Biology Basics

Botany is the study of plants, including their structure, growth, and evolution
Zoology is the study of animals, including their structure, behavior, and evolution
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi

Cell membrane is the outermost layer of a cell, regulating what enters and leaves
Cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane, where metabolic processes occur
Nucleus is the control center of the cell, containing genetic material
Cells perform various functions, including metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli
Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and are typically small, simple cells
Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and are typically larger, more complex cells

Heredity is the transmission of traits from parents to offspring through genetic information
DNA is a double helix structure that contains the genetic code, determining an organism's traits
Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an individual, including genes and alleles
Phenotype refers to the physical expression of an individual's genotype, such as eye color or height

Natural selection is the process by which organisms adapt to their environment, leading to evolution
Speciation occurs when a new species forms, often as a result of geographic isolation
Fossil record provides evidence of past life forms, allowing us to understand evolution over time

Mechanics is the study of motion, forces, and energy, including kinematics and dynamics
Thermodynamics is the study of heat, temperature, and energy transfer, including energy conservation
Electromagnetism is the study of electricity, magnetism, and light, including electromagnetic waves

Kinematics describes the motion of objects, including position, velocity, and acceleration
Dynamics studies the forces that affect motion, including friction and gravity
Newton's laws describe the relationship between motion and force, including the law of universal gravitation

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy
Thermal energy is related to temperature, and electrical energy is related to the movement of charged particles
Energy conservation is the law that states energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted
Work is the transfer of energy from one object to another, and power is the rate of energy transfer

Mechanical waves require a medium, such as water or air, and include ocean waves and sound waves
Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium and include light, radio waves, and X-rays
Wave properties include frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and speed
Light and optics involve the study of reflection, refraction, diffraction, and lenses, including the behavior of light as it passes through different media