Biology Branches and Cell Structure

Branches of Biology

• Botany: study of plants, including their structure, growth, evolution, and classification
• Zoology: study of animals, including their structure, growth, evolution, and classification
• Microbiology: study of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi
• Ecology: study of the interactions between organisms and their environment

Cell Biology

• Cell Structure:
  • Plasma membrane: separates cell from environment
  • Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside cell
  • Nucleus: contains genetic material (DNA)
  • Mitochondria: generate energy for cell
• Cellular Processes:
  • Metabolism: chemical reactions that occur within cell
  • Photosynthesis: process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy
  • Cell division: process by which cells reproduce

Genetics

• DNA Structure:
  • Double helix model: two strands of nucleotides twisted together
  • Nucleotides: building blocks of DNA, consisting of sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base
• Genetic Inheritance:
  • Mendel's laws: principles of inheritance, including segregation and independent assortment
  • Traits: characteristics inherited from parents, determined by genes

Evolution

• Theory of Evolution: process by which species change over time through natural selection
• Mechanisms of Evolution:
  • Mutation: change in DNA sequence
  • Gene flow: movement of genes from one population to another
  • Genetic drift: random change in gene frequency
  • Natural selection: process by which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce

Ecology and Ecosystems

• Ecosystem Components:
  • Biotic factors: living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms)
  • Abiotic factors: non-living components (light, temperature, water, soil)
• Energy Flow:
  • Producers: organisms that convert sunlight into energy (plants, algae)
  • Consumers: organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms
  • Decomposers: organisms that break down dead organic matter

Branches of Biology

• Botany is the study of plants, including their structure, growth, evolution, and classification.
• Zoology is the study of animals, including their structure, growth, evolution, and classification.
• Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
• Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.

Cell Biology

Cell Structure

• The plasma membrane separates the cell from its environment.
• Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance inside the cell.
• The nucleus contains genetic material (DNA).
• Mitochondria generate energy for the cell.

Cellular Processes

• Metabolism refers to the chemical reactions that occur within the cell.
• Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
• Cell division is the process by which cells reproduce.

Genetics

DNA Structure

• DNA is structured as a double helix model, with two strands of nucleotides twisted together.
• Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA, consisting of sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base.

Genetic Inheritance

• Mendel's laws are principles of inheritance, including segregation and independent assortment.
• Traits are characteristics inherited from parents, determined by genes.

Evolution

Theory of Evolution

• The theory of evolution is the process by which species change over time through natural selection.

Mechanisms of Evolution

• Mutation is a change in DNA sequence.
• Gene flow is the movement of genes from one population to another.
• Genetic drift is a random change in gene frequency.
• Natural selection is the process by which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Ecology and Ecosystems

Ecosystem Components

• Biotic factors are living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms).
• Abiotic factors are non-living components (light, temperature, water, soil).

Energy Flow

• Producers are organisms that convert sunlight into energy (plants, algae).
• Consumers are organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
• Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter.