What is Biology?

• Biology is the study of life.

• How do we define LIFE?

Characteristics of LifeAll living things:

• Consume material (food) needed for energy production.• Excrete waste products.• Are composed of at least 1 or more cells.• Are capable of growth.• Are capable of reproduction.• React to stimuli• Are capable of metabolism.• Are capable of some sort of movement.• Eventually cease to exist (die)

What do you know about….

• …the most important event in your life is

Gastrulation

• "It is not birth, marriage, or death, but gastrulation, which is truly the most important time in your life."

Lewis Wolpert (1986)

So you think you know….

• Asexual vs Sexual Asexual: no sex cells (gametes)

Sexual: involves sex cells (sperm and egg)Sperm + Egg = Zygote23 + 23 = 46

n + n = 2n Haploid Diploid

Do you know anything about…?

• Cloning• Stem cells• Identical twins• Fraternal twins• Genetic Engineering