The Living Environment

THE STUDY OF LIFE

2010-01-25T06:24:00.000-08:00

WHAT IS LIFE?

That itself is a philosophical question and can only be responded through philosophical explanations, which is subjected to the experience of the person explaining it. However, what you will learn in this presentation are the characteristics of living things, in other words, we will engage in discussions on what all living things have in common.

Since this course pursues the studies of living things, which includes their structures, their behavior with the living and the non-living environment and their modes of reproduction, we are entrenching in the science of biology, with the prefix "bio" meaning life and the suffix "logy" meaning the study of. We are therefore engaging in the study of life.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE? OR WHAT DO ALL LIVING THINGS HAVE IN COMMON?

Most people feel confident that they can tell the difference between the living and the nonliving, however, sometimes it is not so clear. In identifying living things you might ask, "Does it move? Does it grow? Does it reproduce?" These are all excellent questions, but consider a flame. A flame can move, it can grow and it can reproduce more flames. Are flames alive?

Anything that possesses the characteristics of life is called an organism. An organism is anything that is living, for example, humans, dogs, cats, bacteria, trees etc..

In order to determine if something is living or nonliving, there is a checklist that you must go through. Living things satisfy all of the conditions of this checklist.

CHECKLIST for CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE.

Organization
Reproduction
Growth
Development
Adjust to their surroundings
Living things adapt and evolve
Living thing are made of cells

Organization, which refers to an orderly structure present in all livings. This manifest in their ability to efficiently copy their genetic information and reproduce themselves.

Reproduction refers to the ability of the organism to make an offspring or a baby.

Growth refers to the ability of living things to accumulate living materials or get bigger.

Development refers to all of the changes in the life of the organism, which include growth, attaining maturity etc..

Adjust to their surroundings refers to the need of organisms to maintain a balance of internal environment. For example, when you go outside on a cold day, even though you're cold on the outside, your body stays the same temperature on the inside. As changes occur inside or outside of the organism, the organism is able to respond in ways that maintain this stability.

Living things adapt and evolve, this refers to any structural, behavioral, or internal processes that enables the organism to survive the changes in the environment.

Living things are made of cell(s) One way to determine if something is living is decide as to whether that thing is made of cells. Because this a characteristic that is only shared by living things, the presence of cell(s) is a definite indicator. We can find out if something has cells by looking at it under a microscope.

Are rocks living or nonliving?

Are rocks made of cells?
Do rocks have organization?
Do rocks reproduce?
Do rocks growth?
Do rocks undergo development?
Do rocks adjust to their surroundings?
Do rocks adapt and evolve?

If the answer is yes to all of these questions, then the answer is yes rock is alive.

If the answer is no for one or more of these questions, then the answer is no; rock is not alive.

VOCABULARY

Organism any living thing
Biology the study of life
Stimulus any condition in the environment that requires the organism to adjust, for example, when you are hot, you sweat, when you are cold, your body shivers etc..
Response is a reaction to a stimulus, the sweating and the shivering are responses to the organism's environment.
Species a group of organism that can mate to have babies and these babies are able to mate and make more babies
Energy is the ability to work
Evolution is the gradual build up of adaptation overtime.
Homeostasis is internal processes that maintain stability inside an organism.

List one characteristic of living things that is not found in nonliving things.

If you say cell(s), you are correct because only living things are made of cells.

REFLECTION:

Give example of an organism
List two fields study by biologists
When you increase your physical activity, your heart rate increases. Identify the stimulus and the response.
Are cat and dogs the same species? Explain.
How do we get our energy?
How is adaptation different from evolution?
What do living things need?

THINK: Are horses and donkeys the same species?

Identify the following as living or nonliving:

bacteria ________________
plants _________________
cats ___________________
birds __________________
volcano ________________
sand ___________________
fire ____________________

Do living things depend on nonliving things?

The answer to this question is yes. Living things depend on temperature, the sun, oxygen and water etc.. for their survival.

WHAT NONLIVING THING IS MOST IMPORTANT TO HUMANS?

