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BIG IDEAS

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BIG IDEA #1 BIG IDEA #1 • The process of evolution drives the

diversity and unity of life.ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS• 1A – Change in the genetic makeup

of a population over time is evolution.• 1B – Organisms are linked by lines of

descent from common ancestry.• 1C – Life continues to evolve within a

changing environment.• 1D – The origin of living systems is

explained by natural processes.

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Natural Natural selectionselection

• Evolutionary change is a product of the process of natural selection

Organisms don’t adapt;

Organisms have adaptations.

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Evolution explains unity Evolution explains unity & diversity& diversity

• Unityo what do organisms have in common & why do similarities exist?

• common biochemistry & physiologyo evolutionary relationshipso connected through common ancestor

• Diversityo but why are there

differences?• natural selection• adaptations allow different

individuals to survive in different environments

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"Nothing in biology "Nothing in biology makes sense except makes sense except

in the light of in the light of evolution."evolution."

-- Theodosius DobzhanskyMarch 1973

Geneticist, Columbia University(1900-1975)

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BIG IDEA #2BIG IDEA #2• Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building

blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.

ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS• 2A – Growth, reproduction and maintenance of the organization

of living systems require free energy and matter.• 2B – Growth, reproduction and dynamic homeostasis require

that cells create and maintain internal environments that are different from their external environments.

• 2C – Organisms use feedback mechanisms to regulate growth and reproduction, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.

• 2D – Growth and dynamic homeostasis of a biological system are influenced by changes in the system’s environment.

• 2E – Many biological processes involved in growth, reproduction and dynamic homeostasis include temporal regulation and coordination.

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Energy Energy transfertransfer

• Life is an open systemo need input of energy

• energy flows througho energy is captured and

stored in molecules via photosynthesis

o energy is released as heat and through cellular respiration

o need input of materials• nutrients are recycled

ENTROPY RULES!DECOMPOSERS

RULE, too!

nutrients

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Energy utilizationEnergy utilization

You think they’re eating…

They’re harvestingenergy!

HomeostasisGrowth

Reproduction

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Form follows functionForm follows function• The alignment of structure & function is seen

at all levels of biology

organism

cell organelle

organ

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MembranesMembranes• Membranes separate the internal from external

AND compartmentalize the internal environment.

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Regulation Regulation • Organisms need to maintain a “steady

state” in the face of changing conditions o maintain homeostasiso achieve this through feedback

• monitor the body like a thermostat• turn on when it’s needed, off when its not

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Complex InteractionsComplex Interactions• From cells to ecosystems – all life is influenced by

biotic and abiotic factors.o Life is universal

• common biochemistry & physiologyo Photosynthesis, Cellular Respirationo Feedback loops

o Life is diverse • natural selection• adaptations allow different individuals to survive in different

environments

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TimingTiming• All life follows a tempo

o There is a specific sequence of timing and coordination that allows for life to develop, grow and reproduce.

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BIG IDEA #3BIG IDEA #3• Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to

information essential to life processes.ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS• 3A – Heritable information provides for continuity of life.• 3B – Expression of genetic information involves cellular

and molecular mechanisms.• 3C – The processing of genetic information is imperfect

and is a source of genetic variation.• 3D – Cells communicate by generating, transmitting

and receiving chemical signals.• 3E – Transmission of information results in changes

within and between biological systems.

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Continuity & changeContinuity & change• Continuity of life is based on heritable

information in the form of DNAo DNA – the genetic

material – carries biological information from one generation to the next

You can make more,a lot like you!

TRAIT

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CommunicationCommunication

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BIG IDEA #4BIG IDEA #4

• Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.

ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS• 4A – Interactions within biological systems lead

to complex properties.• 4B – Competition and cooperation are important

aspects of biological systems.• 4C – Naturally occurring diversity among and

between components within biological systems affects interactions with the environment.

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OrganizationOrganization• Molecular Level

o Monomers Polymers

• Cellular Levelo Nucleus, ribosomes, ER, Golgi App…

• Organism Levelo Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ System

• Ecological Levelo Organism (individual), population,

community, ecosystem

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Interdependence Interdependence • All parts of the whole are interdependent

o Cell needs organelles…o Polymers needs monomers…o Populations need other populations in a community…

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Organizing systemsOrganizing systems• Making sense out of the diversity• Hierarchical

scheme

Eastern gray squirrelSciurus carolinensis

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