Scribd
Upload
16 views

lec 1

This document outlines the basic characteristics of life, including organization, energy acquisition, homeostasis, response to stimuli, reproduction, and development. It also describes the levels of biological organization from atoms to ecosystems and introduces the main branches of biology such as anatomy, physiology, and genetics. Additionally, it classifies living organisms into domains and kingdoms, emphasizing the relationship between humans and other animals.

Uploaded by

vxc874znww
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
16 views

lec 1

This document outlines the basic characteristics of life, including organization, energy acquisition, homeostasis, response to stimuli, reproduction, and development. It also describes the levels of biological organization from atoms to ecosystems and introduces the main branches of biology such as anatomy, physiology, and genetics. Additionally, it classifies living organisms into domains and kingdoms, emphasizing the relationship between humans and other animals.

Uploaded by

vxc874znww
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 18

Medical Biology First stage

Lec 1: Characteristic of life

By

Dr. Sara Salih Hassan


The Characteristics of Life

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this section, you should be able to

1. Explain the basic characteristics that are common to all living organisms.

2. Describe the levels of organization of life.

3. Summarize how the terms homeostasis, metabolism, development, and adaptation all relate

to living organisms
• The science of biology is the study of living
organisms and their environments. It covers all
aspect of the study of living creatures like
occurrence, classification, ecology,economic
importance, organization, internal structure,
nutrition, health and other body functions,
reproduction, life history, inheritance and origin.
The term biology is often replaced by the term
life sciences or biological sciences.
Main Branches Of Biology
1. Anatomy: It is the study of internal structure which
can be observed with unaided eye after dissection

2. Histology: It is the study of tissue organization and


structure as observed through light microscope.

3. Cytology : It is the study of form and structure of


cells including the behavior of nucleus and other
organelles.

4. Molecular Biology : It is the study of the nature,


physicochemical organization, synthesis working and
interaction of bio-molecules that bring about and
control various activities of the protoplasm.
Main branches of Biology
5. Physiology : It is the study of different types of body functions and processes.
6. Embryology: It is the study of fertilization, growth, division and
differentiation of the zygote into embryo or early development of living beings
before the attainment of structure and size of the offspring.
7. Genetics : It is the study of inheritance of characters or heredity and
variations. Heredity is the study of expression and transmission of traits from
parents to offspring.
8. Virology : It is the study of viruses in all their aspects.
All living organisms share several basic characteristics.
1- organized,
2- acquire materials and energy,
3- homeostatic,
4- respond to stimuli,
5- reproduce and grow,
6- have an evolutionary history.
1- Life is Organized
 Atoms and Molecules: At the most basic level, atoms
combine to form molecules. These molecules are the building
blocks of cells, which are the smallest structural and functional
units of life.

 Cells: Cells can be single-celled organisms, like bacteria, or


multicellular, as seen in humans. Each type of cell has a
specific function; for example, nerve cells are specialized for
conducting nerve impulses.

Tissues: When similar cells group together to perform a


specific function, they form a tissue. Nervous tissue, for
instance, consists of millions of nerve cells that transmit signals
throughout the body.
Organs and Organ Systems: Several types of tissues
come together to create an organ. Each organ is part of
an organ system, where different organs work
collaboratively to achieve a common purpose. For
example, the brain and spinal cord function together to
send commands via nerves.
Organisms: An organism, like a human or a tree, is
made up of various organ systems working in
harmony.
Populations and Communities: Moving beyond
individual organisms, we find populations, which are
groups of interbreeding organisms of the same species
in a specific area. For instance, a tropical grassland
may host populations of zebras, acacia trees, and
humans.
Ecosystems and the Biosphere: These populations
interact with one another and their physical
environment to form a community. The community
and its environment together create an ecosystem.
Finally, all ecosystems on Earth make up the
biosphere.
2- Organisms Acquire Materials and Energy
Humans, like all living organisms, require external sources of materials and energy to

maintain their organization and perform life activities. This is primarily achieved

through the consumption of food, which provides nutrient molecules used for

building cellular structures and generating energy.

Energy is essential for maintaining cellular organization and carrying out various

functions.

 The term "metabolism" refers to the totality of chemical reactions occurring within

a cell, including the breakdown of nutrients for energy and the conversion of that

energy into new cellular components. The sun serves as the ultimate energy source

for most life on Earth.

 Through photosynthesis, plants, algae, and some bacteria convert solar energy into

chemical energy, producing organic molecules like sugars that form the foundation

of the food chain for many organisms, including humans and other animals.
3- Organisms Maintain Homeostasis
• Homeostasis is the process by which cells and
organisms maintain a stable internal environment
within specific conditions. In humans, various
organ systems work together to regulate factors
like body temperature, which typically ranges
between 36.5 and 37.5°C (97.7 and 99.5°F)
throughout the day. Body temperature can
fluctuate based on activity levels and is influenced
by external temperatures.
4- Living Organisms Respond

• Homeostasis would be impossible without the body’s ability to respond to stimuli.


Response to external stimuli is more apparent to us, because it involves movement, as
when we quickly remove a hand from a hot stove. Certain sensory receptors also
detect a change in the internal environment, and then the central nervous system
brings about an appropriate response. All life responds to external stimuli, often by
moving toward or away from a stimulus, such as the sight of food.
5- Living Organisms Reproduce and Develop
• Reproduction is a fundamental characteristic of life. Cells come into being
only from preexisting cells, and all living organisms have parents. When
organisms reproduce, they pass on their genetic information to the next
generation. Following the fertilization of an egg by a sperm cell, the resulting
zygote undergoes a rapid period of growth and development. This is common
in most forms of life.
• Growth, recognized by an increase in size and often in the number of cells, is a
part of development. In multicellular organisms, such as humans, the term
development is used to indicate all the changes that occur from the time the egg
is fertilized until death. Therefore, it includes all the changes that occur during
childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Development also includes the repair
that takes place following an injury.
Humans Are Related to Other Animals
• Biologists classify living things as belonging to one of three domains

 Bacteria,
 Archea ,
 Eukarya
• Domain bacteria and domain archaea, contain prokaryotes, one-celled organisms that lack a
nucleus. Organisms in the third domain, Eukarya, are classified as being members of one of four
kingdoms

 plants,
 fungi,
 animals,
 and protists.
• Most organisms in kingdom Animalia are invertebrates, such as the earthworm, insects, and
mollusks. Vertebrates are animals that have a nerve cord protected by a vertebral column,
which gives them their name. Fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds are all vertebrates.
Vertebrates with hair or fur and mammary glands are classified as mammals. Humans,
raccoons, seals, and meerkats are examples of mammals.

You might also like