Mark Watrin : Science Coordinator ESD112

What every student should learn about Life Science

• What does it mean to be and stay alive?

• What role does each living organism play in the environment?

• How do we know if organisms are related? or• What is the evidence that all living organisms use a

common genetic information system?

ORDER + AThe Scientific Rules for being considered

Living

What does it mean to be and stay alive?

• O= Organized by Cells• R = Respond to stimuli from the environment• D= Develop and Grow• E= Obtain energy from the environment• R= Reproduce (the population if not the individual)

+• A = Adapt to changes in the environment

How do Living organisms fit into their Environment?

The Environment Super Store

• Aisle 1 Gas Exchange O2 CO2 • Caution 70% of this aisle is underwater

• Aisle 2 Building Materials C, O, H, N,

• Aisle 3 Energy Light Chemical

• Aisle 4 Variety Ca, Mg, Fe, K, P, ……..

Energy Flows though the Environment

Light Energy Chemical EnergyPlants (producers) Animals (consumers)

Bacteria (decomposers)

Heat Plants(speeds up energy flow) (consume what they produce)

Matter Cycles in the EnvironmentRock Carbon

Nitroge

n

How do we know if organisms are related?

Structural Similarities

Plants Animals• Spores no skeleton• Cones exoskeleton• Flowers inside skeleton

• Needles Scales• Broad Leaves Feather• Fur

Genetic Similarities

Genetic Similarities