Intro to Genetics, Ecology and Evolution Biology 190

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Intro to Genetics, Ecology and Evolution(Biology
190)

• Dr. Ron Kaufmann
• kaufmann_at_sandiego.edu
• rkaufmann_at_gmail.com
• Facebook kaufmann_at_sandiego.edu
• Shiley Center 274 (x5904)
• Office Hrs Tu 230-430, We 130-430
• www.sandiego.edu/kaufmann/biol190/biol190.html

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• Characteristics of Biological Systems
• Order/Hierarchy
• Life is characterized by a high degree of order
• Biological systems can be organized into a
  hierarchy
• Emergent Properties
• The whole is more than the sum of its parts
• Arise from interactions between components
• Ex Bicycle/parts, Birth/death rates
• Reductionism vs. Holism
• Studying a system by studying its components
• Advantages?
• Disadvantages?

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Fig 1.4
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• Characteristics of Biological Systems
• Response to Environment
• Stimuli represent changes in environment
• Stimuli may be physical (light, sound, pressure,
  temperature) or chemical
• Energy Processing
• Chemical reactions make use of energy from
  environment or food
• Autotrophic vs. heterotrophic
• Provides fuel for growth, maintenance, and
  reproduction (metabolism)

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• Characteristics of Biological Systems
• Regulation
• Metabolic processes controlled to maintain
  homeostasis
• Feedback regulation may be
• Negative (Ex Glucose metabolism)
• Positive (Ex Blood clotting)

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Fig 1.13