What are the 4 big ideas in biology and what are the main concepts?

Big Idea 1
Adaptation of the bat
Bats are mammals and closely related to us. Yet evolution can explain…
Diversity in form and function – What adaptations are found in the bat that make it so different from us?
Unity in evolutionary conservation – What characteristics do we share with the bat?
Diversity and Unity
The diversity of life arises by evolutionary change.
Categorization of all living things in domains and kingdoms
Classification of the black bear – classification broadens when more distant evolutionary relationships
Evolutionary conservation explains the unity of living systems.
Cilia with different functions have the same underlying structure (homologous structure) shows evolutionary conservation
Unity of life shown in a tree of life for all 2.3 million known species based on gene sequences and morphological data

Big Idea 2
Systems biology – model dynamic behavior of some part of a system
Form fits function – for these biological systems, how does form fit function?
Regulation – feedback systems
Negative feedback used to maintain homeostasis (Ex. Cruise control, thermostat, body temperature, blood sugar)
Positive feedback used to amplify processes (Ex. Melting glaciers and albedo, animals in a stampede, production of breast milk)

Big Idea 3
DNA – molecular basis of inheritance. How is information stored, copied, retrieved, and transmitted? Gene expression directs the development of an organism.
Bioinformatics – use of computers to store, organize, and analyze large amounts of data

Big Idea 4
Levels of Biological Organization – molecules to biosphere, emergent properties (Ex. Cells are the same, but the way they are put together determines a human versus a giraffe)
Interactions between systems – organ systems within the body
Interactions with physical environment – ecology and interactions with the abiotic environment