Mindanao State University

BALINDONG COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

Balindong, Lanao del sur
______________________________________________________________________________
1st SEMESTER
Module 1-2 (LIFE SCIENCE)

Name of Teacher: Mohamed M. Solaiman

Grade Level: Grade 11(Senior High School)
Number of Session: 1 weeks
Contact number: 09481649996
Life Science

Introduction:

Science is derived from the latin word scientia which means to know. Science is a way of knowing about
the natural world. It developed out of our curiosity about selves, other life forms, our planet and the
universe. Any factual information we know are products of scientist’s observations and experimentation.

Objectives:

1. To know the major forms and views of science

2. To determine the elements of the scientific method
3. To describe biology as a science
4. To determine the brief history of biology
5. To determine the theories on the origin of life
6. To determine the characteristics of life

Major Forms of science

A. Pure Science or research

Discovering additional information
Doing experiment or research to gather new data or facts
Examples: Biology, physics, chemistry
B. Applied Science or Technology
Any practice based from known facts
Application of research
Example: Medicine, Agriculture, Engineering

Scientific Methods
A problem-solving method
An intellectual pursuit to establish true conclusions

Elements of a Scientific Method

A. Problem recognition or Problem Formulation

Asking question about the observations
B. Hypothesis
An educated scientific guess
C. Experimentation
Doing further observation
Gathering and recording of some evidences

Experimental Design includes:

a. Variables
I independent variable- component of the experiment being tested also known as the
experimental variables
ii. Dependent variable- the result or change due to the effect of the independent
 variable
b. Control set-up or control group –the group that does not receive the component of the
experiment being tested
c. Experimental set-up or experimental group- the group that receive the component of
the experiment being tested
d. D. Analysis of data –examination of the collected data from the experiment

Types of Data
a. Quantitative data- numerical measurement
b. Qualitative data-recorded description
e. Conclusion- final statement about the result of the experiment
D. Theory
Concept based from conclusion of experiment and observations and supported by large
quantity of evidence.

Cell theory, theory of evolution, theory of biogenesis

E. Law
A theory that is found to be valid on universal level
Precise relationship between physical parameters that is believed to hold true in all
circumstances

Example: Law of Dominance, Law of Segregation, Law of Inertia, Law of gravity.

Biology as a life Science

Introduction:

Biology, in its broadest sense is the study of living things or the science of life. This branch of science
offers an organized and scientific framework for posing and answering such questions about the natural
world. In this field, biologist study how living things work and how they interact with the environment
and how they change over time. Many different kinds of living things ranging from tiny organisms such
as bacteria to very large organism such as elephants are studied in this field. Knowledge from biology is
very important since it dramatically affects our daily activities and our future.

Branches of Biology

A. Botany-the study of plants or flora

B. Zoology (zoon-animal)-the study of animals or fauna
C. Ecology (oikos-home)-the study of the relationship of an organism to their environment
D. Physiology (physio-nature)-the study of the functions of the body parts
E. Anatomy (ana-apart, tomy-to cut)-the study of the different structures or parts of an organism
revealed through dissection
F. Embryology (en-in, bryo-swell)-the study of the development of organism from fertilization to
birth
G. Genetics (genesis-beginning)-the study of heredity or inheritance
H. Histology (histos-tissue)- the study of the structure and functions of tissues
I. Cytology (Kytos –hollow)-the study of the structures and functions of cells
J. Pathology ( pathos-suffering)-the study of nature, symptoms, and causes of diseases
K. Taxonomy – (taxis-arrangement, nomos-law)-science of naming and classifying organism
L. Entomology (entomo-insects)-the study of insects
M. Ichthyology ( ichthyo-fish)- the study of fishes
N. Herpetology (herpeton-reptiles)-the study of reptiles
O. Ornithology (ornis-bird)-the study of birds
P. Parasitology (para-beside, sitos-food)-the study of parasites
Q. Evolution – evolve-to unroll) thestudy of the origin and differentiation of an organism
 R. Paleontology ( palaios-ancient, ont-being)-the study of fossils or remains of plants and animals
S. Microbiology –the study of microorganisms

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE
Life – a term that is used to summarize all the characteristics of a living organism.
- difficult to define; biologists focus on how life works; for them, life is that set of
characteristics that distinguish living organisms from inanimate objects (including dead
organisms)
1. Complexity of organization
- Life follows certain level of structural organization
- Atom  molecules  cell  tissue  organ  organ system  organism 
population  community  ecosystem  biosphere.
Atom – smallest unit of an element composed of electrons, protons and neutrons.
Molecules – union of two or more atoms of the same or different elements.
Cell – the structural and functional unit of all living things
a. Unicellular – composed of only one cell. Example: Paramecium
b. Multicellular – composed of more than one cells. Example: Human being
Tissue – a group of cells with a common structure and function
Organ – composed of tissues functioning together for a specific task
Organ system – composed of several organs working together
Organism – an individual; complex individuals contain organ system
Population – organism of the same species in a particular area
Community – interacting populations in a particular area
Ecosystem – a community plus the physical environment
Biosphere – regions of the Earth’s crust, water, and atmosphere inhabited by living things.
2. Metabolism and Energy Utilization
- the sum total of all chemical processes occurring within the cell of the body and within an
organism.
 Metabolism and Energy Utilization
We need energy to carry out life’s activities, energy: from the food we eat.
o Energy – the capacity to do work, it takes work to maintain the organization of the cell
and the organism.

