INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

NAT 101

1.​ Biological Science CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS

-​ the study of living things; it is the science of life. Most living things can be distinguished readily from
We humans ourselves are living things. non-living by the following characteristics:
-​ Life refers to the properties and conditions
which distinguish a plant and animal from 1. Form and size
inorganic matter or dead organisms while we -​ Living things have characteristics form and size
define dead as deprived of life. within certain limits most of them are also
-​ so life is what animals and plants have when arranged as definite individuals, while in
they are not dead, and dead is what those same nonliving things, materials vary widely
organisms are when they lack life.
2. Organization
PRINCIPLES AND THEORIES ABOUT LIFE -​ Living things are made up of cells which are
All living things are called organisms. Organisms obey assembled into interrelated system for
the same laws of Physics and Chemistry. performing the life processes.
-​ They rearrange and combine the chemical
1. Vitalism elements for their need. Cells are the basic and
-​ according to this view, living things exist functional unit of life.
because they have been filled with Special
Forces called ethers Types of tissues in the human body
1. Epithelial Tissue – Skin
2. Mechanism -​ Covers and protects surfaces of the body.
-​ both living and nonliving obey the laws of
Physics and Chemistry 2. Connective Tissue – Bones, ligaments, joints,
Tendons, blood, fats (adipose)
3. Divine Creation Theory -​ Supports and connects different parts of the
-​ the belief that we were created by GOD in HIS body.
own image.
-​ life was put on earth by divine forces 3. Muscle Tissue ( Skeletal, Smooth, Cardiac Muscle)
-​ common to many of the world’s religions and -​ Helps the body move; including skeletal
cultures (voluntary), smooth (involuntary), and cardiac
(heart) muscles.
4. The Cell Theory
-​ Cell is the basic unit of life. 4. Nerve Cell ( Neurons and Glial Cells)
-​ All organisms are made up of cells. -​ Transmits signals in the body; includes neurons
-​ All cells came from pre-existing cells. (signal carriers) and glial cells (support cells).
Rudolf Virchow
Robert Hooke *Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis
Anton Van Leeuwenhoek
Matthias Schleiden (Botanist) SYSTEMS OF THE HUMAN BODY
Theodore Schwann (Zoologist)
1. Integumentary System
5. Spontaneous Generation Theory -​ The integumentary system includes the skin,
-​ Known as Abiogenesis theory. hair, nails, and associated glands. It serves as a
-​ The process by which life begins when ethers protective barrier, regulates temperature, and
enter non-living things and life started with provides sensory information.
anything without life
2. Muscular System
6. Biogenesis Theory -​ The muscular system is composed of skeletal,
-​ It is the principle that life comes only from life. cardiac, and smooth muscles. It enables body
-​ “Bio” means life and ”Genesis” means movement, maintains posture, and produces
beginning. heat through muscle contractions.
3. Skeletal System products from the body and regulates fluid and
-​ The skeletal system consists of bones, cartilage, electrolyte balance.
ligaments, and joints. It provides structural
support, protects vital organs, facilitates 12. Circulatory System
movement, and produces blood cells in bone -​ The circulatory system is often used
marrow. interchangeably with the cardiovascular system.
It encompasses the heart and blood vessels,
4. Digestive System facilitating the transport of blood and lymph
-​ The digestive system breaks down food into throughout the body.
nutrients that can be absorbed by the body. It
includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, RELATIONSHIPS EXIST IN THE ECOSYSTEM
intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
a. Mutualism both organisms benefited in the
5. Cardiovascular System relationship • Example: bee on a flower • TERMITE AND
-​ The cardiovascular system comprises the heart, ZOOFLAGELLATE (TRICHONYMPHA) •HERON ON A
blood vessels, and blood. It transports oxygen, CARABAO
nutrients, hormones, and waste products
throughout the body. b. Commensalism the type of relationship where one
organism benefits while other organism is unharmed or
6. Lymphatic System unaffected. •Example: orchids growing on a tree
-​ The lymphatic system is a network of vessels •HERON ON A CARABAO
and nodes that helps maintain fluid balance,
absorbs fats from the digestive tract, and plays a c. Predation is a relationship where organism is harmed
crucial role in immune defense. or killed while the other benefits Predator one that kills
other organism Prey one being killed in the relationship •
7. Nervous System Example: lynx and hare
-​ The nervous system includes the brain, spinal
cord, and nerves. It controls and coordinates d. Parasitism one organism acts as a parasite and a
body activities by transmitting signals between host that nourishes the parasites • Ectoparasitism the
different parts of the body. parasite lives outside the body of the host •
Endoparasitism the parasite lives within the body of the
8. Endocrine System host
-​ The endocrine system consists of glands that
secrete hormones into the bloodstream. It 3. Movement
regulates various bodily functions, including -​ Living things can move by themselves while non
metabolism, growth, and reproduction. living things can move with the help of an
external force.
9. Reproductive System -​ Phototropism- ability of plants to move branches
-​ The reproductive system is responsible for of the plant and search for light.
producing offspring. In males, it includes the -​ Gravitropism - due to gravity
testes and associated structures; in females, it
includes the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and 4. Growth and Life cycle
vagina. -​ Living things exhibit internal growth or
intussusceptions while nonliving things exhibit
10. Respiratory System external growth or accretion.
-​ The respiratory system includes the nose, -​ Living things grow by the development of new
throat, lungs, and airways. It is responsible for parts between or within older ones and may
the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide replace parts during life. Each individual has
between the body and the environment. definite life cycle-birth, growth and maturity, life
span and death. If non-living things grow, they
11. Urinary System do by external addition and there is no orderly
-​ The urinary system, comprising the kidneys, cycle of change.
ureters, bladder, and urethra, removes waste
 INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE
NAT 101

