Download Big ideas in life science and biology - Science

BIG IDEAS
IN
LIFE SCIENCE
BIG IDEAS
IN
BIOLOGY
The process
of evolution drives the
diversity and unity of life.
Biological systems utilize
free energy and molecular
building blocks to grow, to
reproduce and to maintain
dynamic homeostasis.
Living systems store,
retrieve, transmit and
respond
to information essential to
life processes.
Biological systems interact,
and these systems and
their interactions possess
complex properties.
Organisms are diverse, yet
share similar characteristics.
Groups of organisms change
over time.
The structure and function
of organisms are
complementary.
Organisms operate on the
same physical principles as
the rest of the natural
world.
Although living things vary
greatly, they have many basic
similarities.
All organisms are made up of
tiny building blocks called
cells.
Every living thing is mainly
made up of water .
All organisms contain DNA.
All living things require
energy.
All living things reproduce to
produce more of their own
kind.
The characteristics of any
group of organisms change.
Change in groups of organisms
is different from growth and
development since it occurs
over many generations.
The human body is a complex
organization of many
systems— digestion,
circulation, respiration, and
others—all working together
for the overall health of the
individual.
The cell, the basic unit of all
life, contains smaller
organelles that assist in life
processes that are similar in
function to the larger
organism.
All organisms contain a
"blueprint" for their growth,
development and
maintenance, and physical
appearance in the DNA that is
contained in genes on their
chromosomes.
Ecosystems are composed of
biotic (plants, animals, fungi,
microbes) and abiotic (soils,
minerals, water, air)
components and are complex
interconnected systems.
Living things change over time
as a result of natural
mutations that occur in their
genomes and the process of
natural selection, and
evidence for this exists within
the fossil record.
Cells are the most basic unit of
life in living organisms.
All cells come from other cells.
Homeostasis is an organism's
ability to remain stable and
stay alive by making changes
to maintain equilibrium.
All life grows and changes
over long periods of time
through the processes of
evolution and natural
selection.
The interaction of living and
nonliving elements of nature
constitutes an ecosystem, and
each one of the interactions is
important to maintaining the
balance of the ecosystem.
DNA is a chemical code that
makes up the hereditary
material that is used to pass
traits on from parent to
offspring.
The scientific theory of cells,
also called cell theory, is a
fundamental organizing
principle of life on Earth.
Life can be organized in a
functional and structural
hierarchy.
Life is maintained by various
physiological functions
essential for growth,
reproduction, and
homeostasis.
The scientific theory of
evolution is the organizing
principle of life science.
The scientific theory of
evolution is supported by
multiple forms of evidence.
Natural selection is a primary
mechanism leading to change
over time in organisms.
Reproduction is characteristic
of living things and is essential
for the survival of species.
Genetic information is passed
from generation to generation
by DNA; DNA controls the
traits of an organism.
Changes in the DNA of an
organism can cause changes in
traits, and manipulation of
DNA in organisms has led to
genetically modified
organisms.
Plants and animals, including
humans, interact with and
depend upon each other and
their environment to satisfy
their basic needs.
Both human activities and
natural events can have major
impacts on the environment.
Energy flows from the sun
through producers to
consumers.
Living organisms acquire the
energy they need for life
processes through various
metabolic pathways
(photosynthesis and cellular
respiration).
Matter and energy are
recycled through cycles such
as the carbon cycle.