Biology Introduction: Unit 1-Life Functions

1. What is Biology ?
Biology is the study
of life
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2. SO… WHAT IS LIFE
 Life is defined by a list of characteristics
organisms must possess to be considered
living.
 All living organisms contain the same life
functions although their means of
achieving them may be different
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3. Life Functions
1. Nutrition - activities of an organism, used to obtain materials
from the environment and process them for their use.
Two types of nutrition
Autotrophic Heterotrophic
Materials CO2 H 2O organic food
Light energy
Process Photosynthesis Ingest, digest, egestion
Organism Plants and algae other organisms
2. Transport - involves the absorption and
distribution of materials within an organism.
3. Respiration - includes the chemical process by
which an organism obtains energy (ATP) from its
food (Glucose). 3

4. Life Functions
4. Excretion - the removal of wastes produced
by cells during metabolic activities.
5. Synthesis - includes the chemical activities by
which an organism builds larger molecules from
smaller ones. (to Make)
6. Regulation - involves the control and
coordination of various activities in an organism.
(Nervous system and Endocrine system play a
role)
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5. Life Functions
 7. Growth - increases in cell size and/or
cell numbers.
 8. Reproduction - production of new
individuals. A species survival depends on
reproduction. An individual’s life does not.
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6. II. Important Terms
1. Metabolism - refers to all the life functions
needed to sustain life. Does not include
reproduction
2. Homeostasis - the maintenance of a stable
internal environment. (Regulation helps to achieve
Homeostasis)
• Your body systems are constantly adjusting to
maintain homeostasis.
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7. MR STRANGER
 M=Metabolism
 R= Respiration
 S= Synthesis
 T= Transport
 R= Regulation
 A= Ambulation (Locomotion)
 N=Nutrition
 G=Growth
 E=Excretion
 R= Reproduction 7