5. Metabolism a. Hippocrates who is called the Father of Medicine, he

-​ a. Anabolism is called as the constructive or stated that diseases have natural causes, and the body
building up of protoplasm from simple has the power to repair itself.
compounds and elements which are end –
products of digestion. b. Aristotle as Greatest Ancient Scientist who excelled in
-​ CO2 + H20 -------------→ C6H12O6 (Glucose) + making observations
O2 Example : photosynthesis
-​ c. Theophrastus as Aristotle’s student carried on pioneer
-​ b. Catabolism is the destructive or breaking studies on the nature of plants.
down phase. This involves the release of energy
by breaking food substance through respiration. 3. The Renaissance Period
• ATP- Adenosine Triphosphate (chief) 36-38 -​ This period took place during the 14th to 16th
• ADP – Adenosine diphosphate centuries. Curiosity about the structure of living
• NADH – Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide things was rekindled by artists such as:
• FADH2- Flavine adenine dinucleotide
a. Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo who made
6. Irritability (Responsiveness) accurate studies in plants, animals and human anatomy.
-​ Living things react to changes in the
environment. These act as stimuli that induce b. Andreas Vesalius published his book “ The Structure
responses by the organisms. Most animals have of the Human Body”
nervous system and they can respond to
stimulus faster. c. William Harvey He described the blood circulation in
-​ Homeostasis - the regulation and maintenance man which contributed to Physiology.
of a relatively constant set of conditions within
an organism 4. Modern Period
-​ This marked with the introduction of Microscope
7. Reproduction by Anton Van leeuwenhoek at the beginning of
-​ This is defined as the ability of the organism to the 17th century This was followed By:
create another one of the same kind. Living
things reproduce by using the materials within a. Robert Hooke he established the concept of the cell
their bodies, a characteristic which non-living theory , that according to him cell is like an empty
things do not have. chamber of monasteries.

