Biology Fundamentals

Branches of Biology

• Botany: study of plants and their interactions with the environment
• Zoology: study of animals and their interactions with the environment
• Microbiology: study of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi
• Ecology: study of the relationships between organisms and their environment
• Genetics: study of heredity, genes, and genetic variation
• Biochemistry: study of the chemical processes that occur within living organisms

Cell Biology

• Cell Structure:
  • Cell membrane: semi-permeable membrane that surrounds the cell
  • Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane
  • Nucleus: contains genetic material (DNA)
  • Mitochondria: generates energy for the cell
  • Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis
• Cellular Processes:
  • Photosynthesis: process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy
  • Respiration: process by which cells generate energy from glucose
  • Mitosis: process of cell division

Molecular Biology

• DNA Structure:
  • Double helix model: two strands of nucleotides twisted together
  • Nucleotides: building blocks of DNA (A, C, G, T)
• Gene Expression:
  • Transcription: process of creating RNA from DNA
  • Translation: process of creating protein from RNA
• Genetic Code:
  • Sequence of nucleotides determines amino acid sequence of proteins

Evolution and Diversity

• Evolution:
  • Change in species over time through natural selection and genetic drift
  • Fossil record: provides evidence of evolutionary history
• Species Diversity:
  • estimated 8.7 million species on Earth
  • Classification: grouping of organisms based on shared characteristics

Ecosystems and Ecology

• Ecosystem Components:
  • Producers: organisms that make their own food (plants, algae)
  • Consumers: organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms
  • Decomposers: organisms that break down dead organic matter
• Energy Flow:
  • Energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next through food chains
  • Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level

Biotechnology and Applications

• Biotechnology:
  • Use of biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives to make products
  • Examples: genetic engineering, vaccines, antibiotics
• Medical Applications:
  • Diagnosis and treatment of diseases using biological principles
  • Examples: gene therapy, cancer treatment, organ transplantation