Biology Basics

Ecology

• Study of the relationships between organisms and their environment
• Examines the interactions between biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components of ecosystems
• Key concepts:
  • Biodiversity: variety of species, genes, and ecosystems
  • Ecosystem services: benefits provided by ecosystems, such as air and water purification
  • Population dynamics: changes in population size and distribution over time
  • Community ecology: interactions between different species in an ecosystem
  • Ecosystem ecology: study of energy flow and nutrient cycling in ecosystems

Genetics

• Study of heredity, genes, and genetic variation
• Key concepts:
  • DNA: double helix structure, composed of nucleotides (A, C, G, and T)
  • Genotype: genetic makeup of an individual
  • Phenotype: physical and behavioral traits expressed by an individual
  • Mendelian inheritance: laws of inheritance, including segregation and independent assortment
  • Genetic variation: differences in DNA sequences between individuals and populations

Cell Biology

• Study of the structure, function, and behavior of cells
• Key concepts:
  • Cell membrane: semi-permeable membrane surrounding the cell
  • Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane
  • Organelles: specialized structures within the cell, such as mitochondria and ribosomes
  • Cell signaling: communication between cells, involving signaling molecules and receptors
  • Cell division: process of cell growth and reproduction, including mitosis and meiosis

Molecular Biology

• Study of the structure, function, and interactions of biological molecules
• Key concepts:
  • DNA replication: process of copying DNA before cell division
  • Transcription: process of creating RNA from DNA
  • Translation: process of creating proteins from RNA
  • Gene expression: regulation of gene activity, including transcriptional and post-transcriptional control
  • Protein structure and function: relationship between protein sequence, structure, and function

Evolution

• Study of the changes in the characteristics of populations of organisms over time
• Key concepts:
  • Natural selection: process by which populations adapt to their environment
  • Speciation: formation of new species from existing ones
  • Phylogeny: study of the evolutionary relationships between organisms
  • Fossil record: evidence of evolutionary history, including fossilized remains and geological data
  • Mechanisms of evolution: genetic drift, mutation, gene flow, and genetic hitchhiking

Learn about the fundamentals of biology, including ecology, genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, and evolution. Key concepts and principles that form the basis of biological understanding.