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Chapter 1: The Study of Life - Advanced

Difficulty Level: Advanced Created by: CK-12


Is there a way to define life?

Scientifically, there is an actual definition of life. Living organisms must have certain characteristics. If they do not have these characteristics, are they living? This butterfly, like all other insects, animals, plants, and every other living organism, shares common characteristics with all life. What exactly does it mean to be alive? This concept will answer this question. These lessons will serve as an introduction to biology, discussing The Study of Life and fundamental Principles of Biology.

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Chapter Summary


How are the life sciences studied? The scientific method is the process by which biological information, like that of all other sciences, has been identified. This method has produced scientific theories and laws, including the cell theory and the theory of evolution. All life, from the smallest bacteria to the largest whale, and all other prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants and animals in between, have characteristics of life in common. All life responds to their environment, grows and changes, reproduces and has offspring, has a complex chemistry, maintains homeostasis, is built of structures called cells and passes their traits onto their offspring.

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Date Created:

Jun 30, 2013

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Feb 04, 2015
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