The digestive System

2010-01-13T04:05:00.000-08:00

The digestive system breaks down the food into a form that the cells can use. The digestive system must digest the food so that the food can be small enough to diffuse through the cells of the digestive system into the blood. To learn more click on this link: DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

CLICK THIS VIDEO DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

THE URINARY SYSTEM

2010-01-13T03:27:00.000-08:00

The purpose of the urinary system is to remove waste product from the blood. The main organs of the urinary system are: the kidneys, which filter the blood, the ureters, which are two tubes that connect the kidneys to the urinary bladder, the urinary bladder, which stores the urine until it is ready to be expelled from the body and the urethra, which is a tube that carries the urine outside of the body.

TO LEARN MORE, CLICK THIS VIDEO. URINARY SYSTEM VIDEO

The Circulatory System

2010-01-12T04:08:00.000-08:00

The job of the circulatory system is to carry oxygen, nutrients and other things that are needed by the cells to the cells and carry waste products away from the cells. To learn more, click on the following link:

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

Quiz

What is the function of the circulatory system?
List the organs of the circulatory system
How does this system works together with the digestive system in promoting homeostasis?

Check these animations. VIDEO OF CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

CHECK THIS VIDEO: VIDEO ANIMATION

The Respiratory System

2010-01-11T05:05:00.000-08:00

The purpose of the respiratory system is to supply the blood with oxygen so that the blood can deliver the oxygen to all of the cells in the body and provide an exit path for carbon dioxide to leave the body. As you know, oxygen is required in a cellular process called respiration. This process converts glucose into a form of energy that can be used by the cell called ATP. To learn more, Click on this link: RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Quiz

What is the purpose of the respiratory system?
List the organs of the respiratory system.
How does the respiratory system work together with the circulatory system in promoting homeostasis?

Check this video: VIDEO ANIMATION

The Endocrine System

2010-01-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

Your body functions are controlled by two systems, the nervous system and the endocrine system. The nervous system consists of the brain, the brain stem, the spinal chord, and the nerves. This system use nerve impulses or electrical signal to exert its influence on the body. The action of this system is fast, but short lasting. The endocrine system consist of hormones and glands that control body activity. The effect of the endocrine system is slow but long lasting.

Puberty is a time in a young person's life where the action of the endocrine gland is most visible. For example, the hormone testosterone is responsible for most of the visible changes that occur in boys, such as deepening of the voice, facial hair, enlargement of sexual organs ect. As for girls, some of the changes that occur are development of the breast, menstrual cycle etc. To further enhance your understanding of the endocrine system works, click the following link. Endocrine System

Check this video animation: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Check out these videos of human body systems: BODY SYSTEMS

The Nervous System and the endocrine system

2010-01-05T05:01:00.000-08:00

The nervous system consists of the brain, the nerves and the spinal chord. This system works with the endocrine system to control all body activities. To learn more, click the links that follow.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

Endocrine System

Genetic Engineering

2009-12-14T11:36:00.000-08:00

Genetic engineering involves removing a gene from one organism and placing it into another. For instance, some bacteria have a circular ring of DNA called "plasmid". This plasmid is not necessary for their survival. Scientists can remove the plasmid using genetic engineering technique, cut the plasmid, insert a human gene for insulin into the plasmid and return the plasmid back into the bacteria. Now that the bacteria has the gene for human insulin. It can make insulin. Additionally, every time the bacteria divides, it passes the new gene to its offspring. This organism is can also be modified to produce growth hormone. In agriculture, plants are engineered to resist frost. In sanitation, bacteria are engineered to break down waste.

List three ways that we benefit from genetic engineering
What are transgenic organisms?
What is the purpose of inserting a human gene into bacteria?

To check your understanding, click on this link and answer problem # 12

GENETIC ENGINEERING

CHECK THIS ANIMATION. Genetic Engineering

DNA Technology

2009-12-13T11:31:00.000-08:00

Restriction enzymes are bacteria enzymes that cut double stranded DNA at specific base sequence. These enzymes are the cutting tool in genetics. To further enhance your understanding of how these enzymes work, click on the provided link.

Gel electrophoresis separates molecules based on their size and charge.

Gel electrophorosis Click on link for animation.

For further understanding,click this link. GEL ANIMATION

Build a DNA molecule or DNA replication

2009-12-09T06:10:00.000-08:00

DNA is copied or replicated during preparation for cell division, either mitosis or meiosis. The bases are paired as follows: adenine with thymine, cytosine with guanine. To build a model of the DNA, click this link:
Build a DNA Molecule

Click on DNA replication

THINK:

Any error that occurs during DNA replication is called __________ ?

Why must the DNA replicate?

