Introduction to Biology - Online Tutor, Practice Problems & Exam Prep

Biology is the scientific study of life, derived from the Greek roots "bio" meaning life and "-ology" meaning study. Organisms can be classified as unicellular, consisting of a single cell, or multicellular, composed of multiple cells. Unicellular organisms are often microscopic, while multicellular organisms, like humans, are made up of trillions of cells. Understanding these classifications is essential for exploring the diverse forms of life on Earth and their fundamental characteristics.

Introduction to Biology Channel

Hi, everyone. Welcome to Biology Channel and Pearson Plus. My name is Jason, and I'm an experienced biologist and science educator. My job is to help you learn and understand the content in this course to prepare you for your exams, while also having some fun along the way. I have a master's degree in applied molecular biology and diverse career experiences including genetics research at Johns Hopkins University and many years of teaching as both a college professor and a professional tutor.

In this biology video-based course, we'll explore some of the most commonly taught topics, including biomolecules, cell structure and function, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, cell division, genetics, gene expression, and much more. We've strategically developed this course with you in mind to maximize your learning. Our video content is highly engaging and can be adapted to your class textbook. We have dozens of effective memory tools and mnemonics to help you remember critical info on your test. Also, every video has a downloadable lesson worksheet for you to print off, allowing you to follow along as you watch. There's simply no better way for you to learn and prepare for your exams.

If you have any questions along the way, post them in the comments section of any video and our team will get right back to you. So again, welcome to Biology Channel and Pearson Plus. We're super excited to have you here. So once you're all ready, let's get started.

Introduction to Biology

Hi there. Welcome to our biology course. My name is Jason, and I'll be your instructor. If you have any questions about the content in our videos, feel free to post them in the comments section of each video, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. Now that being said, let's go on and get started with our introduction to biology. And so, of course, we need to first define the term biology. And so biology can be defined as the scientific study of life, and we can tell simply by looking at the roots within the word biology. And so the prefix bio means life and the suffix -ology means the study of. And so if we take these two roots bio and ology, we can create the word biology and get a word that means the scientific study of life. And so notice down below in our image we have a reminder of this fact, and again the prefix bio means life and the suffix -ology means the study of.

Now, we all know that life is incredibly diverse. We can tell simply by walking outside or going to a zoo. And we know that there's all kinds of ocean life and many different types of plants and animals. However, what you may not know is that most life on Earth is actually way too small for our eyes to see. In fact, the smallest and the most basic fundamental unit of life is the cell. And moving forward in our course, we're going to talk a lot more about the structure and function of cells. Now, another term that you should be familiar with is the term organism. Now, organism is a very broad term that refers to any individual form of life. And because it refers to any form of life, it can be applied to all forms of life. So this means that the term organism applies to single-celled bacteria as well as you and me. And so, if we take a look at our image down below over here, you'll notice the diversity of life. From all of the different types of ocean life to fungi and polar bears, tigers, bacterial cells, plants, and insects. And so moving forward in our course, we'll be able to talk about some characteristics that apply to all types of life. But for now, this here concludes our brief introduction to Biology, and I'll see you all in our next video.

The area of science that studies life and its processes is called:

• A. Archeology
• B. Astronomy
• C. Geology
• D. Biology
• E. Anthropology

Unicellular vs. Multicellular

In this video, we're going to differentiate between unicellular and multicellular organisms. Now we know from our last lesson video that the term organism refers to any individual form of life. These living organisms can either be unicellular or multicellular. Unicellular organisms are forms of life that consist of just a single cell. We can see that because the root "uni" means one, and so, unicellular organisms consist of just one single cell. These unicellular organisms are usually so small that they can only be seen with microscopes. If we take a look at our image over here on the left-hand side, notice that you will find a microscope that is being used to visualize a unicellular organism or an organism that consists of just one single cell.

Multicellular organisms, on the other hand, are forms of life that consist of multiple cells. We can see this because the root "multi" means multiple or many. If we take a look at our image down below on the right-hand side, notice it's showing you a diagram of a human being. Humans are multicellular organisms because we consist of trillions of cells. Notice that it's showing you some of the different types of cells that can be found within humans, which makes humans multicellular.

This here concludes our brief lesson on unicellular and multicellular organisms, and we'll be able to get some practice applying these concepts as we move forward. So, I'll see you all in our next video.

All living organisms are ___________:

A) Eukaryotic.

B) Animals.

C) Multicellular.

D) Either uni- or multi-cellular.

• A. Eukaryotic
• B. Animals
• C. Multicellular
• D. Either uni- or multi-cellular

Here’s what students ask on this topic:

What is biology and why is it important?

Biology is the scientific study of life, derived from the Greek roots 'bio' meaning life and 'ology' meaning study. It encompasses the study of all living organisms, from the smallest bacteria to the largest whales, and includes their structure, function, growth, evolution, and interactions with their environment. Understanding biology is crucial because it helps us comprehend the natural world, develop medical advancements, improve agricultural practices, and address environmental issues. By studying biology, we gain insights into the mechanisms of life, which can lead to innovations in healthcare, biotechnology, and conservation efforts.

What is the difference between unicellular and multicellular organisms?

Unicellular organisms consist of a single cell, while multicellular organisms are composed of multiple cells. The term 'unicellular' comes from the root 'uni,' meaning one, indicating that these organisms are made up of just one cell. Examples include bacteria and many types of algae. These organisms are usually microscopic. On the other hand, 'multicellular' organisms, derived from the root 'multi,' meaning many, consist of numerous cells that work together. Humans, animals, and plants are examples of multicellular organisms, often comprising trillions of cells. This cellular organization allows for specialized functions and greater complexity.

What is an organism in biology?

An organism in biology refers to any individual form of life. This broad term encompasses all living entities, from single-celled bacteria to complex multicellular beings like humans. Organisms can be classified based on their cellular structure into unicellular (single-celled) and multicellular (multiple-celled) categories. Each organism, regardless of its complexity, exhibits characteristics of life such as growth, reproduction, response to stimuli, and metabolism. Understanding organisms and their interactions is fundamental to the study of biology, as it helps us explore the diversity and complexity of life on Earth.

Why are cells considered the fundamental unit of life?

Cells are considered the fundamental unit of life because they are the smallest structures capable of performing all the essential functions of life. These functions include metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to environmental stimuli. Every organism, whether unicellular or multicellular, is composed of cells. In unicellular organisms, a single cell performs all life processes, while in multicellular organisms, specialized cells work together to maintain the organism's overall function. The study of cells, known as cell biology, is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of life and the basis of health and disease.

How do multicellular organisms differ in complexity from unicellular organisms?

Multicellular organisms differ in complexity from unicellular organisms primarily due to their cellular organization and specialization. In unicellular organisms, a single cell performs all necessary life functions, making them relatively simple. In contrast, multicellular organisms consist of many cells that differentiate and specialize to perform specific functions. This cellular specialization allows for the development of complex tissues, organs, and systems, enabling multicellular organisms to perform more intricate and coordinated activities. This complexity allows multicellular organisms to adapt to a wider range of environments and perform more sophisticated behaviors compared to unicellular organisms.