crumb/openstax-text · Datasets at Hugging Face

text stringlengths 0 189
22.4, 23.1, 46.1, 47.1, 47.3
Enduring understanding 4.C. Naturally occurring diversity among and
between components within biological systems affects interactions with
the environment.
Chapter/Key Concepts
4.C.1. Variation in molecular units provides cells with a wider range of
functions.
3.4, 9.2, 10.3, 13.1, 15.5, 42.2, 49.1
4.C.2. Environmental factors influence the expression of the genotype in
an organism.
14.2, 19.3, 22.3, 30.4, 43.1
4.C.3. The level of variation in a population affects population dynamics.
7.5, 7.6, 19.1, 45.6, 47.1
Preface
7

Big Idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions
possess complex properties.
4.C.4. The diversity of species within an ecosystem may influence the
stability of the ecosystem.
45.6, 46.1
8
Preface
This OpenStax book is available for free at http://cnx.org/content/col12078/1.6

1 \| THE STUDY OF LIFE
Figure 1.1 This NASA image is a composite of several satellite-based views of Earth. To make the whole-Earth image,
NASA scientists combine observations of different parts of the planet. (credit: NASA/GSFC/NOAA/USGS)
Chapter Outline
1.1: The Science of Biology
1.2: Themes and Concepts of Biology
Introduction
Viewed from space, Earth offers no clues about the diversity of life it harbors. The first forms of life on Earth are thought
be microorganisms that existed for billions of years in the ocean before plants and animals appeared. The mammals, birds,
and flowers that we see in modern times are mostly “recent” species, originating 130 to 200 million years ago. In fact, only
in the last 200,000 years have humans started looking like we do today.
Organisms evolve in response to each other. One of the best examples is disease causing organisms, which have to adapt
to overcome the defenses of the organisms they infect. One such organism that has evolved to specialize in infection in
humans is Plasmodium, the organism that causes malaria. Biologists use the process of science to learn about the world and
the organisms living in it. For example, people have suspected for quite some time that people with blood type O are less
likely to die from severe malaria. Now, a team of scientists have been able to explain why. By examining data from several
experiments, and by using both inductive and deductive reasoning, the scientists concluded that A and B type blood reacts
with a protein excreted by Plasmodium. This reaction causes severe illness. However, type O blood does not react with
the protein. You can read more (http://openstaxcollege.org/l/32plasmodium) about the response of type A and B blood
groups to infection by Plasmodium.
1.1 \| The Science of Biology
In this section, you will explore the following questions:
•
What are the characteristics shared by the natural sciences?
•
What are the steps of the scientific method?
Chapter 1 \| The Study of Life
9

Connection for AP® courses
Biology is the science that studies living organisms and their interactions with one another and with their environment. The
process of science attempts to describe and understand the nature of the universe by rational means. Science has many fields;
those fields related to the physical world, including biology, are considered natural sciences. All of the natural sciences
follow the laws of chemistry and physics. For example, when studying biology, you must remember living organisms obey
the laws of thermodynamics while using free energy and matter from the environment to carry out life processes that are
explored in later chapters, such as metabolism and reproduction.
Two types of logical reasoning are used in science: inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning
uses particular results to produce general scientific principles. Deductive reasoning uses logical thinking to predict results
by applying scientific principles or practices. The scientific method is a step-by-step process that consists of: making
observations, defining a problem, posing hypotheses, testing these hypotheses by designing and conducting investigations,
and drawing conclusions from data and results. Scientists then communicate their results to the scientific community.
Scientific theories are subject to revision as new information is collected.
The content presented in this section supports the Learning Objectives outlined in Big Idea 2 of the AP® Biology
Curriculum Framework. The Learning Objectives merge Essential Knowledge content with one or more of the seven
Science Practices. These objectives provide a transparent foundation for the AP® Biology course, along with inquiry-based
laboratory experiences, instructional activities, and AP® Exam questions.
Big Idea 2
Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to
reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.
Enduring
Understanding 2.A
Growth, reproduction and maintenance of living systems require free energy and matter.
Essential
Knowledge
2.A.1 All living systems require constant input of free energy.
Science Practice
6.4 The student can make claims and predictions about natural phenomena based on
scientific theories and models
Learning
Objectives
2.3 The student is able to predict how changes in free energy availability affect
organisms, populations and ecosystems.
(a)
(b)
Figure 1.2 Formerly called blue-green algae, these (a) cyanobacteria, shown here at 300x magnification under a light
microscope, are some of Earth’s oldest life forms. These (b) stromatolites along the shores of Lake Thetis in Western
Australia are ancient structures formed by the layering of cyanobacteria in shallow waters. (credit a: modification of
work by NASA; credit b: modification of work by Ruth Ellison; scale-bar data from Matt Russell)
What is biology? In simple terms, biology is the study of living organisms and their interactions with one another and their
environments. This is a very broad definition because the scope of biology is vast. Biologists may study anything from
the microscopic or submicroscopic view of a cell to ecosystems and the whole living planet (Figure 1.2). Listening to the
daily news, you will quickly realize how many aspects of biology are discussed every day. For example, recent news topics
10
Chapter 1 \| The Study of Life
This OpenStax book is available for free at http://cnx.org/content/col12078/1.6

22.4, 23.1, 46.1, 47.1, 47.3

Enduring understanding 4.C. Naturally occurring diversity among and

between components within biological systems affects interactions with

the environment.

