Biology Basics

Study Notes

The study of living organisms and their interactions with each other and their environment
Subfields:
- Botany: study of plants
- Zoology: study of animals
- Microbiology: study of microorganisms
- Ecology: study of interactions between organisms and their environment
Key concepts:
- Cells: basic units of life
- Genetics: study of heredity and variation
- Evolution: change in species over time
- Ecosystems: communities of living and non-living components

The study of the composition, properties, and reactions of matter
Subfields:
- Inorganic chemistry: study of non-living matter
- Organic chemistry: study of carbon-containing compounds
- Physical chemistry: study of chemical reactions and processes
- Biochemistry: study of chemical processes in living organisms
Key concepts:
- Atoms: building blocks of matter
- Molecules: groups of atoms bonded together
- Chemical reactions: changes in chemical bonds
- Periodic table: organized table of elements

The study of the fundamental laws of the universe and the behavior of energy and matter
Subfields:
- Mechanics: study of motion and forces
- Thermodynamics: study of heat and energy
- Electricity and magnetism: study of electric charges and currents
- Quantum mechanics: study of behavior of matter and energy at atomic and subatomic level
Key concepts:
- Newton's laws: laws of motion and universal gravitation
- Energy: capacity to do work
- Forces: pushes or pulls that cause motion or change
- Waves: periodic disturbances that transfer energy

Living organisms share common characteristics: grow, respond to stimuli, reproduce, metabolize, and maintain homeostasis
Levels of organization in biology: molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems
Botany: study of plant structure, growth, evolution, classification, and interactions with the environment
Zoology: study of animal structure, growth, evolution, classification, and interactions with the environment
Microbiology: study of microorganism structure, function, growth, evolution, and interactions with the environment
Ecology: study of interactions between organisms and their environment, including populations, communities, and ecosystems

Matter: anything that has mass and occupies space
Properties of matter: physical (e.g., color, texture) and chemical (e.g., flammability, reactivity)
Inorganic chemistry: study of non-living matter, including minerals, metals, and acids
Organic chemistry: study of carbon-containing compounds, including fossil fuels, pharmaceuticals, and biomolecules
Physical chemistry: study of chemical reactions, thermodynamics, and kinetics
Biochemistry: study of chemical processes in living organisms, including metabolism and enzyme function

Fundamental laws of the universe: laws of motion, gravity, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics
Types of energy: kinetic, potential, thermal, electrical, and chemical
Newton's laws:
- First law: law of inertia, objects at rest stay at rest, objects in motion stay in motion
- Second law: force is equal to mass times acceleration
- Third law: every action has an equal and opposite reaction
Types of forces: gravity, friction, normal, tension, air resistance, and thrust