Biology Overview and Branches

Definition: The study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment.
Branches:
- Cell Biology: Study of cells, their physiological properties, structures, organelles, interactions, and behaviors.
- Genetics: Study of heredity and variation in organisms, focusing on genes and DNA.
- Ecology: Study of interactions between organisms and their environment, including ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Evolutionary Biology: Study of the origins and changes in the diversity of life over time through natural selection and adaptation.
- Microbiology: Study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
Key Concepts:
- Homeostasis: The ability of living organisms to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.
- Metabolism: The chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life, including anabolism and catabolism.
- Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.
- Cell Theory: The theory that all living things are composed of cells, and cells are the basic unit of life.

Definition: The study of matter, its properties, composition, structure, and the changes it undergoes during chemical reactions.
Branches:
- Organic Chemistry: Study of carbon-containing compounds and their properties, reactions, and synthesis.
- Inorganic Chemistry: Study of inorganic compounds, typically those not containing carbon-hydrogen bonds.
- Physical Chemistry: Examines the physical principles underlying chemical systems, including thermodynamics and kinetics.
- Analytical Chemistry: Focuses on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of substances to determine their composition.
Key Concepts:
- Atoms and Molecules: Atoms are the basic units of matter; molecules consist of two or more atoms bonded together.
- Chemical Bonds:
  - Ionic Bonds: Formed through the transfer of electrons between atoms.
  - Covalent Bonds: Formed when atoms share electrons.
  - Hydrogen Bonds: Weak attractions between polar molecules.
- The Periodic Table: A tabular arrangement of elements organized by atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties.
- Acids and Bases: Acids donate protons (H+ ions) in solution, while bases accept protons; measured by pH scale.
Important Laws:
- Law of Conservation of Mass: Mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.
- Avogadro's Law: Equal volumes of gases at the same temperature and pressure contain an equal number of molecules.

Focuses on living organisms and their environmental interactions.
Key branches include:
- Cell Biology: Investigates the structure and function of cells, examining their organelles and behaviors.
- Genetics: Explores heredity, gene structure, and DNA variation in organisms.
- Ecology: Analyzes relationships within ecosystems and biodiversity among organisms.
- Evolutionary Biology: Studies life diversity changes over time, emphasizing natural selection and adaptation processes.
- Microbiology: Examines microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
Fundamental concepts include:
- Homeostasis: The capacity to regulate internal conditions despite external changes.
- Metabolism: Encompasses all chemical reactions for energy production and utilization, comprising anabolism (building up) and catabolism (breaking down).
- Photosynthesis: The mechanism by which green plants convert sunlight into food using chlorophyll.
- Cell Theory: Asserts that all living organisms consist of cells, which are the essential units of life.

Investigates matter, its properties, composition, and structural changes during chemical reactions.
Major branches encompass:
- Organic Chemistry: Focuses on the study of carbon-based compounds and their reactions.
- Inorganic Chemistry: Deals with inorganic compounds, generally excluding carbon-hydrogen bonds.
- Physical Chemistry: Examines underlying physical principles such as thermodynamics and kinetics impacting chemical systems.
- Analytical Chemistry: Conducts qualitative and quantitative assessments of substances for composition determination.
Core concepts involve:
- Atoms and Molecules: Atoms are the fundamental units of matter; molecules are formed from bonded atoms.
- Chemical Bonds:
  - Ionic Bonds result from electron transfer between atoms.
  - Covalent Bonds are formed through electron sharing.
  - Hydrogen Bonds represent weak attractions among polar molecules.
- The Periodic Table: Organizes elements by atomic number and chemical properties, illustrating periodic trends.
- Acids and Bases: Acids yield protons (H+ ions) in solutions; bases accept protons, with strength measurable on the pH scale.
Significant laws include:
- Law of Conservation of Mass: Mass remains constant in chemical reactions; it isn't created or destroyed.
- Avogadro's Law: Equal volumes of gases at the same temperature and pressure contain equal numbers of molecules.