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Questions and Answers
Which branch of biology focuses on the study of microorganisms?
Which process involves the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration?
What is the study of the structure, growth, and function of plants, including their responses to the environment?
What is the term for the process by which cells become specialized to perform specific functions?
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Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of evolution?
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What is the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment?
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What is the process by which water moves through a plant, from the roots to the leaves, and is then released into the air as water vapor?
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What is the study of the structure, behavior, evolution, and taxonomy of animals?
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What is the study of the structure and function of cells, including cell membranes, cytoplasm, and organelles?
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What is the term for the process by which an organism's genetic information is passed from one generation to the next?
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Study Notes
Branches of Biology
- Botany: Study of plants, including their structure, growth, evolution, and taxonomy.
- Zoology: Study of animals, including their structure, behavior, evolution, and taxonomy.
- Microbiology: Study of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
- Ecology: Study of the relationships between organisms and their environment.
Cellular Biology
- Cell Structure: Cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, and organelles (e.g. mitochondria, chloroplasts).
- Cellular Processes: Photosynthesis, respiration, mitosis, and meiosis.
- Cellular Transport: Passive (diffusion, osmosis) and active transport (carrier proteins, pumps).
Genetics
- Mendelian Genetics: Laws of inheritance, including segregation, independent assortment, and dominance.
- Molecular Genetics: Structure and function of DNA, RNA, and proteins; genetic code and mutations.
Evolution
- Mechanisms of Evolution: Natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and mutation.
- Evidence for Evolution: Fossil record, comparative anatomy, and molecular biology.
Organismal Biology
- Plant Biology: Plant structure, growth, and function; photosynthesis and responses to environment.
- Animal Biology: Animal structure, function, and behavior; physiology and responses to environment.
Ecosystems and Ecology
- Ecosystem Components: Producers, consumers, decomposers, and abiotic factors.
- Ecosystem Processes: Energy flow, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem services.
- Ecological Interactions: Predator-prey, competition, symbiosis, and mutualism.
Branches of Biology
- Botany is the study of plants, including their structure, growth, evolution, and taxonomy.
- Zoology is the study of animals, including their structure, behavior, evolution, and taxonomy.
- Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
- Ecology is the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment.
Cellular Biology
Cell Structure
- A cell consists of a cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, and organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts.
Cellular Processes
- Photosynthesis is the process by which cells produce their own food using light energy.
- Respiration is the process by which cells generate energy from glucose.
- Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
- Meiosis is the process of cell division that results in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
Cellular Transport
- Passive transport involves the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
- Osmosis is the movement of water molecules into or out of a cell.
- Active transport involves the use of energy to move molecules against their concentration gradient.
- Carrier proteins and pumps are used in active transport.
Genetics
Mendelian Genetics
- The law of segregation states that each pair of alleles separates from each other during gamete formation.
- The law of independent assortment states that alleles for different genes are sorted independently of each other during gamete formation.
- The law of dominance states that one allele can be dominant over another allele.
Molecular Genetics
- DNA is the genetic material that contains the instructions for an organism's development and function.
- RNA is a molecule that is synthesized from DNA and carries genetic information.
- Proteins are molecules that perform specific functions in an organism.
- The genetic code is the set of rules that dictates how DNA sequence determines amino acid sequence.
- Mutations are changes to an organism's DNA sequence.
Evolution
Mechanisms of Evolution
- Natural selection is the process by which populations that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
- Genetic drift is the random change in allele frequency in a population.
- Gene flow is the movement of genes from one population to another.
- Mutation is a change in an organism's DNA sequence.
Evidence for Evolution
- The fossil record shows the history of life on Earth.
- Comparative anatomy shows the similarities and differences between organisms.
- Molecular biology provides evidence for evolution through the similarities and differences in DNA and protein sequences.
Organismal Biology
Plant Biology
- Plants have structures such as roots, stems, and leaves that allow them to grow and function.
- Photosynthesis is the process by which plants produce their own food using light energy.
- Plants respond to their environment through mechanisms such as tropisms and photoperiodism.
Animal Biology
- Animals have structures such as skin, muscles, and organs that allow them to function.
- Animals respond to their environment through mechanisms such as reflexes and behavior.
Ecosystems and Ecology
Ecosystem Components
- Producers are organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
- Consumers are organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
- Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter.
- Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem, such as light, temperature, and water.
Ecosystem Processes
- Energy flows from producers to consumers through the food chain.
- Nutrient cycling involves the movement of nutrients through an ecosystem.
- Ecosystem services include processes such as air and water purification.
Ecological Interactions
- Predator-prey interactions involve the relationship between predators and their prey.
- Competition involves the struggle for resources between different organisms.
- Symbiosis is a close and often long-term relationship between different species.
- Mutualism is a type of symbiosis that benefits both species.
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Description
Explore the different branches of biology, including botany, zoology, microbiology, and ecology, and learn about the basics of cell structure.
