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