Theories_of_Biology

Theories of Biology Tina Smigelski SCI/230 August 19,2011 Gail Albritton Theories of Biology There are 7 different theories to Biology. I will list them and give a brief description of them. I will also provide an example of one of them and how they relate to the news of today. The first is Evolution by Natural Selection. This can be described in two different parts with the first trying to explain why there are so many different species and the second is how these species can evolve and change through generations. The second is Inheritance. This is where characteristics and traits are passed from one generation to the next by way of heredity or through the passing of genes. The third is Cells. All organisms come from cells which come from other preexisting cells. Each cell is capable of showing all the characteristics of life. The fourth is Biological Classification. Organizing and keeping track of different species by using similarities and differences to classify them. The fifth is Bioenergetics. This is the power or energy that life operates by. Also includes the chemical reactions in cells. The sixth is Homeostasis. This is an organism’s ability to tolerate a wide variety of external conditions by being able to maintain and stabilize internal conditions. The seventh is Ecosystems. This is where organisms function with other organisms and make up communities of different living environments which may include nonliving features. They interact with each other and may cause changes in other parts of their environment. One example of an Ecosystem is the melting ice in Antarctica which is affecting the Emperor Penguins there. The sea ice there is an important factor in the ecosystem since it is a feeding ground for tiny crustaceans that thrive on the algae that grows on the underside of the ice. The other animals such as the penguins, fish, seals, and whales use the crustaceans as a food source. With the drastic changes in the climate the ice is melting and there is less food sources. Penguins are slow to catch on to the necessary changes needed in order to keep them alive. They are long-lived organisms and adapt slowly. Other animals are able to adapt to the weather changes because of the type of species they are. If the penguins are able to adapt and change the timing of their breeding cycle they would be able to sustain the ever changing climate conditions. References (McLamb, 2011) (McLamb, http://ecology.com/ecology-today/2011/01/24/will-melting-sea-ice-bring-about-extinction-for-the-emperor-penguin-or-will-they-adapt/, January 24,2011) (Pruitt N. L., Bioinquiry: Making connections in biology (3rd ed.), 2006) CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY I certify that the attached paper is my original work. I am familiar with and acknowledge my responsibilities, which are part of the University of Phoenix Student Code of Academic Integrity. I affirm that any section of the paper which has been submitted previously is attributed and cited as such, and that this paper has not been submitted by anyone else. I have identified the sources of all information whether quoted verbatim or paraphrased, all images, and all quotations with citations and reference listings. Along with citations and reference listings, I have used quotation marks to identify quotations of fewer than 40 words and have used block indentation for quotations of 40 or more words. Nothing in this assignment violates copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property laws. I further agree that my name typed on the line below is intended to have, and shall have, the same validity as my handwritten signature.   Student's signature (name typed here is equivalent to a signature): Tina Smigelski