I.  Section 1.4  What is Biology?

            A.  The Study of Life

            - Biology is the study of life.     

            - Branches of biology include; biochemistry, ecology, cell biology, genetics, evolutionary theory, microbiology, botany, zoology and physiology

            B.  Properties of Life

            - the seven properties of life are; cellular organization, homeostasis,  metabolism, responsiveness, reproduction, heredity and growth

                        1.  Cellular Organization

                        - the cell is the smallest unit capable of all life functions; enclosed in a thin membrane

                        2.  Homeostasis

                        - the maintenance of stable internal conditions in spite of changes in external

                        3.  Metabolism

                        - sum of all the chemical reactions carried out in an organism

                        - main source of energy is the sun

                        4.  Responsiveness

                        - living organisms respond to external environment

                        5.  Reproduction

                        - living things can reproduce or make more of their own kind

                        6.  Heredity

                        - passing on of traits to offspring; evolution is how inherited characteristics change over time.

                        7.  Growth

                        - all living things grow; when organisms grow and change it is development