Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the mitochondria in a cell?
What is the primary function of the mitochondria in a cell?
What is the term for the process by which cells generate energy from glucose?
What is the term for the process by which cells generate energy from glucose?
What is the term for the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment?
What is the term for the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment?
What is the term for the building blocks of proteins?
What is the term for the building blocks of proteins?
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What is the term for the process of change in species over time?
What is the term for the process of change in species over time?
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What is the term for the study of the chemical processes in living organisms?
What is the term for the study of the chemical processes in living organisms?
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Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms (biotic factors) and their environment (_____________ factors).
Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms (biotic factors) and their environment (_____________ factors).
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A community of living and non-living components interacting with each other in a specific environment is known as an ______________.
A community of living and non-living components interacting with each other in a specific environment is known as an ______________.
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Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms, such as herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, are known as ______________.
Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms, such as herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, are known as ______________.
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The interaction between a predator and its prey is known as ______________.
The interaction between a predator and its prey is known as ______________.
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Organisms that break down dead organic matter, such as bacteria and fungi, are known as ______________.
Organisms that break down dead organic matter, such as bacteria and fungi, are known as ______________.
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A group of different species living in a specific area is known as a ______________.
A group of different species living in a specific area is known as a ______________.
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Study Notes
Branches of Biology
- Botany: study of plants
- Zoology: study of animals
- Microbiology: study of microorganisms
- Ecology: study of interactions between organisms and their environment
- Genetics: study of heredity and variation
- Molecular Biology: study of biological molecules and their interactions
- Biochemistry: study of chemical processes in living organisms
Cells
- Basic unit of life
- Components:
- Cell membrane: outer layer that separates cell from environment
- Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside cell membrane
- Nucleus: contains genetic material (DNA)
- Mitochondria: generate energy for cell
- Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis
Biomolecules
- Carbohydrates:
- Monosaccharides (e.g. glucose)
- Disaccharides (e.g. sucrose)
- Polysaccharides (e.g. cellulose)
- Proteins:
- Amino acid building blocks
- Primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures
- Lipids:
- Fats and oils
- Phospholipids (part of cell membrane)
- Nucleic Acids:
- DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
- RNA (ribonucleic acid)
Biological Processes
- Photosynthesis: process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy
- Respiration: process by which cells generate energy from glucose
- Mitosis: process of cell division that results in two daughter cells
- Meiosis: process of cell division that results in four gamete cells
- Evolution: process of change in species over time
Ecosystems
- Producers: organisms that produce their own food (e.g. plants)
- Consumers: organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms
- Decomposers: organisms that break down organic matter
- Food Chains: series of organisms that eat other organisms
- Food Webs: complex networks of food chains
Branches of Biology
- Botany is the study of plants
- Zoology is the study of animals
- Microbiology is the study of microorganisms
- Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment
- Genetics is the study of heredity and variation
- Molecular Biology is the study of biological molecules and their interactions
- Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes in living organisms
Cells
- Cells are the basic unit of life
- Cell membrane is the outer layer that separates the cell from the environment
- Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane
- Nucleus contains genetic material (DNA)
- Mitochondria generate energy for the cell
- Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis
Biomolecules
- Carbohydrates include monosaccharides (e.g. glucose), disaccharides (e.g. sucrose), and polysaccharides (e.g. cellulose)
- Proteins are made up of amino acid building blocks and have primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures
- Lipids include fats and oils, and phospholipids are part of the cell membrane
- Nucleic Acids include DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid)
Biological Processes
- Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy
- Respiration is the process by which cells generate energy from glucose
- Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two daughter cells
- Meiosis is the process of cell division that results in four gamete cells
- Evolution is the process of change in species over time
Ecosystems
- Producers are organisms that produce their own food (e.g. plants)
- Consumers are organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms
- Decomposers are organisms that break down organic matter
- Food Chains are series of organisms that eat other organisms
- Food Webs are complex networks of food chains
Ecology Definition
- Ecology is the study of relationships between living organisms (biotic factors) and their environment (abiotic factors).
Key Concepts
- An ecosystem consists of interacting living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components in a specific environment.
- Biotic factors include plants, animals, and microorganisms.
- Abiotic factors include light, temperature, water, and soil.
Ecosystem Components
Producers
- Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis, such as plants and algae.
Consumers
- Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms, including herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
Decomposers
- Organisms that break down dead organic matter, including bacteria and fungi.
Ecological Interactions
Predation
- Interaction between a predator and its prey.
Competition
- Interaction between individuals or species competing for the same resources.
Symbiosis
- Interaction between two or more species living in close proximity, including mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
Ecological Levels
Individual
- A single organism.
Population
- A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.
Community
- A group of different species living in a specific area.
Ecosystem
- A community of living and non-living components interacting with each other in a specific environment.
Biosphere
- The global sum of all ecosystems on Earth.
Ecological Principles
Energy Flow
- Energy flows through an ecosystem from producers to consumers and decomposers.
Nutrient Cycling
- Nutrients are recycled through an ecosystem through decomposition and reuse.
Carrying Capacity
- The maximum number of individuals that an ecosystem can support.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the fundamental branches of biology and cell components. From botany to molecular biology, see how well you understand the basics of life.