Chapter/Key Concepts

4.C.1. Variation in molecular units provides cells with a wider range of

functions.

3.4, 9.2, 10.3, 13.1, 15.5, 42.2, 49.1

4.C.2. Environmental factors influence the expression of the genotype in

an organism.

14.2, 19.3, 22.3, 30.4, 43.1

4.C.3. The level of variation in a population affects population dynamics.

7.5, 7.6, 19.1, 45.6, 47.1

Preface

7

Big Idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions

possess complex properties.

4.C.4. The diversity of species within an ecosystem may influence the

stability of the ecosystem.

45.6, 46.1

8

Preface

This OpenStax book is available for free at http://cnx.org/content/col12078/1.6

1 | THE STUDY OF LIFE

Figure 1.1 This NASA image is a composite of several satellite-based views of Earth. To make the whole-Earth image,

NASA scientists combine observations of different parts of the planet. (credit: NASA/GSFC/NOAA/USGS)

Chapter Outline

1.1: The Science of Biology

1.2: Themes and Concepts of Biology

Introduction

Viewed from space, Earth offers no clues about the diversity of life it harbors. The first forms of life on Earth are thought

be microorganisms that existed for billions of years in the ocean before plants and animals appeared. The mammals, birds,

and flowers that we see in modern times are mostly “recent” species, originating 130 to 200 million years ago. In fact, only

in the last 200,000 years have humans started looking like we do today.

Organisms evolve in response to each other. One of the best examples is disease causing organisms, which have to adapt

to overcome the defenses of the organisms they infect. One such organism that has evolved to specialize in infection in

humans is Plasmodium, the organism that causes malaria. Biologists use the process of science to learn about the world and

the organisms living in it. For example, people have suspected for quite some time that people with blood type O are less

likely to die from severe malaria. Now, a team of scientists have been able to explain why. By examining data from several

experiments, and by using both inductive and deductive reasoning, the scientists concluded that A and B type blood reacts

with a protein excreted by Plasmodium. This reaction causes severe illness. However, type O blood does not react with

the protein. You can read more (http://openstaxcollege.org/l/32plasmodium) about the response of type A and B blood

groups to infection by Plasmodium.

1.1 | The Science of Biology

In this section, you will explore the following questions:

•

What are the characteristics shared by the natural sciences?

•

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Chapter 1 | The Study of Life

9

Connection for AP® courses

Biology is the science that studies living organisms and their interactions with one another and with their environment. The

process of science attempts to describe and understand the nature of the universe by rational means. Science has many fields;

those fields related to the physical world, including biology, are considered natural sciences. All of the natural sciences

follow the laws of chemistry and physics. For example, when studying biology, you must remember living organisms obey

the laws of thermodynamics while using free energy and matter from the environment to carry out life processes that are

explored in later chapters, such as metabolism and reproduction.

Two types of logical reasoning are used in science: inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning

uses particular results to produce general scientific principles. Deductive reasoning uses logical thinking to predict results

by applying scientific principles or practices. The scientific method is a step-by-step process that consists of: making

observations, defining a problem, posing hypotheses, testing these hypotheses by designing and conducting investigations,

and drawing conclusions from data and results. Scientists then communicate their results to the scientific community.

Scientific theories are subject to revision as new information is collected.

The content presented in this section supports the Learning Objectives outlined in Big Idea 2 of the AP® Biology

Curriculum Framework. The Learning Objectives merge Essential Knowledge content with one or more of the seven

Science Practices. These objectives provide a transparent foundation for the AP® Biology course, along with inquiry-based

laboratory experiences, instructional activities, and AP® Exam questions.

Big Idea 2

Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to

reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.

Enduring

Understanding 2.A

Growth, reproduction and maintenance of living systems require free energy and matter.

Essential

Knowledge

2.A.1 All living systems require constant input of free energy.

Science Practice

6.4 The student can make claims and predictions about natural phenomena based on

scientific theories and models

Learning

Objectives

2.3 The student is able to predict how changes in free energy availability affect

organisms, populations and ecosystems.

(a)

(b)

Figure 1.2 Formerly called blue-green algae, these (a) cyanobacteria, shown here at 300x magnification under a light

microscope, are some of Earth’s oldest life forms. These (b) stromatolites along the shores of Lake Thetis in Western

Australia are ancient structures formed by the layering of cyanobacteria in shallow waters. (credit a: modification of

work by NASA; credit b: modification of work by Ruth Ellison; scale-bar data from Matt Russell)

What is biology? In simple terms, biology is the study of living organisms and their interactions with one another and their

environments. This is a very broad definition because the scope of biology is vast. Biologists may study anything from

the microscopic or submicroscopic view of a cell to ecosystems and the whole living planet (Figure 1.2). Listening to the

daily news, you will quickly realize how many aspects of biology are discussed every day. For example, recent news topics

10

Chapter 1 | The Study of Life

This OpenStax book is available for free at http://cnx.org/content/col12078/1.6