Biology Articles from across TeachingJobs
Biology is the study of the fascinating diversity of life as it has evolved and as it interacts and functions. Investigation of biological systems and their interactions, from cellular processes to ecosystem dynamics, has led to biological knowledge and understanding that enable us to explore and explain everyday observations, find solutions to biological issues, and understand the processes of biological continuity and change over time. Living systems, from the microscopic to the macroscopic scale, are interconnected and interact in complex ways. These systems are organised into hierarchical levels, or biological scales of organisation. At each level of organisation, distinct properties and functions develop as a result of interactions between components at the previous level of organisation. Classification is used to name organisms and group them into hierarchical categories based on shared characteristics. Living systems have mechanisms for maintaining stable internal conditions (homeostasis) despite changing external conditions. Living systems exist within ecosystems and are interdependent. Energy flows through ecosystems, from producers to consumers, while matter cycles between the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of the ecosystem. Changes in conditions affect the capacity of ecosystems to continue to support organisms. The theory of evolution by natural selection provides the most plausible and widely accepted explanation of the great diversity of life on Earth. Biological understanding has led to the development of technologies and applications that have benefited human society. Biological research is collaborative and competitive, and the knowledge generated is subject to ethical considerations.
