Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – Exploring Life and Science
1.1 The Characteristics of Life
1.2 Humans Are Related to Other Animals
Chapter 2 – Chemistry of Life
2.1 From Atoms to Molecules
2.2 Water and Living Things
2.3 Molecules of Life
2.4 Carbohydrates
2.5 Lipids
2.6 Proteins
2.7 Nucleic Acids
Chapter 3 – Cell Structure and Function
3.1 What Is a Cell?
3.2 How Cells Are Organized
3.3 The Plasma Membrane and How Substances Cross It
3.4 The Nucleus and the Production of Proteins
3.5 The Cytoskeleton and Cell Movement
3.6 Mitochondria and Cellular Metabolism
Chapter 4 – Organization and Regulation of Body Systems
4.1 Types of Tissues
4.2 Connective Tissue Connects and Supports
4.3 Muscular Tissue Moves the Body
4.4 Nervous Tissue Communicates
4.5 Epithelial Tissue Protects
4.6 Cell Junctions
4.7 Integumentary System
4.8 Organ Systems
4.9 Homeostatis
Major Topic I - Cells
Chapter 1 – Exploring Life and Science
1.1 The Characteristics of Life
Living things share many characteristics. Living things, otherwise known as organisms, have levels of organization. These levels are ordered from smallest to largest:
Ÿ Atoms
Ÿ Molecules
Ÿ Cells
Ÿ Tissues
Ÿ Organs
Ÿ Organ Systems
Ÿ Organisms
Ÿ Populations
Ÿ Community
Ÿ Ecosystem
Ÿ Biosphere
Organisms also share other characteristics like taking material/energy from the environment, reproduction, growing and developing, homeostasis, response to stimuli and they all have a history of evolution and have adapted to a certain way of life.
1.2 Humans Are Related to Other Animals
Organisms are classified into groups. Humans are mammals, a type of vertebrate in the domain Eukarya. Humans are different from other mammals because they have highly developed brains, completely upright stances, creative languages, and an ability to use a wide variety of tools. We have a heritage and a wide variety of skills/values/beliefs/information that is passed down from each generation. Unlike other mammals, Humans threaten their own environment.
Chapter 2 – Chemistry of Life
2.1 From Atoms to Molecules
Matter is made up of elements, and each element consists of just one kind of atom. An atom’s weight is based on the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. An atom’s chemical properties depend on the number of electrons in the outer shell. Atoms react by forming ionic bonds or covalent bonds.
2.3 Molecules of Life
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids are macromolecules with specific functions in cells.
2.4 Carbohydrates
Ÿ Glucose is a 6-carbon sugar utilized by cells for quick energy. Complex carbohydrates are polysaccharides. Starch, glycogen, and cellulose are polysaccharides containing many glucose units.
Ÿ Plants store glucose as starch
Ÿ Animals store glucose as glycogen
Ÿ Cellulose forms plant cell walls and is fiber
2.5 Lipids
Fats and oils are used for long-term energy storage. They contain glycerol and three fatty acids. Fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated. In food, unsaturated fat is healthy for humans, but saturated fat should be eaten in moderation. Plasma membranes contain phospholipids. Testosterone and estrogen are steroids.
2.6 Proteins
Some proteins are structural, like keratin and collagen. Others are hormones or enzymes that speed up chemical reactions. Other proteins provide cell movement, enable muscle contraction or transport molecules in blood. Proteins are macromolecules with amino acid subunits.
2.7 Nucleic Acids
Nucleic acids are macromolecules composed of nucleotides. Examples are DNA and RNA. They are responsible for the storage of genetic information.
Chapter 3 – Cell Structure and Function
3.1 What Is a Cell?
Cells are the basic units of life. The reproduce from other cells, and are extremely small. Most need to be viewed while looking at them through a microscope.
3.2 How Cells Are Organized
The human cell is surrounded by a plasma membrane and has a central nucleus. Between the plasma membrane and the nucleus is the cytoplasm, which contains various organelles. Organelles in the cytoplasm have specific functions. See the Model of a Cell project for pictures of the various components.
3.3 The Plasma Membrane and How Substances Cross It
The plasma membrane is a bilayer that selectively regulates the passage of molecules and ions into and out of the cell. It also contains embedded proteins, which allow certain substances to cross the plasma membrane. Passage of molecules into or out of cells can be passive or active. Passive mechanisms are diffusion and facilitated transport. Active mechanisms are active transport and endocytosis and exocytosis.
3.4 The Nucleus and the Production of Proteins
The nucleus is the brain of the cell. The houses DNA and produces RNA in ribosomes. The endomembrane system contains the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, Golto apparatus, lysosomes and vesticles.
3.5 The Cytoskeleton and Cell Movement
The cytoskeleton consists of microtubules, actin filaments, and intermediate filaments that give cells their shape and allows organelles to move about the cell. Cilia and flagella, which contain mircrotubules, allow the cell to move.
3.6 Mitochondria and Cellular Metabolism
During cellular respiration, mitochondria convert the energy of glucose into the energy of ATP molecules.
A metabolic pathway is a series of reactions, each of which has its own enzyme. Enzymes speed reactions by forming an enzyme-substrate complex. Cellular respiration is the enzymatic breakdown of glucose to carbon dioxide and water.
If oxygen is not available in cells, the electron transport chain is inoperative, and fermentation occurs. Fermentation produces very little ATP. Lactate buildup puts the individual in oxygen deficit. Fermentation can create a burst of energy, but it doesn’t last long, and it causes a build-up of lactate. If fermentation continues for a length of time, death follows.
Chapter 4 – Organization and Regulation of Body Systems
4.1 Types of Tissues
The body contains four types of tissue. Connective, Muscular, Nervous and Epithelial
4.2 Connective Tissue Connects and Supports
o Fibrous connective tissue; matrix of tissue that protects and supports organs. Ligaments and tendons are also in this category
o Supportive connective tissue; cartilage
o Compact bone; shafts of long bone
o Spongy bone; ends of long bone
o Blood
o Lymph
4.3 Muscular Tissue Moves the Body
There are three types of muscular tissue: skeletal, smooth and cardiac
Skeletal and cardiac muscles are striated.
Cardiac and smooth muscle are involuntary
Skeletal muscle is found in internal organs
Cardiac muscle makes up the heart
4.4 Nervous Tissue Communicates
Nervous tissue is made up of neurons and several types of neuroglia.
Each neuron has dendrites, a cell body, and an axon. Axons conduct nerve impulses.
4.5 Epithelial Tissue Protects
Epithelial tissue covers the body and lines its cavities.
Types of simple epithelia are squamous, cuboidal, and columnar.
Certain of these tissues may have cilia or microvilli.
Stratified epithelia have many layers of cells, with only the bottom layer touching the basement membrane.
Glandular epithelia secretes a product either into ducts or into the blood.
4.6 Cell Junctions
Three types of junctions are common between epithelial cells:
Tight junctions are zipperlike fastenings between cells.
Adhesion junctions allow cells to stretch and bend.
Gap junctions allow small molecules and signal to pass between cells.
4.7 Integumentary System
Skin and its accessory organs comprise the integumentary system. Skin has two regions:
The epidermis contains stem cells, which produce new epithelial cells.
The dermis contains glands and hair follicles, nerve endings, blood vessels, and sensory receptors.
4.8 Organ Systems
Organs are categorized into six groups:
Transport
Maintenance
Control
Integumentary
Motor
Reproduction
4.9 HomeostatisHomeostasis is the relative constancy of the internal environment, which is tissue fluid and blood. All organ systems contribute to homeostasis.
