Biology Fundamentals

Study Notes

Human Body Systems

Circulatory System:
- Transports oxygen and nutrients to cells and removes waste products
- Components: heart, blood vessels, blood
- Functions: pumps blood, regulates body temperature, maintains blood pressure
Respiratory System:
- Brings oxygen into the body and removes carbon dioxide
- Components: lungs, trachea, bronchi, diaphragm
- Functions: inhales oxygen, exhales carbon dioxide, regulates pH levels
Digestive System:
- Breaks down food into nutrients for absorption and utilization
- Components: mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine
- Functions: mechanical and chemical digestion, absorption of nutrients

Cell Structure

Cell Membrane:
- Semi-permeable membrane that separates cell contents from the environment
- Functions: regulates what enters and leaves the cell, maintains cellular shape
Cell Organelles:
- Nucleus: contains genetic material (DNA)
- Mitochondria: generates energy for the cell (ATP)
- Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): transports proteins and lipids
- Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis
Cell Wall:
- Rigid outer layer that provides structural support and protection
- Found in plant cells, not animal cells

Plant Nutrition

Autotrophic Nutrition:
- Plants make their own food through photosynthesis
- Requires: light, water, carbon dioxide, chlorophyll
Heterotrophic Nutrition:
- Plants obtain food from other sources (e.g., insects, fungi)
- Examples: insectivorous plants, mycorrhizal fungi
Modes of Nutrition:
- Holozoic: ingests solid food particles (e.g., insects)
- Saprotrophic: absorbs nutrients from decaying organic matter

Ecosystems

Components:
- Biotic Factors: living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms)
- Abiotic Factors: non-living components (light, temperature, water, soil)
Energy Flow:
- Producers: convert sunlight into energy (e.g., plants)
- Consumers: obtain energy by consuming other organisms
- Decomposers: break down organic matter into nutrients
Ecosystem Services:
- Nutrient Cycling: decomposers recycle nutrients
- Pollination: transfer of pollen for plant reproduction
- Climate Regulation: ecosystems influence local climate conditions

Force and Motion

Types of Forces:
- Contact Force: force exerted through physical contact (e.g., friction, normal force)
- Non-Contact Force: force exerted without physical contact (e.g., gravity, magnetism)
Newton's Laws:
- First Law: an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will continue to move, unless acted upon by an external force
- Second Law: force is equal to the rate of change of momentum
- Third Law: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
Motion:
- Displacement: change in position of an object
- Velocity: rate of change of displacement
- Acceleration: rate of change of velocity

Description

Test your knowledge of biology basics, including human body systems, cell structure, plant nutrition, ecosystems, and force and motion. This quiz covers a range of topics essential for understanding the natural world.