain : Archaea
Archaea are prokaryotes.
They live in Earths extreme environments such
as salty lakes and boiling hot springs.
Each round structure is an archaeal cell.

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 Domain: Eukarya
All eukaryotes (organisms with eukaryotic cells)
are grouped in domain Eukarya.
This domain includes four kingdoms of
multicellular eukaryotes:
1. Protists
2. Fungi
3. Plantae
4. Animalia

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Protists Fungi

Plantae Animalia
 Domain: Eukarya
Protists are mostly unicellular eukaryotes and
some relatively simple multicellular relatives.
Fungi is defined by their nutritional mode (such
as mushroom), which absorb nutrients from
outside their body.
Plantae consists of terrestrial multicellular
eukaryotes (land plants) that carry out
photosynthesis.
Animalia consists of multicellular eukaryotes that
ingest other organism.
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 The process of Science
Science derived from a Latin verb which means
to know.
Science is a way of knowing an approach to
understand the natural world.
Understanding science begins with curiosity and
inquiry, to search for information and
explanation on a specific question.
There is no formula or a single scientific method
with rule that a scientist must rigidly follow.

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 Discovery of Science
Science is discovered and begin through:
1. Making observation.
This step involve careful observation and analysis of
data.
Data collected could be either qualitative (recorded
as description) or quantitative (recorded as
measurements, with values and numbers).

2. Forming Hypotheses.
Hypothesis is a tentative answer to a well framed
question.
Hypothesis is created based on available data and
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 Discovery of Science
3. Testing Hypotheses
This stage usually involve prediction from
experimental or observational results.
Testing supports that hypothesis by not proving
it correct but just proving it false.

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Discovery of Science

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Discovery of Science
Questions that cannot be addressed by
Science
Hypothesis in science must be testable and
falsified.
Science could test nor falsify hypothesis related
to natural phenomena such as existence of
angels, ghost, spirits.
Supernatural explanation is outside the bound of
science, are mainly issues of personal faith.

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 LONERS
ISOLATED

The Culture of Science : Misperception

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 The Culture of Science : In reality

Full-filling career Work in team

Effective
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 The Culture of Science
Scientists were portray as loners and working in
isolated labs.
In reality, most scientist work in teams, include
both graduates and undergraduates.
Lab members help each other.
Scientists are good communicators that share
research results through seminars, publications
and website.

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 Science, Technology and Society
The aim of science is to understand natural
phenomena.
Technology is applying scientific knowledge for
some specific purpose.
Combination of science and technology can have
dramatic effects on society.

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 Science, Technology and Society
Forensic analysis of DNA samples from a crime
scene led to release of Charles Chatman from
prison for a rape he didnt commit in 2008.

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