Biology: Introduction to Cell Biology change

Definition and Branches

• Biology: the scientific study of life and living organisms
• Branches:
  • Botany: study of plants
  • Zoology: study of animals
  • Microbiology: study of microorganisms
  • Ecology: study of interactions between organisms and their environment

Cell Biology

• Cell: basic structural and functional unit of life
  • Cell membrane: semi-permeable membrane surrounding the cell
  • Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane
  • Nucleus: control center of the cell where DNA is stored
  • Organelles: specialized structures within the cell (e.g. mitochondria, ribosomes)

Genetics

• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid): molecule containing genetic information
  • Double helix structure
  • Composed of nucleotides (A, C, G, T)
• Genes: sequences of DNA that encode proteins
  • Expression: process of creating a protein from a gene
  • Inheritance: passing of genetic traits from parents to offspring

Evolution

• Theory of Evolution: process of change in species over time
  • Mechanisms:
    • Mutation: change in DNA sequence
    • Genetic drift: random change in gene frequency
    • Natural selection: survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits
  • Evidence:
    • Fossil record
    • Comparative anatomy and embryology
    • Molecular biology

Ecology

• Ecosystem: community of organisms and their environment
  • Energy flow: movement of energy through the ecosystem (producer, consumer, decomposer)
  • Nutrient cycling: recycling of nutrients (water, carbon, nitrogen)
  • Population dynamics: study of population growth and decline

Biological Molecules

• Carbohydrates: energy storage molecules (sugars, starches, cellulose)
• Proteins: structural and functional molecules (enzymes, hormones, structural proteins)
• Lipids: energy storage molecules (fats, oils)
• Nucleic acids: genetic material (DNA, RNA)

Biology

• Scientific study of life and living organisms
• Branches include Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, and Ecology

Cell Structure

Cell Membrane

• Semi-permeable membrane surrounding the cell

Cytoplasm

• Jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane

Nucleus

• Control center of the cell where DNA is stored

Organelles

• Specialized structures within the cell (e.g. mitochondria, ribosomes)

Genetics

DNA

• Molecule containing genetic information
• Double helix structure composed of nucleotides (A, C, G, T)

Genes

• Sequences of DNA that encode proteins
• Expression: process of creating a protein from a gene
• Inheritance: passing of genetic traits from parents to offspring

Evolution

Theory of Evolution

• Process of change in species over time

Mechanisms of Evolution

• Mutation: change in DNA sequence
• Genetic drift: random change in gene frequency
• Natural selection: survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits

Evidence for Evolution

• Fossil record
• Comparative anatomy and embryology
• Molecular biology

Ecology

Ecosystem

• Community of organisms and their environment

Energy Flow

• Movement of energy through the ecosystem (producer, consumer, decomposer)

Nutrient Cycling

• Recycling of nutrients (water, carbon, nitrogen)

Population Dynamics

• Study of population growth and decline

Biological Molecules

Carbohydrates

• Energy storage molecules (sugars, starches, cellulose)

Proteins

• Structural and functional molecules (enzymes, hormones, structural proteins)

Lipids

• Energy storage molecules (fats, oils)

Nucleic Acids

• Genetic material (DNA, RNA)

Learn about the basics of biology, including the definition and branches of biology, and the fundamental components of cell biology, such as cells, cell membranes, and cytoplasm. uodated description