Biology: Cells and Genetics

Biology

Cells

• Basic units of life
• Consist of cell membrane, cytoplasm, and genetic material (DNA or RNA)
• Types:
  • Prokaryotic (no nucleus): bacteria, archaea
  • Eukaryotic (nucleus present): plants, animals, fungi, protists

Genetics

• Study of heredity and variation
• Key concepts:
  • DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): genetic material
  • Genes: sequences of DNA that code for traits
  • Chromosomes: thread-like structures carrying genes
  • Inheritance patterns: Mendel's laws

Evolution

• Change in species over time through natural selection and genetic drift
• Mechanisms:
  • Mutation: change in DNA sequence
  • Gene flow: exchange of genes between populations
  • Genetic drift: random change in gene frequency
  • Natural selection: survival and reproduction of individuals with favorable traits

Environmental Science

Ecosystems

• Communities of living and non-living components interacting in a specific environment
• Components:
  • Biotic: living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms)
  • Abiotic: non-living factors (light, temperature, water, soil)

Conservation Biology

• Study of preserving and protecting biodiversity
• Key concepts:
  • Habitat destruction: human activities leading to loss of natural habitats
  • Species extinction: permanent loss of a species
  • Endangered species: species at risk of extinction
  • Conservation strategies: habitat restoration, species reintroduction, protected areas

Human Impact on the Environment

• Human activities affecting the environment:
  • Pollution: release of harmful substances into the environment
  • Climate change: global warming and associated impacts
  • Resource depletion: overuse of natural resources
  • Deforestation: clearance of forests for human activities

Biology

Cells

• Cells are the basic units of life, consisting of a cell membrane, cytoplasm, and genetic material (DNA or RNA)
• Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, examples include bacteria and archaea
• Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, examples include plants, animals, fungi, and protists

Genetics

• Genetics is the study of heredity and variation
• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the genetic material that contains genes, which are sequences of DNA that code for traits
• Chromosomes are thread-like structures that carry genes
• Inheritance patterns are explained by Mendel's laws

Evolution

• Evolution is the change in species over time through natural selection and genetic drift
• Mutations occur when there is a change in DNA sequence
• Gene flow is the exchange of genes between populations
• Genetic drift is the random change in gene frequency
• Natural selection is the survival and reproduction of individuals with favorable traits

Environmental Science

Ecosystems

• Ecosystems are communities of living and non-living components interacting in a specific environment
• Biotic components include living organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms
• Abiotic components include non-living factors such as light, temperature, water, and soil

Conservation Biology

• Conservation biology is the study of preserving and protecting biodiversity
• Habitat destruction is the human activity that leads to the loss of natural habitats
• Species extinction is the permanent loss of a species
• Endangered species are species at risk of extinction
• Conservation strategies include habitat restoration, species reintroduction, and protected areas

Human Impact on the Environment

• Human activities affect the environment through pollution, climate change, resource depletion, and deforestation
• Pollution is the release of harmful substances into the environment
• Climate change is global warming and its associated impacts
• Resource depletion is the overuse of natural resources
• Deforestation is the clearance of forests for human activities

Test your knowledge of the basic units of life, including cell structure and types, as well as the fundamentals of genetics, including DNA, genes, and inheritance patterns.