BIOL 1001 Chapter : First Half Of Bio Ch 1 Class Notes
Document Summary
An introduction to life on earth: dictionary definition of life is: The quality that distinguishes a vital and functioning being from a dead body . Living things are more than the sum of their parts--- life is difficult to define: certain characteristics define life. Living things are complex and organized: salt: organized but simple (non-living, oceans: complex but unorganized (non-living, water flea: complex and organized (living) Living things respond to stimuli: organisms sense and respond to internal and external environmental stimuli. Sensory organs detect and respond to external stimuli. Plants and bacteria respond to stimuli as well. Attraction towards nutrients(ex: move towards sunlight b/c of photosynthesis) Living things maintain internal conditions: homeostasis: maintenance of relatively constant internal conditions. Body temperature (if you twitch b/c your cold, twitching generates heat) ph of blood(pretty much stays constant. Water concentration: automatic mechanisms maintain homeostasis. Metabolizing more food (your body can break down fructose better than sucrose)
