Biology Fundamentals

Study Notes

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 relationships between organisms and their environment.

Cells

Cell Theory: All living organisms are composed of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Cell Structure: Cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, lysosomes, and golgi apparatus.
Cellular Processes: Metabolism, photosynthesis, respiration, and cell division (mitosis and meiosis).

Genetics

Mendel's Laws: Laws of inheritance, including the law of segregation, law of independent assortment, and law of dominance.
DNA Structure: Double helix model, with sugar and phosphate molecules making up the backbone, and nitrogenous bases (A, C, G, and T) forming the rungs.
Genetic Code: Sequence of nitrogenous bases that determines the amino acid sequence of proteins.

Evolution

Theory of Evolution: Species change over time through the process of natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
Mechanisms of Evolution: Natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
Evidence for Evolution: Fossil record, comparative anatomy, and molecular biology.

Ecosystems

Ecosystem Components: Producers (plants), consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores), and decomposers (bacteria, fungi).
Energy Flow: Energy from the sun is transferred from producers to consumers through food chains and food webs.
Ecosystem Services: Provisioning services (food, water, etc.), regulating services (climate regulation, etc.), and cultural services (recreation, etc.).

Description

Test your knowledge of the basics of biology, covering branches of biology, cells, genetics, evolution, and ecosystems. Learn about the different fields of study, cell structure and processes, genetic principles, and the mechanisms of evolution.