Themes in the Study of Life

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Slide 16

Fig. 1-4

The biosphere

Communities

Populations

Organisms

Ecosystems

Organs and organ systems

Cells

Cell

Organelles

Atoms

Molecules

Tissues

10 µm

1 µm

50 µm

Slide 17

The biosphere

Communities

Populations

Organisms

Ecosystems

Fig. 1-4a

Slide 18

Fig. 1-4b

Organs and organ systems

Cells

Cell

Organelles

Atoms

Molecules

Tissues

10 µm

1 µm

50 µm

Slide 19

Fig. 1-4c

The biosphere

Slide 20

Fig. 1-4d

Ecosystems

Slide 21

Fig. 1-4e

Communities

Slide 22

Fig. 1-4f

Populations

Slide 23

Fig. 1-4g

Organisms

Slide 24

Fig. 1-4h

Organs and

organ systems

Slide 25

Fig. 1-4i

Tissues

50 µm

Slide 26

Fig. 1-4j

Cells

Cell

10 µm

Slide 27

Fig. 1-4k

1 µm

Organelles

Slide 28

Fig. 1-4l

Atoms

Molecules

Slide 29

Emergent Properties

Emergent properties result from the arrangement and interaction of parts within a system

Emergent properties characterize nonbiological entities as well

For example, a functioning bicycle emerges only when all of the necessary parts connect in the correct way

Slide 30

The Power and Limitations of Reductionism

Reductionism is the reduction of complex systems to simpler components that are more manageable to study

For example, the molecular structure of DNA

An understanding of biology balances reductionism with the study of emergent properties

For example, new understanding comes from studying the interactions of DNA with other molecules