Where do you find DNA inside the cell?

Click this link and answer question # 10 Problem # 10

DNA Structure

2009-12-08T06:12:00.000-08:00

The DNA is the master molecule that contains all of your heredity information. This molecule has a helical shape. It is shaped like a twisted ladder. For further enlightment, click the following link. DNA STRUCTURE

Quiz

What are the subunits of DNA?
List the parts of the nucleotides.
Identify the sugar found on DNA.
What is the difference between a gene and a chromosome?
Identify the two types of cell division.
How are cells produced by mitosis different from cells produced by meiosis?
What is the advantage of sexual reproduction?
A ____________ is any permanent change on the DNA.
How do the bases pair during replication?

DNA Replication (DNA copies itself)

2009-12-07T03:42:00.000-08:00

The duplication of the genetic information is necessary when the cell is replicating itself. This step provides the new cell the instructions on how to maintain homeostasis and how to replace itself. This cellular process takes place inside the nucleus. To further enhance your understanding, click the following link: DNA REPLICATION ANIMATION

Transcription (from DNA to RNA)

2009-12-06T04:24:00.000-08:00

The DNA molecule is too precious to be allowed to leave the nucleus because it can be attacked by nucleases or enzymes that break down nucleic acids DNA or RNA. Instead, the DNA makes a copy of the gene it wants to express. This copy is called mRNA. It is the mRNA that leaves the nucleus and carries the message to the protein factory of the cell called "ribosome". To see an animation of this process, click this link: TRANSCRIPTION

QUIZ

List three ways that DNA is different from RNA.
Where do you find DNA inside the cell?
Where do you find RNA inside the cell?
Why is it necessary for the DNA to make an RNA copy?
How does the ribosome work together with the nucleus in promoting homeostasis?
How does the cell membrane work together with the ribosome in promoting homeostasis of the cell?
How do the bases pair during transcription?

DNA Translation (genes to proteins)

2009-12-03T04:08:00.000-08:00

DNA contains is information about your traits that is expressed in proteins. As you know, proteins are the functional molecules of the cell. They function as enzymes, storage, transport, structural and in communication. When the DNA wants to express one of its genes, it makes a copy of that gene called the mRNA. It is the mRNA that carries the genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosome, where it is translated or converted into an amino acid sequence/protein. To learn more, click on the following links.

TRANSLATION ANIMATION

What is translation?
Where does translation occur?

Protein Synthesis Animation

2009-12-02T03:54:00.000-08:00

Information contained on the DNA is information about your traits, which is expressed in proteins. In short, the information on the DNA is information on how to make your proteins and also information for the DNA to replicate itself. To see an animation of how DNA is converted into protein, click this link. PROTEIN SYNTHESIS To check your understanding, answer #8on the following link # 8

The function of most proteins depends primarily on the type and order of amino acids.

THINK:

Identify the protein that is involved in starch digestion?
What proteins are necessary to assist in all biological reactions?
Can you identify the protein factory of the cell?
What are the subunits of proteins?
What is the role of the tRNA in protein synthesis?
WHAT PROTEINS ARE FOUND ON THE CELL MEMBRANE AND USED FOR COMMUNICATION?
Create a mutation in the following piece of DNA that will be of no consequence to the organism.
TAC TGG TTA ACA CCA ATT

Cell Division

2009-10-27T04:06:00.000-07:00

Mitosis is a cell division process that produces two daughter cells that are identical in chromosome number and in chromosome combination. For example, if a cell has 4 chromosomes and divides by mitosis, it will produce two daughter cells each having 4 chromosomes. This type of cell division is used as a form of reproduction for single cell organisms. However,most multicellular organisms use this type of cell division for growth, repair and to replace cells that have died. To further enhance your understanding of this cellular process, click on the following link. MITOSIS ANIMATION Note: Cancer is uncontrollable mitosis.

Meiosis is a cell division process that produces 4 daughter cells that are not identical. Meiosis is the cell division that produces the gametes or sex cells. The sperm is the male sex cell and the egg is the female sex cell. Cells that are produced by meiosis are not identical in chromosomes combination and have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. For example, humans have 46 chromosomes; our sex cells, each have 23 chromosomes. Fertilization or the union of the sperm and the egg restores the number of chromosomes to 46. For further elaboration of this process, clink on the following link.

