Introduction to Biology

Biology  Require energy to maintain their molecular

and cellular organization, grow and
 Derived from two Greek words: Bios and reproduce
Logos;
4. Homeostasis
 the science that deals with living things.
 Maintain stable internal conditions
 studies everything about the living things
(forms and functions) and how it relates to  Temperature, pH, heart rate, etc
its environment.
5. Growth and development
Characteristics of Life
 Grow occurs as the result of cell division
1. Composed of Cells and cell enlargement
 Cell division is the formation of two cells
 All living things are composed of cells from a preexisting cell
 In multicellular organisms, many are  New cells enlarge as they mature
specialized to perform specific functions  When a cell grows to a size where its
 Cells are always very small surface area isn’t big enough for its
2. Organization volume, the cell divides

 Organized at both the molecular and 6. Reproduction

cellular levels  All species have the ability to reproduce
 Cells are organized into tissues, tissues o Not essential to survival of individual
into organs, and organs into organ but is essential for continuation of a
system. species
In multicellular organisms, cells and groups of cells 7. Responsiveness
(tissues) are organized by their function
 Respond to stimuli in the external
Cells → tissues environment
Tissues → organs  Detect and respond to changes in light,
heat, sound and chemical and mechanical
Organs →Systems contact.
Systems →ORGANISM 8. Adaptation
3. Energy Use  is a process which allows organisms to
become gradually better suited to
 Use energy in a process called metabolism
survive in their environment.
o Sum of all chemical processes
 All organisms should adapt to their
habitat or they will die.

Cell Structure and Function

Cells
 Smallest living unit of life.
 Most are microscopic
Cell Size

Characteristics of All Cells

 It has a surrounding membrane.
 Protoplasm –comprising the living part of a cell.
 Organelles – structures are for cell function.
Cell Types
Eukaryotic Prokaryotic

Prokaryotic Cells
 Prokaryote- from Greek, pro “before” and karyon “kernel”
 Include bacteria and blue-green algae.
Eukaryotic Cells
 Eukaryotes-from Greek, eu “before” and karyon “kernel”
 Include plants, animals, protists and fungi

Animal Cell Plant Cell

 Prokaryotes Eukaryotes

Organisms Bacteria Protists, fungi, plants, animals

Cell size 1 to 10µm 10 to 100 µm

Genetic DNA in chromosomes is in membrane- bounded

DNA is in cytoplasm
Organization nucleus.

Organelles No membrane- bound organelles Membrane- bound organelles

Binary Fission Mitosis, meiosis

Reproduction
Mostly asexual Mostly sexual

Organelles Movement Across the Plasma Membrane

 Cellular machinery  A few molecules move freely:
o Water, Carbon dioxide, Ammonia,
 Two general kinds
Oxygen
o Derived from membranes
 Carrier proteins transport some molecules
o Bacteria-like organelles
o Proteins embedded in lipid bilayer
Bacteria-Like Organelles
Membrane Proteins
 Derived from symbiotic bacteria
1. Channels or transporters
 Endosymbiotic theory
o Move molecules in one direction
o is an evolutionary theory of the
2. Receptors
origin of eukaryotic cells from
prokaryotic organisms. o Recognize certain chemicals
Plasma Membrane 3. Glycoproteins
 Contains cell contents o Identify cell type
 Double layer of phospholipids & proteins 4. Enzymes
Phospholipids o Catalyze production of substances
 Polar Cell Walls
o Hydrophylic head
 Found in plants, fungi, & many
o Hydrophobic tail
protists
 Interacts with water
 Surrounds plasma membrane
Cell Wall Differences
 Plants – mostly cellulose
 Fungi – contain chitin
Cytoplasm Nucleus
 Viscous fluid containing organelles  Control center of cell
 components of cytoplasm  Double membrane
o Interconnected filaments & fibers  Contains
o Fluid = cytosol o Chromosomes
o Organelles (not nucleus) o Nucleolus
o store substances Nuclear Envelope
 Separates nucleus from rest of cell
Cytoskeleton  DNA
 Filaments & fibers  Hereditary material
 Made of 3 fiber types  Chromosomes
o Microfilaments o DNA
o Microtubules o Proteins
o Intermediate filaments o Form for cell division
 3 functions:  Chromatin
o mechanical support Nucleolus
o anchor organelles  Most cells have 2 or more
 Directs synthesis of RNA
o help move substances
 Forms ribosomes
Cilia & Flagella
Membranous Organelles
o Provide motility
 Functional components within cytoplasm
 Cilia  Bound by membranes

o Short Endoplasmic Reticulum

o Used to move substances outside  Helps move substances within cells

human cells  Network of interconnected membranes

 Flagella Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

o Whip-like extensions  Ribosomes attached to surface

o Not all ribosomes attached to rough
o Found on sperm cells ER
Centrioles  It manufactures, processes and transport
proteins for export from cell.
 Pairs of microtubular structures
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
 Play a role in cell division
 No attached ribosomes
 It functions for lipid synthesis and
metabolism of carbohydrates.
 Also works for detoxification of drugs
Golgi Apparatus Other Organelles
 Involved in synthesis of plant cell wall  Release & store energy
 Packaging & shipping station of cell  Types
o Mitochondria
Lysosomes
(release energy)
 Contain digestive enzymes
o Chloroplasts
 Functions
o Aid in cell renewal (store energy)
o Break down old cell parts
Mitochondria
o Digests invaders
 Have their own DNA
Vacuoles
 Bound by double membrane
 Membrane bound storage sacs
 More common in plants than animals  Break down fuel molecules (cellular
 Contents respiration)
o Water
o Food o Glucose
o wastes o Fatty acids
 Release energy
o ATP
Chloroplasts
 Solar energy capturing organelle
 help turn sunlight into food that can be
used by the cell
 .