HISTORY OF BIOLOGY b. Matthias Schleiden a botanist, who proposed that all

The history of biology can be summarized in Four plants are made of cells.
Stages namely:
c. Theodore Schwann a zoologist, who stated that all
1. The Primitive Period animals are made of cells.
-​ This period is characterized by uncritical
accumulation of information, mainly derived from d. Francesco Redi Experimentally disapproved the
the practical necessities of obtaining food, spontaneous origin of life from non- living matter.
materials for clothing and shelter, substances to
cure ailments, and necessary information about e. Carolus Linnaeus “The Father of Taxonomy”
the human body. During this period, the established the system of nomenclature in which all
accumulation of knowledge was not recorded. living things are arranged by genera and species.

2. The Classical Period f. Louis Pasteur “The Father of Modern Microbiology”

-​ This period began with the Greeks and laid the foundation of modern Microbiology. “
continued with the Romans. This was marked by Pasteurization” in milk.
great curiosity about natural phenomena and an
ability to organize biological knowledge and
record it.
 BRANCHES OF BIOLOGY 7. THORNS
-​ Sharp, pointed projections on plants that protect
1. Botany - study of pllants them from being eaten.
2. Zoology - study of animals
3. Pathology - study of diseases 8. INK, VENOM, AND OTHER POISONOUS
4. BIOCHEMISTRY - study of chemicals in living CHEMICALS
organisms :organic and inorganic compounds -​ Substances produced by some animals for
5. Phytopathology - study of plant diseases. defense or to capture prey.
6. Physiology - study of how living organisms function.
7. Taxonomy - science of classifying and naming living 9. FOUL ODORS : SKUNK
things. -​ Strong, unpleasant smells (like those from
8. Genetics - study of heredity and how traits are passed skunks) used as a defense mechanism against
from one generation to another. predators.
9. Pharmacology - study of drugs and their effects on
living organisms. SUMMARY • The study of living things is the focus of
10. Archaeology - study of past human activities through biological science. Since a dead creature lacks life, it
artifacts (man-made objects) and fossils (organic cannot be separated from one, a dead organism is said
remains like bones and teeth). to lack life. Living things have a variety of traits, including
11. Ecology - study of ecosystems and the relationships shape and size, organization, mobility, development and
between living organisms and their environment. life cycles, the capacity to adapt to environmental
12. Cytology - study of cells changes, a breakdown and regrowth phase, and the
13. Histology - study of tissues capacity to procreate.
14. Endocrinology - study of hormones and the
endocrine system. SUMMARY • Numerous theories and principles have
been used to explain the origin of life, such as vitalism,
ADAPTATION which holds that life only exists when special forces,
such as ether, are present. Other theories include
1. CAMOUFLAGE spontaneous generation, which holds that life begins
-​ Blending of animals to the colour of the with nothing, and biogenesis, which holds that life begins
environment to avoid detection. with anything that contains life. According to the divine
creation view, we were made in God's likeness.
2. COUNTER-SHADING According to the Cell Theory, the cell is the fundamental
-​ A coloration pattern (like in sharks and milkfish) building block of life, and according to the Mechanism
where the top is darker and the bottom is lighter, Principle, both living and non-living things are subject to
helping them avoid predators. the laws of physics and chemistry.

3. HIBERNATION SUMMARY • In addition, the history of biology can be

-​ Animals slow down their activities to conserve divided into four phases: the primitive stage, or ancient
energy during cold weather. period, during which there was no significant
accumulation of knowledge; the classical stage, which
4. ESTIVATION was characterized by curiosity about natural
-​ Animals slow down their activities to survive the phenomena; the Renaissance period, after which
heat during hot weather. curiosity was rekindled following the dark ages in
Europe; and the Modern period, which was ushered in
5. MIMICRY by the invention of the microscope in the seventeenth
-​ Animals imitate sounds or appearances of other century.
creatures to avoid predators or appear larger.

6. HORNS
-​ Hard, pointed structures on an animal's head
used for defense or fighting.