MEIOSIS ANIMATION

MEIOSIS ANIMATION2

Mitosis vs Meiosis

Karyotype

2009-10-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

Karyotype is a technique used to detect chromosomal abnormalities. To carry out this process, the cell cycle is arrested or stopped during mitosis when the chromosomes are coiled and visible. Karyotyping separates and aligns chromosomes by matching pairs. This facilitates the identification of any inconsistency. Diseases like Down Syndrome and other chromosomal diseases can be detected using this procedure. To learn more, click on the following links.

Click Karyotype Activity

List two diseases that can be diagnosed using this procedure. (Hint: look up chromosomal diseases)

Evolution

2009-09-07T04:41:00.000-07:00

Evolution is the theory that stipulates that life began as a single cell. Over time, with the struggle to survive the environment, organisms changed to the multitude of life forms that exist today. The mechanisms responsible for driving the evolutionary process are mutations, which are permanent changes in the organism's genetic code and sexual reproduction. One important thing to remember, in order for the organism to evolve, it must first survive or be selected. It must have some favorable traits that allow it to survive changes in its surrounding. To learn more about the theory of evolution, go to the following links.

EVOLUTION

EVOLUTION2

ADAPTATION

Quiz

What are the mechanisms that drive the evolutionary process?
How does adaptation leads to evolution?
What happens when an organism fails to adapt?
Explain Darwin's proposed explanation for Natural Selection.

Competition and Natural Selection

2009-09-07T03:33:00.000-07:00

In nature, organisms tend to overproduce. In a given population, there is always variations among individuals. During competition, organisms that have favorable traits for this task will survive and are said to be selected. These organisms will reproduce and pass on those traits to their offspring. Thus, the frequency of organisms with those traits will increase. Note: only the offspring or organisms that survive will eventually evolve. To learn more, go to the following link.

COMPETITION AND NATURAL SELECTION

NATURAL SELECTION

Darwin's Proposed Explanation of Natural Selection

In Nature, organisms produce more offspring than can survive.
In any population, individuals have variations.
Individuals with favorable variations survive, reproduce and pass on those traits
Overtime, offspring with certain variations make up most of the population and may look entirely different from their ancestors.

To check your understanding of Darwin's explanation, go to this link and problem #12

Darwin's Theory

HEREDITY

2009-09-07T03:32:00.000-07:00

Heredity is the passing of traits ( genes) from parents to offspring. For example, your eye color, your hair texture and your height are traits or characteristics that you inherit or receive from your mom and your dad. To read more, click this link. HEREDITY

To further your understanding on how traits are inherited, click this link.
MENDELIAN GENETICS

Living Environment Glossary

2008-01-03T05:46:00.000-08:00

This glossary contains a list of vocabulary words that are required for the living environment regents

GLOSSARY

Look up the following words:

antibodies, antibiotic, antigens, pathogens, vaccines

The Food Chain and The Food Web

2007-12-20T11:38:00.000-08:00

Energy for our planet comes from the sun. Only plants and other photosynthetic organisms can convert solar energy into food for animals. The food chain and the food web show how energy moves through the ecosystem. The food chain shows one path for energy to flow. The food web shows more interactions and the food web is continuous. To learn more, visit the following links.

FOOD CHAIN/FOOD WEB1

FOOD CHAIN/FOOD WEB2

FOOD CHAIN/FOOD WEB3

Quiz

1-What does the arrow represent in food the chain/web?

2-Why are plants at the bottom of the food of the food pyramid?

3-What happens to energy as it moves through the ecosystem?_____ Explain.

4- What happens when you remove one organism from the ecosystem?

5- How are autotrophs different from heterotrophs?

6- What role do decomposers play in the ecosystem?

Nuclear Power Plants, Pros and Cons

2007-12-19T04:39:00.000-08:00

With global warming threatening the stability of our planet, the use of nuclear power plants seems to be an attractive alternative. To learn more about the pros and cons in using nuclear energy, click on the following links:

NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS, PROS AND CONS

NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS(SOVIET UNION)

Quiz

List two advantages of using nuclear power plants.
List two disadvantages of using nuclear power plants.

The Immune System

2007-12-19T03:33:00.000-08:00

The immune system protects the body from bacteria, viruses and other foreign invaders. To learn more, click this link.

IMMUNE SYSTEM

IMMUNE SYSTEM2

THINK

List five ways your body can react when it comes in contact with pathogens. (The answer is in the "Cheat Sheet".)

