Biology Resource Book Unit 1 English Medium

Resource Book G.C.E.
(Advanced Level) Biology
Introduction to Biology
Nature scope and importance of biology with

reference to challenges faced by the mankind
B iology is a Science which is focused on studying of living organisms. (Bios- Life,

logos ”study of”)
The conceptof “LIFE” is not easy to define. Still scientists are unable to provide an
acceptable definition for life.
“Life” is something special and unique which cannot be explained using laws of
chemistry and physics.
Biology is a subject which is very complex and vast. Hence for the convenience
of studying, it has been divided into three primary braches: Zoology (the study of
animals), Botany (study of plants) and Microbiology (study of microorganisms). Some
areas of study in these branches:
• Cell Biology (studying cells)
• Histology (studying tissues)
• Anatomy (studying about gross structure of the body)
• Physiology (studying function)
• Biochemistry (studying biological molecules)
• Genetics (studying inheritance)
• Ecology (studying environment)
G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Biology Resource Book
Issues pertaining to Biology
Understanding biological Diversity
At present our planet is rich in diversity. Life on earth formed around 3.8 billion
years ago. The first formed organisms are believed to be heterotrophic, anaerobic
prokaryotes. Since then the evolutionary process resulted in the extensive biodiversity
which exists in the biosphere now.
Scientists assume, based on their studies that there are about 10 to over 100 million
species in the world. There is a dynamic relationship between living world and the
inanimate world and each and every organism has a specific role in the environment
for existence of the Biosphere.
The variety of life on earth, the number of species of plants, animals and microorganisms,
the diversity of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the earth such as
deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse earth.
Understanding the human Body and its functions

When studying biology,especially by studying histology, anatomy of the human
body,one can gain the knowledge about the structure of the organs. This results
in understanding and appreciation of the organization of the human body and
understanding the functions of different organ systems and the relationship between
structure and functions.
Sustainable use and Management of natural resources and Environment

Natural resources are sources of materials and energy found naturally which are used
in everyday life and for economic development.
These natural resources are limited on earth. Due to the increase of growth rate of
human population, overuse of natural resources is taking place. It causes threat of
depletion of natural resources.
Due to over exploitation of natural resources, various environmental problems arise
such as;
• Environmental pollution
• Loss of Biodiversity
• Desertification
Hence to overcome the above problems management of natural resources and
Environment should be practiced. Knowledge of Biology is useful to bring about
remedies for the above problems.
Sustainable Food production

Sustainable food production is the production of sufficient amounts of food for the
Resource Book G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Biology
human population using environmentally safe methods.

The current human population is about 7 billion and expected to be double in less than
40 years. Therefore, for the survival of human beings sustainable food production is
necessary.
To maintain sustainable food production following methods can be applied, which are
based on knowledge in biology.
• Production of high yielding varieties of plants and animals.

• Production of disease resistant plants and animal varieties.
• Improve the post harvest technological methods.
Understanding plant life

Plants are the primary producers in the world. All the animals depend directly or
indirectly on plants. Therefore understanding plant life is important. As the time human
population is increasing we need to increase the productivity. Therefore understanding
plant function and biology is important to produce high yielding plants, disease
resistant plants, etc.
Understanding diseases and causes

To maintain healthy human body one should have the knowledge of causes of the
diseases and their effects.
Some dangerous diseases which exist in current world are non communicable diseases
such as cancers, heart diseases, diabetes, chronic renal diseases and communicable
diseases such as dengue, AIDS, etc.
Cancers- causes for this is not fully understood yet. Cancers are one of the leading
causes of death .
AIDS- is a viral disease which is a serious and growing health problem worldwide.
Heart diseases- This is also a serious and growing health problem worldwide. Causes
are not fully understood yet.
Chronic renal diseases- In Sri Lanka, recentlyCKDu has become a serious health
problem.
Currently scientists are working on prevention, remedial measures and cures for such
diseases.
G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Biology Resource Book
Solving some legal and ethical issues

Knowledge and application of biological concepts is important in solving some legal
issues, such as parentage testing, in criminal investigations and to solve immigration
disputes.
DNA fingerprinting is used in above circumstances.
The nature and the organizational patterns of the living world

In accordance with different criteria we can see a diversity among living organisms.
Organisms are diverse based on size, shape, form and habitats.
• Living organisms show a wide range of variation in size, shape, form and habitat.
• Size – Bacteria – 0.25 µm – 2 µm to Giant Sequoia (Giant Red Wood)– 100m
• Shape – Organisms are diverse in shape, Ex: Cylindrical (earth worm), streamline
shape(birds, fish)
• Form –Unicellular (Amoeba), multicellular (any plant or animal)
• Habitat – Terrestrial (Rat), aquatic (Fish), arboreal (Loris), aerial(Birds)
Characteristics of organisms
In order to survive, each organism whether simple or complex must be able to perform
certain functions. Following features are the characteristics of organisms.
(i) Order and organization
From molecular level to biosphere there is an order and organization in organisms to
perform their biological activities efficiently.
Lower level components are organized in a methodical pattern in upper level to make
it most efficient.e.g: plant leaf and human eyes.
(ii) Metabolism
The sum of all chemical activities taking place in an organism is its metabolism. It
includes catabolic reactions and anabolic reactions.
(iii) Growth and development

All organisms begin their life as a single cell. During growth an irreversible increase
in dry mass occurs, which is characterized only by the living. Irreversible changes that
occur during the life span of an organism is development.Growth and development are
two consequent processes that happen in the life span of organisms.
(iv) Irritability and coordination

Irritability is the ability to respond to stimuli from both internal and external environment.
Movement of organisms occurs as a result of irritability and coordination. In animals
Resource Book G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Biology
this happens as a result of coordinated efforts of nervous, hormonal, muscular and

skeletal systems
(v) Adaptation
Adaptation is a peculiarity of structure, physiology or behavior that promotes the
likelihood of an organism’s survival and reproduction in a particular environment.
E.g: Sunken stomata in Xerophytes, Viviparity in some mangroves, Splayed out foot
in camels.
(vi) Reproduction
Ability to produce offspring for continuous existence of species
(vii) Heredity & Evolution

Organisms have genes that pass from one generation to the next and control specific
physiological, morphological and behavioral characters of organisms.
Ability of organisms to change over time as a result of genetic modification is evolution
Many non living entities may have one or more of these characteristics but not all
of them e.g., crystals grow, waves move but only living organisms display all these
characteristics simultaneously or at some point during their life cycle.
By considering this it can be said that these are occurring in single celled organisms
as well as highly complex organisms such as humans and Anthophytes (flowering
plants).
Hierarchiel levels of organization of living things

The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life. Some organisms are unicellular
while others are multicellular.Cell is composed of several organells which are formed
by different organic molecules.Then hierarchieal levels of organization of living things
can be constructed by using relevant examples at each level.
Molecules,Organells, Cells, Tissues, Organs, Organ systems, Organisms, Populations,
Communities, Ecosystems, Biosphere

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Resource Book G.C.E.

(Advanced Level) Biology

Nature scope and importance of biology with

B iology is a Science which is focused on studying of living organisms. (Bios- Life,

Understanding the human Body and its functions

Sustainable use and Management of natural resources and Environment

Sustainable Food production

human population using environmentally safe methods.

• Production of high yielding varieties of plants and animals.

Understanding plant life

Understanding diseases and causes

Solving some legal and ethical issues

The nature and the organizational patterns of the living world

(iii) Growth and development

(iv) Irritability and coordination

this happens as a result of coordinated efforts of nervous, hormonal, muscular and

(vii) Heredity & Evolution

Hierarchiel levels of organization of living things

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