BIOL 1117 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Vasodilation, Dynamic Equilibrium, Emergence

• School: Northeastern University
• Department: Biology
• Course: BIOL 1117
• Professor: Christopher Richardson

Document Summary

Proteins, carbohydrates, fats and dna: cells and their organelles contain highly complex macromolecules, composed of atoms, atoms, the smallest particles with unique chemical identities. Reductionism: theory that a large, complex system such as the human body can be understood by studying its simpler components. Study part or process while other parts or processes are not allowed to change. Holism: emergent properties" of the whole organism that cannot be predicted from the properties of the separate parts (animals are more than the sum of their parts) recognizes importance of interactions. Study of the interaction among the parts to create a more complex whole. Variation is a very important part of understanding biological systems. Missing muscles, extra vertebrae, aorta branches: living things exhibit a higher level of organization than the non-living entities around them, cells are the smallest unit of life. Reactions creating bigger more complex molecules: catabolic. Widely measured in mammals and provides an important, standardized measure of energy expenditure.