Acid Rain

2007-12-18T05:23:00.000-08:00

ACID RAIN

Acid rain is any precipitation with unusually high acidity. This acid precipitation is due to the release of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide by factories burning fossil fuels. Acid rain damages buildings, kills plants and aquatic organisms. To find out more, click on the link above.

What is the cause of acid rain?
What can students do to minimize acid rain?
List some consequences of acid rain.

Test Taking Skills and Study Tips

2007-12-14T11:28:00.000-08:00

Students can improve their test scores by 15% by using the the proper test taking skills. Also, students who use good study techniques will be better prepared for their exams. For tips on how to improve your test taking skills and study tips, click on this link. TEST TAKING TIPS AND STUDY SKILLS

Quiz

List three things that you can do to improve your test score on multiple choice exams
List three note taking skills
List three study skills

Websites for Regent Review (all subject areas)

2007-12-14T09:08:00.000-08:00

Edusolution This site features NYS regent reviews. It has full length regents and the answer keys. Additionally, it has interactive quizzes, which allow you to see the correct answers at a click of a button.

STATE ASSESSMENT This site also features full length regents in all subject areas and the answer keys.

Animations of Different cellular Processes

2007-12-14T04:42:00.000-08:00

This link is an excellent educational tool, designed to help you understand multiple cellular processes such as diffusion, osmosis, how enzymes works, receptors, sodium potassium pump, comparison of mitosis and meiosis and others. Each presentation is followed by a short quiz that will test your knowledge. Indulge yourself by clicking on the following link.

CELLULAR PROCESSES

The Female Reproductive System

2007-12-13T04:43:00.000-08:00

The purpose of the female reproductive system is to produce a female gamete or egg and provides a safe nutrient rich environment for the zygote or fertilized egg to grow. Eggs are produced in the ovaries. During ovulation or when the egg is released from ovary, the egg travels through a tube called the oviduct or fallopian tube which connects the ovaries to the uterus. The oviduct or fallopian tube is also the site of fertilization (union of sperm and egg). After fertilization, the new cell migrates to the uterus where it remains for the gestation period. (humans 9 months)

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM ANIMATION

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Quiz

What is the purpose of the female reproductive system?
Where are eggs produced?
Where does fertilization take place?
In what structure does development and specialization take place?

The Male Reproductive System

2007-12-13T04:20:00.000-08:00

The purpose of the male reproductive system is to make and deliver a male gamete or sperm to the female reproductive system. Sperms are produced in a structure called the seminiferous tubules which is located in the testes and than migrate to the epididymis (also located in the testes) where they are stored and attain maturation. During ejaculation, the sperms leave the epididymis and proceed into the vas deferens. While traveling through the vas deferens, the sperms pick up secretion from three sexual glands. The prostate gland provides an alkaline or basic fluid which help neutralize the acid in the vagina. The seminal vesicle provides a fluid that is rich in fructose, which will serve as energy source for the sperm, and the bulbourethral gland provides another fluid which works as a neutralizing agent for the acidic environment of the vagina.

MALE REPRODUCTION

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Genetic Engineering

2007-12-12T05:07:00.000-08:00

Restriction Enzymes are bacteria enzymes that cut double stranded DNA at specific base sequences.

DNA and Other Related Stuffs

2007-11-30T09:13:00.000-08:00

Check out these websites!

Restriction enzymes

Origin of Life

2007-11-29T05:48:00.000-08:00

Mutations and sexual reproduction are the driving forces for evolution!

The Cell

2005-01-02T11:41:00.000-08:00

All living things are made of cells.

The cell is the basic unit of an organism. There are two types of cells, prokaryote and eukaryote.

Prokaryote cells are cells without membrane bound structures, or organelles, for example bacteria. All other cells are eukaryote. Eukaryote cells are cells with membrane bound structures, or organelles, example, plant and animal cell. To learn more about cells, click on this link.

Click this link: THE CELL

Quiz

___________ controls all activities in the cell

____________ is the protein factory of the cell

_____________ is the site of photosynthesis

______________ is the site of cell respiration

_______________ controls what goes in and out of the cell

_______________ is used for storage

_______________ has digestive enzymes that break down things

The movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration is called _________________

The movement of particles from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration is called _____________________ and it requires energy (ATP)

THE CELL MOVIE