Basic Biological Principles and Cell Theory

Study Notes

Basic Biological Principles

Biology is the study of life, encompassing a vast range of organisms and their interactions with each other and the environment.
Key characteristics of living organisms include: organization, metabolism, growth and development, adaptation, response to stimuli, reproduction, and homeostasis.
These characteristics distinguish living entities from non-living matter.

Cell Theory

All living organisms are composed of cells.
Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life.
All cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Levels of Biological Organization

Atoms combine to form molecules.
Molecules assemble to form macromolecules.
Macromolecules interact to form organelles.
Organelles work together to form cells.
Similar cells unite to create tissues.
Tissues combine to form organs.
Organs work together as organ systems.
Organ systems, collectively, compose the entire organism.

Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells

Prokaryotic cells (e.g., bacteria) lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Eukaryotic cells (e.g., plants, animals) contain a nucleus and various membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus.
These differences reflect the complexity and evolutionary history of life.

Genetics and Heredity

Heredity is the transmission of traits from parents to offspring.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the hereditary material.
Genes, segments of DNA, determine traits.
Genetic information dictates the synthesis of proteins.
The process of transcription converts DNA into RNA, which in turn guides protein synthesis during translation.
Mitosis and meiosis are the two primary cell division mechanisms.
Mitosis produces identical daughter cells for growth and repair.
Meiosis produces gametes (sex cells) with half the number of chromosomes for sexual reproduction.
Mutations can arise from errors during DNA replication or exposures to mutagenic agents, potentially leading to variations in traits and susceptibility to diseases.

Evolution

Evolution is the change in heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.
Natural selection is a key mechanism of evolution, where advantageous traits increase in frequency over time.
Evolutionary relationships among organisms are demonstrated in phylogenetic trees.
Common ancestry is a fundamental concept of evolutionary biology.

Ecology

Ecology examines the interactions between organisms and their environment.
Organisms within an ecosystem are connected by various relationships, like predation and symbiosis.
Communities of organisms interact with physical factors to form distinct ecosystems.
Biomes, large-scale ecosystems categorized by climate and vegetation, display biodiversity of species and populations.
Abiotic (non-living) factors such as climate, sunlight, and water availability significantly impact ecosystems.
Understanding ecological relationships is important for conservation efforts.

Organisms and their classification

Classification systems organize the diversity of life into hierarchical groups, ranging from domains to species.
Modern classification systems reflect evolutionary relationships.
Different ways of classifying and naming organisms based on evolutionary relationships and shared characteristics, using universally accepted taxonomic names.
Common taxa include: kingdoms, phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species.

Energy flow in ecosystems

Energy flows through ecosystems via food chains/webs, beginning with producers (autotrophs) and passing through several trophic levels.
Energy is lost as heat with each transfer in the food chain.
Nutrients cycle through an ecosystem—from the environment to organisms and back—often in complex processes involving decomposers.

Human Biology

Human biology focuses on the structure, function, and development of the human body.
Understanding human biological processes is crucial for wellness and disease prevention.
The nervous and endocrine systems coordinate responses within the body.
The immune system defends against pathogens.
Cellular respiration is the primary process used by humans to liberate energy from food for bodily functions.

Description

This quiz covers fundamental biological concepts, including the characteristics of living organisms, cell theory, and levels of biological organization. Test your understanding of the essential principles that define life and cellular structure. Explore the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells as a key aspect of biology.