The ultimate source of energy is the sun that is used by the plants to carry out photosynthesis
o Photosynthesis – a process that transforms solar energy into the chemical energy of
organism nutrient molecules.
o Metabolism – the sum total of all chemical processes occurring within the cell of the
body and within an organism.
a. Anabolism - the building-up of substances as fuel for energy
b. Catabolism - the breaking down of complex substances where energy is formed and
utilized.
3. Unique Chemical Organization
 Homeostatic
Homeostasis – ability of an organism to maintain a state of biological balance.
Temperature, moisture, acidity and other physiological processes must maintain within the
tolerance range. Homeostasis is carried out by the organ systems in our body.
4. Ability to grow
Growth and Development
Growth - The increase in size and numbers of cells
5. Definite form ad size range
6. Capacity to reproduce
 Reproduction
i. Asexual reproduction – copying; reproduction that does not involve the sex cells
(sperm and egg); involves one parent only.
Ex: Bacteria (reproduce through Binary Fission) and other invertebrates
ii. Sexual reproduction – reproduction involving the sex cells or gametes and their fusion
to produce a zygote which grows and develops into a new organism.
Ex: Mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds and fishes
7. Definite life span
* Life Span – definite period of existence
Stages of Development
a. beginning or origin
 b. growth
c. maturity
d. decline
e. death
8. Ability to respond to stimuli – to respond to certain changes in the environment like heat, light,
temperature, pressure and chemical.
 Respond
Stimulus - physical or chemical changes in the internal or external environment of an organism
that can cause response to an organism.
9. Variation and adaptation – the ability to adapt to a new environment.
*Adaptation – refers to a structure/ behavior by which the species gradually or rapidly becomes
better suited to survive in a given environment.
 Variation and Adaptation
Adaptation – refers to a change in structure/behavior in an organism to become gradually or
rapidly suited to an environment in order to survive.
10. Ability to move – displacement of the body from one place to another.

Theories on the Origin of Life

Theory of Special Creation

 All living organisms were created by some supernatural power.
 These forms were designed according to their surroundings.
 Existed unchanged from the time they were formed.

Spontaneous Generation Theory/Abiogenesis Theory

 Proposed by Aristotle and Anaximander
 Life originated from non-living material
 Insects arose from dew, frogs and toads form muddy bottom ponds, butterflies from
cheese
 Van Helmont stated: young mice could arise form wheat grains
 Experimentally rejected by some scientists

Biogenesis Theory
 Life originated from other life or pre-existing life
 Supported by:
a. Francisco Redi – made an experiment using meat, jar and cheesecloth.
b. Louis Pasteur – performed the “Swan-neck Flask” experiment. Used yeast and
sugar solution.
c. Lazaro Spallanzani – proved that microorganisms could be killed by boiling.

Cosmozoic Theory or Theory of Panspermia

 Proposed by Lord Kelvin
 Life originated from other planets or elsewhere from other parts of the universe.

Primieval Sea Hypothesis or Theory of Chemical Evolution

 Proposed by Alexander I. Oparin (Russian) and John B.S Haldane (British) complex
molecule that served as the pre-cursor of life
 Supported by Stanley Miller and Harold Urey: proved this theory using an
experiment
 Life originated in bodies of water by chemical evolution
 Spontaneous generation of life in primitive atmosphere
 High temperature, lightening and solar radiations provided energy required for
chemical reactions
 First living beings arose from simple inorganic and organic compounds
 Four-stage hypothesis has been proposed to support this theory:
o Abiotic synthesis of small organic molecules like amino acids and
nucleotides
o Plenty of energy available used in joining small molecules into polymers
o Proteins and nucleic acids that are self-replicating molecules arise: basis for
inheritance
o Packaging into “protobionts” through self-assembly of lipids into bilayers in
aqueous environment
The cellular basis of Life

The systematic study of the cellular basis of life was started when Robert Hooke first observed tiny
compartments in a sliced piece of cork from a mature tree. He gave them the Latin name cellulae
(meaning small rooms) hence the origin of the biological term cell. The zoologist Theodor Schwann
reported the presence of cells in animal tissues. Mathias Schlaiden concluded that cells are present in all
plant tissues.

Then these observations came to be known as the first two principles of the cell theory.

The cell theory states that:

1. All living things are structurally made up of cells.

2. The cell is the fundamental unit of organizations for all organisms.
3. Cells come from the division of preexisting cells. Not only was cell viewed as the smallest living
unit, the continuity of life was now seen to be arising directly from the division and growth of
single cells.

Some contributors to the cell theory:

A. Anton van Leewenhock

 Father of microscopy
 He discovered microscopic organisms such as bacteria, protists, nematodes as wellas
sperm cells and blood cells
B. Robert Hooke
 Studied a cork
 Discovered dead cells under the microscope
C. Mathias Scleiden
 A botanist, concluded that all plants are made up of cell
D. Theodore Schwann
 A zoologist, conclude that all animals are made up of cell
E. Rudolf Virchow
 Conclude that all cells arise from pre-existing
F. Robert Brown
 Discovered the presence of nuclei within cells.

Prepared by; Mohamed M. Solaiman, LPT